Awwwwwww, thank you so much!! ❤️❤️ I’m so happy you like my ghoul types!

I LOVE ALL OF THESE SO MUCH!! I love the idea of big, bat like ghouls!! ❤️ You should write more of these, I’d love to hear your ideas for other types! These are so cool!!

If you don’t mind my joining in with what I do for mine for these three types!: :)

-I actually have a plant based type of ghoul element, too! I do Earth ghouls in three categories; Normal/Plains type, Stone (rock and mountains), and Forest! Forest ghouls are your plant elemental types. They live in HUUUUGE trees, are typically very short, and are one of the biggest populations in Hell.

-Light elemental ghouls are actually a hybrid in my works! Sunshine is one of them! :) Sun/light ghouls are a mix of a fire element and air element. Air ghouls are both weather and air based, and when mixed with fire you can get really cool hybrids! Sometimes they manifest as lightning, and sometimes they manifest as pure light! Sunshine, for example, has powers that can be used to make beams of light!

-I think the closest I have to any type of ‘night’ or ‘moon’ ghoul are various Aether ghouls! Aether as an element embodies a LOT of different powers. Aether ghouls can have gifts in anything from manipulating shadows, to healing, to seeing the paths of the universe, and to even melding space itself! So many Aether ghouls are drawn to celestial bodies like the moon, and work very well at night! They particularly adore our Moon on Earth because it affords them more magic during certain phases.

Seriously, you should write more of yours!! They are so cool and I’d love to see it!! Thank you for sharing!! :)

Omg, thank you so much!! <33 Hope you enjoy!!

This will definitely be a multi-part answer to go with each point as they all need some levels of elaboration. I went with a human guardian just to make it easier. All non-humans have their own ways of raising young.

Ghoul being raised by a non-clergy Human

1)Could a ghoul raised outside of the Clergy be introduced back into it?

Yes, but not without difficulties. You also have to consider if the human parent would be willing or wanting to join the clergy. Or the possibility that they are part of another Satanic faction, possibly a rival one. The Ministry would have to be careful in how and when it reveals itself before it even tries to recruit this ghoul.

Also you have to understand how delicate it can be to seperate a ghoul from it's family and pack. That's why band ghouls are carefully switched. Ghouls are pack beings, and kits naturally imprint immediately onto any parent figure. Imagine trying to separate a bear from its cubs, doesn't work as easy.

Another factor is it could be difficult to even get the ghoul to want to come willingly even if the human family does. Ghouls were sent to Earth to be the willing servants to demons. I can't imagine anyone would suddenly want to give up their comfortable life to suddenly play errand-ghoul to a pack of stuck up demon bloods.

All around a LOT of careful negotiation and cleaning up loose ends.

2) Could the reintroduced ghoul get along with other ghouls?

Depends on the individual ghouls. So yes and no.

The new ghoul will definitely smell weird and also know little to no ghoul communication, culture, or language. For clergy ghouls it's like talking to a human who was put into a ghoul body. It certainly causes confusion for most ghouls they will meet.

Admittedly, not all ghouls are friendly so there could be possible avoidance and hostility. Especially from ghouls used to old human mages, who tried taking ghoul forms before.

Others might be quick to be protective of their new friend and almost treat them like a kit. They are like one after all! They have to be taught how to speak Ghoulish, know all of their non verbal communication, and be introduced back into their specific elemental culture.

For the most part there is little to no conflict, as ghouls tend to help 'weaker' pack members whenever possible.

3) Could said ghoul also use their powers?

Yes, they can. However, they will definitely be very 'raw' and untrained. Most ghouls as kits have parents and other adult ghouls to teach them how to hone and strengthen their powers. This ghoul would have none, or bare minimum training outside of their own efforts. They will essentially be the elemental power equivalent to an adult in a child's swim lesson once they find a mentor.

Gonna mark this NSFW just in case, because we are talking about Ghoul Heat/Mating Cycles! 

Prompt undercut! Mild NSFW Talk! (18+ Only!)

Another National Geographic On Ghouls!! Love getting to expand on this tag!! 

Ghouls and Scent Marking Humans

Scent has always been an incredible part of ghoul territory and sense! And naturally, everyone and thing has a particular scent they carry. Inevitably, when you spend time with a ghoul for any reason you WILL carry their scent even if you don’t know it! 

That being said, there is a difference between carrying scent and being Marked. Like you asked, yes- if a particular human is scent MARKED other ghouls will leave them alone... for the most part. 

Scent marking is done very intentionally on items, territories, rooms, human, and even other ghouls! So a human will have a ghoul who rubs up against their necks and other parts of the body to be ‘claimed.’ This is entirely done for a number of reasons. 

1) Scent marked means that an item or person belongs to a ghoul pack and is, therefore, protected. So in Hell, that means if something should HAPPEN to this particular marked person or thing it means you will have angry ghouls who will retaliate should anything happen. 

2) All families, packs, or tribes carry a scent and it’s a ghoul way to recognize safe members of their community or individuals who carry favor. 

3) The scent on a human is definitely either a warning or a claim. A warning for other ghouls to stay away (for many reasons) OR the ghoul has claimed the human for companionship. 

Most of the time, this scent will make other ghouls back off from said human. Especially if it smells like a higher ranked or more powerful ghouls. Others can perceive this as a challenge. 

It’s very difficult for the human ministry of the clergy to really regulate and watch over when scenting happens- as humans can’t pick on the smells. But they try their best in order to keep in fighting from happening! 

If two ghouls fancy one human, and the human is scent marked, a challenge CAN and sometimes WILL happen. A ghoul can be bold enough to fight another ghoul for their human companion. It’s a messy, territorial nightmare and one the Ministry is NOT fond of. So you will often hear warnings to ignore or stop nuzzling from ghouls when it occurs. 

Just throwing a minor trigger warning for vague talks of body horror and injuries. 

I definitely think yes and no! 

Ghouls come from Hell so there are plenty of things that they see that could be described as way worse. Also, ghoul brains do not think the same way we do, so we could be considered ‘sensitive’ compared to them. 

I think they would be more affected by body horror either on a fellow ghoul OR a human they feel closely attached to. Anything that causes something unnatural and painful to happen to a member of their pack would be upsetting. 

Seeing a human do unnatural activities or taking strange forms DOES bother them, but not exactly the same reason it would bother us. We would more so have a confused or fear response because of our psychology. But a ghoul would more so be on edge because the behavior suggests a predatory being in the guise of a human. A ghoul would more so perceive a threat and be willing to fight while we would be more likely to get scared and run! 

typicaOoooh easing back in with some Ghoul Geographic! 

National Geographic on Ghouls - Skin and Genetic Mutations

(Quick note to remind that ghouls naturally have grey to black skin but a wide variety of hair and eye colors.) 

To answer your question, yes to all of these! And they are a lot more common in ghoul populations than in human! Whether this has to do with the ghoulish population having a bigger and more genetically diverse gene pool than humans is up for debate- and not something that can really be tested in the mortal world. 

All forms of these mutations exist, but are not evenly dispersed through out tribes and elements. Some are more common in one element than others.

For example, entire families in fire tribes can display melanism or forms of vitiligo. Melanism is also more common in Earth and certain Aether tribes. Likewise, Albinism is more commonly found in Air and OTHER Aether tribes. 

Water tribes tend to be more difficult to tell if they are present do to MANY variations of scale patterns and natural color. 

Melanism tends to be more difficult to spot in ghouls because they naturally have darker skin. The only true way to be sure on sight is if the ghoul also displays pitch black hair and often grey to brown eyes. 

Albinism is displayed with lighter grey skin with the typical red/pink to colorless eyes around the iris. The sclera tends to fade to a light color as well, over the typical ghoul grey and black. 

Vitiligo does occur as well! Some ghouls with darker skin can develop light grey patches, and those with lighter complexions can get paler patches as well. 

 The main cultural difference between humans and ghouls when it comes to these pigmentations is that humans tend to classify them scientifically, while ghouls just see them as purely hereditary. If a kit is born darker in families where that is common, it is just show that the kit proudly bares strong genetics, etc etc.  

He’d be very popular among Air and Fire ghouls for sure! :D 

-

National Geographic on Ghouls - Physical beauty Standards 

A few notes to make about Ghouls! 

Ghoulish beauty standards tend to lean more towards what is considered ideal from an evolutionary standpoint. So traits that make a ghoul attractive can be considered ones that are good genes that can be passed from ghoul to kit. Features that are good for survival or indicators of strong elemental prowess are prized in all ghouls. 

It’s important to note that many human standards of beauty are not shared or acknowledged by ghoul society. Traits that are valued by humans like facial structures, facial features, superficial builds, and even very specific body types aren’t usually considered when studying a ‘beautiful/handsome’ ghoul. Now these traits CAN be considered attractive to individual ghouls, but typically, these aren’t sought after in general ghoul culture. 

On the flip side, traits humans consider ‘ugly’ are also not viewed the same in ghoul society! Humans have a horrible habit of being picky about scars, birthmarks, wrinkles, or even certain body types. But to ghouls, these aren’t even regarded as remotely unattractive! It is found when conversing with many ghouls that ghouls typically rarely find ‘ugliness’ in others- ghoul or human. The only ‘ugly’ that has ever been recorded has been attributed to strong biases against enemy tribes/elements, scents of unethical magic and practices, or scars brought on by disgraceful acts.  

General:

Shiny and Thick Horns - Horns actually show a lot about a ghoul’s health and physical wellness. Healthier ghouls have very shiny or naturally covered horns. Thicker horns are just an aesthetic preference for many, as it can make a ghoul look more sturdy and stronger. 

Bigger, Sharper Teeth - Color of teeth is never a factor- Just that the jaws and teeth themselves look ready to be able to fight and tear down prey. 

Sharper, Long Claws - Self explanatory. Like Teeth, claws are a factor for tribes to consider a ghoul with strong genetic traits.  

Fire:

Long Hair/Facial Hair - This one might seem odd to many, but long hair is particularly treasured in fire ghoul tribes. Mainly because it is a physical testament to one’s control over their element. Even with control over it, fire can come back and bite a ghoul- hurting or even killing them. One of the consequences of not controlling your fire element is losing hair and eyebrows. So a fire ghoul with long that’s not SINGED is very attractive. On that same note, as not all fire tribes wear long hair, having any type of well groomed facial hair is also very attractive. Again, fire can easily give you a clean shave too close for comfort- so this falls in the same boat! 

Battle Scars - Scars that are won in battle, hunting, and other honorable activities are actually prized amongst many fire tribes! Marks are a lifelong testament to a fire ghoul’s ability to survive whatever is thrown at them! The more scars the harder it is believed to kill that ghoul!  

Medium/Short but Thick Horns - A common ritual between fire ghouls is to head butt and lock horns. Normally you might consider longer, bigger horns to be the preference. But those are seen as easier to break and damage. Also the thicker the horns, the stronger they are! Shiny Black horns are the common color preference among fire ghouls. 

Aether:

Tattoos, Body Art, and Piercings - A lot of Aether ghoul culture is based around individual ghoul’s tattoos and piercings. They are very symbolic of one’s family, tribe, and even rank. Usually by adulthood, Aether ghouls can have a huge array of piercings or ink on their bodies. An aether ghoul is expected to at some point make at least one distinctive tattoo on themselves. The steadier hand and more attention to detail is better. Nose rings or an abundance of ear piercings are a popular choice for many tribes. 

Otherworldly eye colors - The aether is the very blood of these tribes, and sometimes this shows up in Quintessence ghoul genetics. Once in a while you will get a ghoul kit born with purple, electric blue, or even almost white eyes! These are all colors associated with a direct link to their element and are considered an unblessing from the Aether itself. Alternatively, one tribe prizes an entirely black eye above all! 

Partially shaved heads - A very fashionable way to have your hair in most aether tribes is to have it partially shaved. HOW and WHERE on the head it’s shaved varies amongst individual tribes. Some prefer mohawk like styles, while others will only shave one side of the head. 

Earth:

Bigger body types - Normally body types aren’t a common preference amongst ghouls. But Earth ghouls, especially forest types, absolutely adore bigger body types. Whether that be curvier figures, plush bodies, big muscles, or just large all around. Some have speculated that this could be tied to the forest tribe, who values fertility and the bearing of kits. While this preference does have roots in fertility, it is not unique to admire on just kit bearing ghouls. Aether ghouls, who typically are bigger and thicker in stature, are very popular among earth types for this reason. 

Longer or curled horns - Opposite to fire ghouls, Earth ghouls value the longest horns or most complex of horns! The ideal horn set is either like those of a goat or a deer buck. Antler like horns are the ultimate signs of attractiveness amongst Stone ghouls. They are considered strong, pleasing to look at, and easier to decorate. Alternatively, many Earth tribes prefer very curled, satyr-like horns. 

A bare chest - While more so fashion focused than actually body types- a chest bare of clothing is the most common way to dress in Earth tribes. Typically only covered up if a kit or part of a mated pair. Bodies are normally celebrated and considered a sign of a stable, trusting tribe of one another. Also a good indicator of mate status or availability. Some tribes may cover their chests in necklaces and other decorations instead of wearing shirts when in more humid or warm climates. 

Water:

Long tails - Particularly valued in Oceanic tribes, long tails are very popular. Long tails can actually be beneficial when swimming and are regarded as aesthetically pleasing. Fresh water ghouls tend to prize thin, longer tails with shiny scales while oceanic tribes prefer them to be thicker with barbs and long fins.  

Colorful or Shiny Scales - Shiny scales usually show a ghoul who is in good health and are just amazing to look at in general. But colorful scales can be popular in freshwater and land locked tribes. Colorful scales and markings typically only come from a few tropic tribes located in remote parts of Hell. So a ghoul who has them will be hailed as amazingly stunning! 

Legs - Whether they are long dancer legs, or thicker athletic legs- water ghouls have a strong penchant for legs! Like with tails, this is to go with their ability to swim and travel in both water and on land. Long legs tend to be the favorite in oceanic tribes. Muscular or thicker legs are a preference in swamp tribes. Wardrobes designed to show off legs are the most functional and preferred in these tribes. 

Air: 

Long Ears - Air ghouls tend to hair longer ears. It is Air ghoul belief that longer ears means you can hear their element better- which is crucial for a ghoul to figure out their environment or weather patterns. The longer the ears, the more prized. Long ears with a slight curve back towards the head, like a bat, is particularly favored among many. 

Pronounced shoulders - The attraction to strong or pronounced shoulders comes from the old times of more ancient air ghouls, who had wings on their back. Their shoulder structures tended to be a bit more strong than other elements. Even though wings have been nearly wiped from the Air tribes, the appreciation for where they once rested has not. 

Softened face - This one is a rather weird one to explain. When a softer face is preferred, it does not mean not wrinkles or blemishes or anything of the sort. Rather, Air ghoul territories tend to be very harsh and it can make many air ghouls look stern or solemn. So a ghoul who tends to regularly have softer expressions or features is considered a rarity. But it’s also hard to have to not seem weak in one’s tribe.

These are going to be for the traits that are more personality and individual based, rather than anything like appearance! (I have a separate ask for physical ghoul traits that are desired, and that will be written next!)

---

National Geographic on Ghouls - Traits Valued in Mates

For every ghoul what is more attractive or desirable in a lifelong mate varies depending on the individual! But that doesn’t mean single tribe or element culture doesn’t play a huge role. The different elements all value certain traits more than others, and this often shows in individual mated pairs. To go through each element… 

Quintessence:

~Compassion - Many Quintesscence tribes are healers or those gifted with abilities to assist others. Because of this, aether ghouls tend to be regarded as the most empathetic and altruistic of the elements. Despite these ghouls still having a strong sense of self preservation, many do have the want to help others. This is a trait highly sought after in aether tribe partners and mates. It’s believed that a ghoul who will go out of their way for others will do this tenfold for their mates and kits. 

~ Mental Strength/Will - Despite its healing properties, the Aether (the actual element and matter) is VERY draining to work with. Not all quintessence ghouls can withstand powerful aether abilities. It takes an incredibly disciplined mind to be able to wield the Aether to its full potential. It is the hardest element to master and it has the potential to tear minds asunder and destroy sanity if not respected. It takes ghouls of iron will to master it AND to use it for good and not be corrupted by it. A ghoul that can master their own mind AND element is high sought after as a life partner! 

~ Family Oriented - Quintessence tribes are known for being small and close knit. Out of all the elements, aether ghouls are the most out numbered and the most scarce in Hell. So the individual tribes and families are instinctively protective of themselves and others. Because of this, mates are supposed to be loving and protective of their families. Your family is your greatest treasure and your mate is your other half to your very soul. Tribes and families are everything, and without them the aether ghouls would perish. A ghoul who unrightfully abandons their family is considered an outcast among the quintessence. 

Fire:

~Strength - Physical and mental strength have always played a huge part in fire ghoul culture. They are an element that prizes those who can defend themselves, their family, and even their tribe. Whether it be physically able to fight or having an exceptional talent for fire manipulation- warrior strength is praised. Fire ghouls are incredibly close knit, even if from an outside perspective it looks like they do nothing but bicker and squabble. Protecting oneself and your tribe is crucial and everyone is expected to contribute to this (on a side note, also why fire ghouls come off as super territorial of their loved ones.) A good mate should be strong and able to guard a nest and territory!  Which bleeds into the next trait...

~Willingness to Sacrifice of Protect Loved Ones - A ghoul is only as strong as their pack, and should therefore be willing to protect and sacrifice themselves for their loved ones. Especially held true for fire ghouls! Any ghoul who isn’t willing to do EVERYTHING they can to protect their partner(s) or kits isn’t worthy of being a mate. Loner and certain selfish mentalities are incredibly frowned upon for fire ghouls. 

~Iron Will (or stubbornness) - Perseverance is considered one of the most valuable assets a single ghoul can have in many fire tribes. The ability to be unwavering in the face of adversity or challenge. Giving up without a fight is considered disgraceful, and it is often why fire ghouls get into very stubborn fights amongst other elements and even themselves. But the way fire ghoul culture works is that you WANT to be a ghoul that doesn’t give up. You don’t drop your ideals, your goals, or what you hold close to you. Failure happens, but many will turn their backs on suitors that give up without even trying.  

Earth:

~Hard Work Ethic - a ghoul that is willing to work hard is valuable to both themselves and the tribe as a whole. Willing laziness (not due to illness or other difficulties) is borderline sin in all Earth tribes. Earth tribes tend to have a lot of agriculture or other manual labor needs due to their environment. So ghouls who go out and work hard in any way (labor, kit raising, nursing, or even mental labor) are valued in their tribes. A ghoul not willing to pull their weight shows that they aren’t willing to do anything important for their mate or kits. 

~Trustworthiness - Breaking an Earth ghoul’s trust is pretty much the end of ever being friendly with that ghoul ever again. Earth ghouls are NOTORIOUS for holding centuries long grudges when it comes to betrayal. But Earth ghouls will ALWAYS keep their word. Whether it’s keeping secrets, coming through with promises/favors, or being (bluntly) honest- a trustworthy ghoul is impeccable mate material. Stone ghouls are also well known for ending mateships over acts of betrayal and are often stubborn in forgiving these transgressions. 

~Patience - Patience is what keeps many ghouls safe and what helps make good decisions. In Hell, jumping into something without thinking it through can be fatal. Not to mention, their element surrounds growth and needing to sit back and let things form. It’s very rare to see an angry Earth ghoul lash out, and this tends to be why. Patience is virtue for all branches of the Earth ghouls. Waiting and growing is what helps cultivate good relations and understanding with others. It’s also what makes many Earth ghouls very proficient in learning their element and even being masters at various trades! Earth ghouls have always had a huge emphasis on kit raising, as well.. And trust me, kits need a lot of patience and understanding as they grow. 

Water:

~ Loyalty - Another element known for its collective togetherness. While most oceanic tribes tend to only be loyal to immediate tribe mates and family, freshwater tribes have been known to be powerful allies and friends to others if their trust is won. As such, loyalty shown by an individual ghoul makes them a considerably attractive mate. A ghoul that does not turn their back on friends and allies alike will definitely not do so in a bond. A ghoul in water tribes has many loyalties, and this can show potential mates their integrity to themselves and their future family. 

~ Respect - Mutual respect between ghouls has been important in all tribes of all elements, but water tribes tend to rely on it heavily. Respect can be found in many forms. Most commonly this is towards elder ghouls and parents. But having courtesy and extending friendship to allies, ghouls of other tribes, friends, and even kits goes a long way. The most attractive of this being respect towards oneself. Water ghouls often find self deprecation off putting and strange, and normally only see it in humans. A ghoul that does not respect themselves can be expected to be walked over and overlooked. 

~ Genuineness - Despite how emotions tend to be death sentences for certain tribes in dangerous areas of Hell, many freshwater ghouls embrace a sense of openness and sincerity among their fellows. Often accused of being the most emotionally vulnerable, after quintessence ghouls, water ghouls have pride in their emotional and moral honesty. While this is normally only displayed between families and friends (and not random strangers) water ghouls have been known to be effective communicators and moral compasses. It is why many water ghouls have been used as good peacekeepers among other tribes. Because of this, mates are generally expected to carry this openness with each other. Mate candidates that hide their feelings or true intentions are often thought of to be untrustworthy or not ready to commit, and often get over looked. 

Air: 

~Intelligence - In Air tribe cultures physical strength is simply not enough to survive or show your worth. Granted, a physically strong and elementally powerful ghoul ALWAYS makes for an attractive partner. But intelligence and cunning is a crucial part of survival in air elemental territories. Air ghouls are known for living in some of the most harsh and conflict having environments. One needs fast thinking, knowledge of the area, and a sound mind to make it in such hard areas. So to have a mate that is quick on their feet is considered invaluable. 

~Calmness - In several different meanings. Air ghouls value those mates who can master their own emotions. Not to say air ghouls are inherently emotionless, rather they don’t believe in letting feelings cloud their judgement or rule their lives (which can come off as cold and heartless to other tribes.) But a ghoul who lets their emotion control them is either a fool or will end up dead in Air Territory.

  ~Confidence - While it comes across as haughty and horribly arrogant to many humans and ghouls alike, confidence is a key trait in Air ghoul courtship. Granted, any suitor will be put to the test on whether this arrogance is earned. But a successful mate will be confident in their abilities and how great they are as a mate. While it’s preferred among air ghouls to be show and not tell with one’s confidence, a ghoul that can hold their head high is considered immensely attractive. Though, on the flip side, if a ghoul is thought to be cocky and NOT have the skills or wits to back it up they are more likely to be publicly humiliated. A common courtship ritual is for two air ghouls to pick each other apart to make sure one isn’t just lying to make themselves look better.

Gonna break these up into sections! 

How long is the gestation period for ghoul kits? 

Biologically, ghouls have a lot more development needs than humans in general. They have more features and need more time to grow before they are born. This includes tails, horns, and even early milk teeth! 

Kits typically gestate for around twelve to fourteen months. 

There is also an old superstition that the longer the gestation the stronger the ghoul will be when they are older! 

How old do Ghouls typically live?

If a Ghoul is left alone and not killed by other ghouls or the dangers of Hell? A thousand years or even more! The closer a ghoul is, blood wise, to the very first ghouls the longer they are likely to reach this age! 

Ghouls actually don’t physically age the way we do after our adult peak. Yes, they physically get older but few ghouls physically degenerate like a human would. Ghouls can get grey hair and wrinkles, but their muscles do not decline. If anything, ghouls tend to be more POWERFUL with age! 

Band Ghoul Ages? 

It’s hard to get an EXACT number, but here is the rough estimate!

Air - 1,100 years and the oldest living ghoul on Earth! 

Omega - Roughly 750 years. 

Tall/OG Earth and Alpha - 675 years

Special, OG Water, Chair - 600 years

Ifrit, Aether, Swiss, Cumulus - 500 years

Mist, Cirrus, Mountain - 475 years

Water, Ember - 400 years

Rain, Small Earth - 350 years

Whoever you are, we definitely need to chat because I love talking about ghoul things with others! <3 

--

National Geographic on Ghouls - Birthdays

Ghouls actually do NOT celebrate birthdays the way humans do, nor do they view it as important! There are a few reasons for this.

~Time works differently in Hell than it does on Earth. Years often stretch out LONGER in the Pit than what we are familiar with. There are also very forms of time keeping that are not seasonal and instinctual. So there is not a whole lot of need to track such things.  Especially when you are on Earth. There is no real way to translate exact dates from Hell to Earth- only something a bit more broad like seasons. 

~Ghouls live too long! Ghouls can live as long as a thousand years old, so birthdays can be difficult to track after your first hundred years. Humans have a difficult enough time remembering their own age, imagine remembering it after a couple hundred years!  After a while the thrill of celebrating your birth just fades.

~Culturally, there is no point! Hell can be an incredibly brutal scape to live in, and for many small tribes- every day is a celebration that you are alive. What is the point for having one day where it is dedicated to your being? Should you not be grateful that you were born at all?

~And most importantly, ghouls are usually all born around the same time anyway. Ghoul kits tend to be born in groups due to mating seasons, where many ghouls are pregnant at the same time. Often tribes will have mass births and increase in numbers. So to have a birthday would more like being celebrating you and your hundreds of cousins coming into being on the same week. 

That doesn’t mean there aren’t alternatives to birthdays! 

Many ghoul tribes, mainly those in Earth and Fresh water clans, have yearly celebrations of life. They tend to vary in their purpose, but they are typically celebrated before and after mating season. This is important as a thanks to Lucifer and the powers that be for healthy and long living tribes! 

The human Clergy has a similar but slightly different way to celebrate Ghouls. Instead of a general birthday, small abbys with a select number of ghouls sometimes throw a beloved ghoul a ‘Summoning Day’ party! Though this has only started to become a trend in the last twenty years. Higher Ranking Ministry tends to look down upon any type of favoritism or defining aspects of ghouls. 

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand some ghouls just aren’t comfortable with being reminded that they are stuck on Earth as glorified servents. That doesn’t stop other ghouls from being grateful for the kind gestures and shows of love and appreciation!

(Trigger warning for talks about Kit mortality and other such subjects!)

I had no idea that was even a thing with rabbits, but I could definitely see it with ghoulettes! 

There is so much that could go wrong when it comes to conceiving and birthing kits! Hell is a very dangerous place, even if ghouls know how to survive and navigate it. So evolutionary wise it was probably better that ghouls had more control over their pregnancies. I already imagine kits are difficult to conceive for a number of reasons. So for one to come full term and be born faces so many different challenges. 

On the subject of abandoned or unwanted kits... Unfortunately, for some tribes, abandoning sick or malformed kits is very common practice. Usually thought to be for the better of the tribe and sharing limited resources. This is thankfully only more common during rare times of conflict or starvation. 

Earth, Water, and Quintessence ghouls have a huge tendency to adopt random abandoned kits. And it’s super common for same sex ghoul couples/polycules to adopt or find a surrogate to produce a kit!  Usually a kit is only ever abandoned when no ghoul can take the baby. 

National Geographic on Ghouls - Interspecies Relations 

(If there is a species you’d like me to cover that hasn’t been listed here, feel free to send me ideas!)

Ghouls are a species that are constantly exposed to others regularly. Namely ghoul relations are limited to angels/holy beings, humans and demons/Hell beings. But that does not mean they haven’t had their share of run ins with other supernatural creatures! It’s easiest to break them down by species and how these occurrences usually end. 

Angels: Angels are to God as Demons and Ghouls are to Lucifer. Mortal enemies. An Archangel's mere PRESENCE can harm lesser, weaker ghouls. Nothing good ever comes from these encounters. They were both created with a need to oppose the other.

Humans: Considered standard knowledge that can be elaborated on another time, as humans are anything but fantastical! 

Demons: Ghouls have a long and turbulent history with demons. Even though demons and ghouls are both children of Hell and Lucifer, they are not the same by any means. Namely because demons tend to be more powerful, singular creatures who have closer ties to Hell and better claim on territory. A single demon is very, very dangerous and could wipe out entire tribes of ghouls! 

Demons, unlike ghouls, typically do not thrive in typical communities- as there are far more ghouls and humans then there are major demons. That, and demons typically keep to themselves in their own domains. To a demon, ghouls are the inferior, yet still beloved, children of Lucifer. Ghouls, to them, are just a step above humans on the pecking order. Luckily, ghoul territories and demon territories rarely ever cross. It is a soul with a death wish that would ever willingly go into a demon’s territory unless absolutely necessary. 

That being said, many high archdemons do not needlessly antagonize the ghoul population. There is no need to. High ranking demons are akin to royalty of Hell, and have no reason to bother lower beings. There’s nothing to gain from it, and it would only be seen as disrespectful to Lucifer. That doesn’t stop lesser demons from fighting for resources or land in Hell. Hell might be vast and seemingly endless, but territory is still a touchy and volatile subject. 

Ghouls and demons tend to keep away from each other, but will work with one another when needed. Namely, on Earth when they have a similar mission. Quintessence tribes tend to be the only types of ghouls who willingly interact with demons- as they are the only ghouls with powers remotely similar to a demon. Relations between the aether tribes and individual demons do vary. Some are symbiotic in nature, others are carried with grudging mutual respect. 

The Fae: This has always been a strange combination, as ghouls can only interact with the Fae on one plane- and that is on Earth. It is a rare occurrence that ghouls and fair folk ever meet! But it IS more likely for the two to come face to face than it ever would be for a HUMAN to meet a fairy. Namely because, though different in nature and ability, ghouls and fae are on equal footing in the human world. For one, neither of them are naturally there and exist in their own ‘dimension’ of sorts. Two, they are powerful beyond human understanding. 

Besides their creation the main difference is that ghouls are more likely to be bound by human magic than the fae. As many who work with the fair folk know, the fae usually have the upper hand and are too powerful and clever to ever be caught unwillingly. Unfortunately, ghouls summoned end up being bound to our world by magic given to us by Lucifer. There is little they can do once summoned to break this. Fae find this rather strange during encounters, as they can usually sense ghouls aren’t completely at their fullest strength. 

Unlike with other beings, Fae and Ghoul interactions are usually full of mutual curiosity. Both parties usually start out cautious and are just trying to comprehend what the other being even is! Naturally, ghouls might be a bit more aggressive, especially if other ghouls or humans are around. But once over their natural instinct to be protective of their kin/wards, it’s usually an opportunity to explore a world they would never know in Hell. Fae, on the other hand, are always curious and ready to delve into something new. Whether that is a good or bad thing for everyone involved is never certain! 

Eldritch Beings: This is when relations get dicey. Though ghouls are from HELL, they are still from this plane of existence. Eldritch beings do not belong in this reality, at all. Eldritch don’t belong in our universe, in Hell, in Heaven, or anything connected to our reality. Ghouls can sense this. They know on sight that an eldritch being DOES NOT BELONG HERE. 

A ghoul’s initial reaction is to either panic or immediately become defensive. It’s the natural instinct to protect their home, their families, and everything they love. Their primal instincts tell them that such a presence is inherently dangerous- even if the ghoul doesn’t comprehend the metaphysical nature of this. All they can feel is how abnormal this is and that it’s likely to end badly. 

That’s not to say relations CAN’T be had. Especially if the eldritch in questions was not aggressive or combative. It might take a while for ghouls to be COMPLETELY accepting of an Eldritch presence, but it can be done! 

Aether ghouls, once again, shine when it comes to relations with Eldritch beings. Their element allows them to better understand species outside the normal scope of comprehension. Eldritch are also aether made beings, in a lot of ways. So the two tend to vibe together more! Quintessence ghouls are very valuable this way! 

Supernatural Creatures/Cryptids: It really depends on the creature! Hell is full of odd monsters, demons, and other creatures that you’ll never see on Earth! Ghouls might react in various ways like a human would! Curious if it’s a docile being. Aggressive if the supernatural being is harmful or has the intent to kill. Maybe even completely unphased by the mere idea! Since there are so many, here is a breakdown by category. 

~Ghouls will most likely be unphased, as there are similar creatures in Hell:

      -Bigfoot, Lochness Monster, certain dragons, gremlins, imps, kelpie, great serpents, certain spirits

~Ghouls Will most likely have a passive or docile curiosity: 

     -Fairies, unicorns, sylphs, sprites, golems

~Ghouls will have a protective or potentially hostile reaction:

    -Banshees, certain spirits, certain dragons, vampires, werewolves, wyverns, various monstrous beasts

~Ghouls will be openly aggressive or have a volatile reaction (whether or not similar creatures exist in Hell): 

    - Zombies, hostile dragons/wyverns, demon like creatures, liches

Love love LOVE talking about Clergy life for ghouls!! Please enjoy! <3

Note: None of the pictures belong to me and were found Via Google!! 

National Geographic on Ghouls - Abby Designated Areas

In short, yes! Ghouls have their own designated areas for all of these things! Even though a majority of the Abbys are inhabited by both human and ghoul, ghouls still need their own environment for their specific social and physical needs.

It would be easiest to break them down by category. 

Eating Areas:

Most Clergy buildings have a standard cafeteria/mess Hall. Siblings AND Ghouls are allowed to dine in the main areas together. All standard meals are usually had at the same time, where everyone stops for the day to eat. And the cafeteria area is always open for those who missed chow time or just need a quick coffee break. 

Ghouls are allowed to sit with siblings and vice versa for the most part- so long as there are no disruptions or fights. A few Cathedrals, run by stickler Arch Bishops and Cardinals, sometimes DO have table areas designated for species only sitting. But these modern times many leaders are happy to have mixed seating, and find seating by species VERY archaic and in poor taste! The only seating that IS divided would be the tables reserved for high ranking ghouls (and clergy) who have earned their place at the front.

Ghoul eating areas have two exceptions, however. The first is for newly summoned ghouls, and the second is for Ghoul kits. Ghoul kits are typically separated from standard ministry life until they are old enough to serve. These children stay with their den mother in their own areas in order to freely eat and grow.   

Newly summoned ghouls have their own dining room where they are watched by more seasoned ghouls. This is to ensure two precautionary measures. New ghouls have to be shown they can eat and interact with humans and other ghouls without aggression. Even though ghouls aren’t uncivilized there can be a LOT of competition for food in Hell. It’s also a time ghouls are most vulnerable. Many that are summoned are also not used to dining with ghouls from different tribes or rival elements. 

The other need to have them separated tends to come from needing to transition a ghoul from a Hell based diet to a human provided one. Fire ghouls, for example, tend to have a huge meat diet that is not sustainable for a single clergy. So the ghoul will slowly be given more and more human based dietary substitutes. There is also an old misconception that ghouls can get sick from eating too much processed human dishes right away. But that has been proven false ages ago, as ghoul stomach constitution is NOTHING like ours! 

The standard cafeterias really depend on the funding of the individual building AND how much is stuck to tradition!  Many look like something out of an old movie- LONG wooden tables and bench like chairs. Some even look like typical new ball room dining areas, with clergy decoration and ornaments. 

Sleeping Areas 

The only ghouls who have their own private quarters are typically band ghouls or high ranking ghouls. This tends to be less favorable among many, as ghouls typically live in familial units rather than by themselves. It’s more comfortable being bunked with other ghouls than by oneself. Often times you will see at the very least two band ghouls share a large room for this very reason! 

As for the rest of the ghoulish population; they, like Siblings of Sin, have designated dorms. This is especially important separation due to the fact that ghouls often have their own antics. Whether this is play, socializing, or just establishing smaller close knit units of other ghouls. Ghouls also tend to have a need to congregate with others of their element (and rarely) their tribe for some sense of stability. The only misfortune for many is having ghouls translate from big, shared nests to human beds. It’s common to go into a ghoul dorm and seeing all the bunk bed frames pushed aside in favor of stacking mattresses and pillows into the middle of the room. 

Ghouls are allowed to spend the night in human dorms (so long as it’s not destructive), but it’s often frowned upon for a human to sleep in the ghoul wing. Not for any hatred or bias, but more so for safety. Ghouls are VERY strong compared to humans, and it’s easy for a human to be injured when in a gaggle of playful ghouls who just want to rough house! 

Ghoul dorms look anywhere between military barracks to rooms like new siblings of sin. Depending on the ghoul population, this can be a large shared room or several wings of connected rooms! 

Common Areas

Smaller, richer common areas for ghouls are normally reserved for high ranking ghouls, much like private common areas are for high clergy/siblings only. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any at all! Most Abby’s have MANY big rooms that are shared by siblings and ghouls. Libraries, pools, gyms, media rooms, etc are not split between the two. Ghouls are welcome to come and go as they please... outside of duty, that is. 

High ranking common rooms are typically more furnished and have more easily accessible luxuries. Band ghouls typically get their own TV’s, entertainment devices, kitchens, wash rooms, and anything else they could possibly want!