Kindred Views of Ghouls		(From Liber des Goules)
BRUJAH		Old and wise Brujah make use of ghouls. Brujah prefer ghouls who are intelligent or reflexive rebels, and don't often plan beyond the act of ghouling itself. They may also ghoul human members of their gangs, but with the understanding that these people have proven themselves capable of running with the pack. Such people are also candidates for the Embrace. Sometimes Brujah make ghouls out of sheer laziness. The vampires become tired of continually veiling their words or speaking in double entendre, and ghoul their human companions to allow themselves to talk more freely.
GANGREL		Gangrel think ghouls have as much right to true immortality as vampires do, occasionally more so. Ghouls are the responsibility of the Regnants who create them, since ghouls are practically childer. Gangrel don't create ghouls very often, preferring to take responsibility only for themselves; one, with a number of ghouls in tow are usually active in city politics. Gangrel are most likely to make ghoul animals; their command of Animalism ensures a tight Bond with their beloved pets.
MALKAVIANS		Malkavians have no formal use for ghouls, but prefer their helpers to be somewhat off-balance. If a Kook's ghoul of choice is not slightly insane at first, the Malkavian rectifies that as quickly as possible. Malkavians seem to like ghouls but don't keep many of them, finding them a bother to keep track of. When a Malkavian does take a ghoul, he uses the resource to the fullest. Crazy doesn't mean inefficient. A Malkavian's Derangement is the key factor in how he treats his "toys." Those ghouls unfortunate enough to be chosen by extremely unstable vampires often have short lifespans.
NOSFERATU		These vampires have a hard time keeping ghouls until they are Blood Bound, and make use of Mask of 1000 Faces until they are. Most mortals just can't get past appearances. Nosferatu don't need human ghouls as much as the other clans do, but they use the ones they have extensively (there are secrets that not even the Nosferatu can learn without the aid of normal-looking pawns). Animal ghouls are often created as bodyguards, haven defenders, and messengers. They are also less likely to judge their masters by appearances. The notorious Nosferatu spawning pools embody the heights of animal ghoul making. Within these burbling cauldrons of foulness, sewer creatures batten on Nosferatu blood and mutate into the most efficient home security systems imaginable. Few intruding vampires, no matter how thoroughly they think they have done their research, are prepared for the monstrosities that a spawning pool can vomit forth. Nosferatu prize a certain profile among their human ghouls; detail-oriented people who have inquisitive minds and aggressive attitudes.
TOREADOR		Toreador are infamous for picking ghouls for aesthetic as opposed to strategic reasons - living artwork to keep around the haven. Looks aren't everything, though, even for the Toreador. Poseurs seeking secretaries, chauffeurs or any sort of "help" deliberately choose those who look plain or dowdy, but who can get the job done. Servants should not outshine their masters, after all. Artistes are more likely to need housekeepers or assistants who can keep havens from falling apart, and who won't touch the works in progress in the basement. Toreador as masters are a very mixed bag. Some disdain their ghouls as mere hired help. Others are protective employers. A few are imperiously cruel. They do, however, speak quite highly (even if it is with a surfeit of snide comments) of the joys of having Blood Bound ghouls to take care of things. For the most part this entails all the worldly duties normally taken care of in daylight hours (legalities, bills, banking, paying off parking tickets) that Toreador don't like to be bothered with.
TREMERE		When they can get them, old-fashioned Tremere prefer illiterate ghouls who are incapable of reading their precious grimoires. However, illiterates who are competant at the tasks set them aren't easy to find. Some Tremere select promising occult students for grunt work (especially work involving new Internet search vehicles and computerized library catalogs). They Blood Bond these agents as quickly as possible and liberally employ Dominate to ensure their loyalty. All Tremere who wish to create ghouls must have the permission of the local Regent, and must provide full dossiers on their would-be victims. Ghouls who are created without either are not tolerated. The offending Tremere is punished, and the unfortunate ghouls are executed.
VENTRUE		Of all Camarilla vampires, the Ventrue are the most fond of ghouls. Some have 10 or more at any given time. Ventrue choose their servants based on what they need to control. How well a potential ghouls takes orders is important as well. Some Ventrue jokingly compare the process of choosing a ghoul to that of an employer picking among job applicants. Ventrue tend to treat their ghouls very well, but are careful not to let them grow too close. Ghouls are employees in Venture eyes, which goes a long way towards preventing obsessive Regnant-Thrall relationships. Ventrue do, however, give more respect (and other rewards) to the highest achievers in their ghoulish broods, which can lead to fierce competition between ghouls. This competition has been known to turn deadly.
Return to Interesting Links and Items