Gregorius21778: Ghoul Succedaneum is a free role playing game supplement written and published by Kai Pütz a.k.a Gregorius21778 for use with Dark Streets & Darker Secrets. As such, it is covered by the Open Game License and some parts are considered to be Open Game Content as a result.
The supplement is available as a six-page PDF for free from DriveThruRPG. One page is the front cover, one the front matter, one is ads and one the Open Game License.
About the Ghouls that Dwell Below…. starts with excerpts from “Pickman’s Model” by H.P. Lovecraft. The supplement was inspired by the story, with the idea of creating ghoul-changelings that would be like Lovecraft’s ghouls, corpse eating man-things, not the vampire’s ghouls. A Different Heritage altered the Gifted Archetype into a character class that added gifts as it developed and this works with that.
Ghoul Succedaneum starts with the normal attributes and recovery roll. Special abilities can be taken from the Gifted or A Different Heritage, with suggestions as to how to do that.
Ghoul Special Abilities includes the ability to heal by eating flesh from a human corpse, a nasty bite, better abilities in darkness, something disturbing about them when others try to fight them, not being disturbed by carnage, decay or death, a horrific visage when desired, classed as an aberration and the ability to summon other ghouls. These can only be used a number of times an adventure as per the Supernatural Heritage rules.
Gregorius21778: Ghoul Succedaneum in Review
The PDF lacks bookmarks and is short enough that they are not needed. Navigation is fine. The text maintains a two-column format and a few minor errors were noticed. There are a number of pieces of black and white and colour stock art; presentation is very good, given the length.
This is a short, simple supplement that adds a new character option for DS&DS, though possibly an option other characters may find a trifle disturbing. Adventuring with someone who regards you as a potential food source, once that pesky life has been eliminated, may make others a bit cautious. Gregorius21778: Ghoul Succedaneum is a nice little supplement and it can be downloaded for free by clicking here.
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