View source for Abyssal ghoul

{{Creature
| image        =<gallery>
Abyssal_ghoul_4E.jpg|4e
Abyssal_ghoul_3E.jpg|3e
</gallery>
| caption2     = Various depictions of abyssal ghouls.
| name         = Abyssal Ghoul
| size5e       = 
| type5e       = 
| subtype5e    = 
| alignment5e  = 
| challenge5e  = 
| refs5e       = 
| size4e       = Medium
| origin4e     = [[Elemental creature|Elemental]]
| type4e       = [[Humanoid]]
| subtype4e    = [[Undead]]
| alignment4e  = [[Chaotic evil]]
| refs4e       = <ref name="MM4e-p118">{{Cite book/Monster Manual 4th edition|118}}</ref>
| size3e       = Medium
| type3e       = [[Undead]]
| subtype3e    = 
| alignment3e  = [[Chaotic evil]]
| challenge3e  = 10
| refs3e       = <ref name="CotSQ-p115">{{Cite book/City of the Spider Queen|115}}</ref><ref name="FF-p12">{{Cite book/Fiend Folio 3rd edition|12}}</ref>
| size2e       = 
| alignment2e  = 
| refs2e       = 
| size1e       = 
| alignment1e  = 
| refs1e       = 
| patron deity = [[Kiaransalee]]<ref name="FF-p13">{{Cite book/Fiend Folio 3rd edition|13}}</ref><ref name="CotSQ-p115"/>
| vision       = [[Blindsight]],<ref name="CotSQ-p116">{{Cite book/City of the Spider Queen|116}}</ref><ref name="FF-p12"/> [[darkvision]]<ref name="MM4e-p118" />
| activecycle  = 
| diet         = 
| lifespan     = 
| location     = [[Abyss]]
| language     = [[Abyssal language|Abyssal]]<ref name="CotSQ-p115"/><ref name="FF-p13"/><ref name="MM4e-p118"/>
| subraces     = 
| climate      = Any
| terrain      = Any land, underground
| height       = 
| length       = 
| wingspan     = 
| weight       = 
| skincolor    = 
| haircolor    = 
| hairstyles   = 
| feathers     = 
| eyecolor     = 
| build        = 
| distinctions = 1-ft. (30-cm) long tongue that trails into smoke<ref name="CotSQ-p115"/><ref name="FF-p13"/>
| based        = 
| first        = ''[[City of the Spider Queen]]''
}}
'''Abyssal ghouls''' were [[undead]] creatures that served the [[drow]] [[goddess]] [[Kiaransalee]].<ref name="CotSQ-p115">{{Cite book/City of the Spider Queen|115}}</ref><ref name="FF-p13">{{Cite book/Fiend Folio 3rd edition|13}}</ref>

==Description==
Appearing much like an ordinary [[ghoul]] with a twisted and bestial humanoid form, an abyssal ghoul differed in a few ways. It had hideously elongated fingers and toes that ended in wicked-looking claws. Dangling from its mouth was a tongue, roughly 1 ft (0.3 m) long, that trailed into incorporeal smoke. Its eyes were effectively blind.<ref name="CotSQ-p115">{{Cite book/City of the Spider Queen|115}}</ref><ref name="FF-p13">{{Cite book/Fiend Folio 3rd edition|13}}</ref>

==Psychology==
Despite their bestial appearance, abyssal ghouls were possessed of a great deal of cunning. Most notably, in battle, they would work together to outmaneuver an opponent and pick their perfect moment to strike.<ref name="CotSQ-p115"/><ref name="FF-p13"/> Opportunistic combatants, they would sometimes lie in wait for just the right moment to pounce.<ref name="MM4e-p118"/>

==Abilities==
[[File:Yeenoghu fighting.jpg|thumb|200px|''A group of abyssal ghouls try in vain to swarm [[Yeenoghu]].'']]
Very strong for its size and surprisingly agile, an abyssal ghoul could overpower most foes with its savage attacks. Despite being blind, they compensated more than adequately with their other senses.<ref name="CotSQ-p115"/><ref name="FF-p13"/>

The putrid nature of their front and rear claws was such that their attacks could leave a festering disease, known as [[demon fever]], in their wake.<ref name="CotSQ-p116">{{Cite book/City of the Spider Queen|116}}</ref><ref name="FF-p13"/>

Much like the spell ''[[deathwatch]]'', an abyssal ghoul was always aware how close to death creatures within 90 ft (27.4 m) of it were.<ref name="CotSQ-p116"/><ref name="FF-p13"/>

Abyssal ghouls were especially adept at striking foes when they were most vulnerable and could inflict great damage to those they caught unawares.<ref name="CotSQ-p116"/><ref name="FF-p13"/>

The reflexes of an abyssal ghoul were honed to such a degree that they were almost impossible to surprise or outflank.<ref name="CotSQ-p116"/><ref name="FF-p13"/>

If an abyssal ghoul pinned an enemy, it could bring its smoky tongue to bear and drain the very sanity from a victim. Eventually it could reduce an enemy to a comatose state.<ref name="CotSQ-p116"/><ref name="FF-p13"/>

After the collapse of the [[Abyss]] into the [[Elemental Chaos]], abyssal ghouls demonstrated some different abilities compared to before. Notably, if an abyssal ghoul was defeated it would explode in a shower of necrotic blood, potentially afflicting all those nearby. In addition, infused with the pungent aroma of the grave, enemies who got too close to an abyssal ghoul would struggle to defend themselves appropriately.<ref name="MM4e-p118">{{Cite book/Monster Manual 4th edition|118}}</ref>

==History==
Abyssal ghouls were the servants of the [[drow]] [[deity]] of [[undead|undeath]], [[Kiaransalee]], typically serving her whims.<ref name="FF-p12"/> During the [[Silence of Lolth]] in [[1372 DR]], [[Irae T'sarran]] [[summon|summoned]] numerous abyssal ghouls to the besieged city of [[Maerimydra]], where they eagerly harassed the forces of [[Kurgoth Hellspawn]].<ref name="CotSQ-p67">{{Cite book/City of the Spider Queen|67}}</ref>

==Appendix==
[[Maurezhi]]
===Appearances===
:;Adventures:
::''[[City of the Spider Queen]]''
:;Video Games:
::''[[Sword Coast Legends]]''
===References===
{{Refs}}
[[Category:Elemental creatures]]
[[Category:Creatures found in the Abyss]]