Ghouls
A mortal or animal who drinks a vampire’s Blood becomes something both more and less than what they are, for a time. Derisively called a ghoul by western vampires the imbiber gains a smidgeon of the power of a true vampire. The vitae consumed not only brings a rush, but also arrests the aging process. The effects are temporary, however, and if weaned off vampire Blood, the mortal deteriorates rapidly, as the years catch up with their halted aging. Vampires use ghouls as retainers where loyalty outweighs keeping the Masquerade, since a single Kindred can Blood Bond as many ghouls as they can manage.
Unlike the Embrace and Blood Bonds, vampire Blood does retain its ghoul-sustaining properties for a few days while stored in an airtight container and not exposed to sunlight. Vampires usually, only provide their vitae in such manner after having established a proper Blood Bond with a ghoul.
A Rouse Check’s worth of vitae bestows the following benefits to
a mortal or animal for approximately a month:
■ The master grants the mortal
the first dot from one of the disciplines the master knows, along with a single level 1 power possessed by the vampire.
■ The aging process halts, some- times even setting the clock back a few years.
■ Wounds heal twice as fast, unless caused by fire.
Ghouls who use powers above level 1 (thanks to Draught of Elegance or similar powers, alchemical effects, or other causes) take 1 point of Aggravated damage to their Health instead of making a Rouse Check.