Empire of Ghouls

by Richard Green

With Wolfgang Baur, Jeff Lee, Chris Lockey, Kelly Pawlik, and Mike Welham

by Richard Green

With Wolfgang Baur, Jeff Lee, Chris Lockey, Kelly Pawlik, and Mike Welham

CREDITS

Lead Designers: Wolfgang Baur, Richard Green Interior Artists: Darren Calvert, Rita Fei,
Designers: Jeff Lee, Christopher Lockey, Kelly Michele Giorgi, George Johnstone, Erich Lazar,
Pawlik, Mike Welham Marcel Mercado, Wayne Miller, William
Additional Design: Darrin Drader, James O’Brien, Beatrice Pelagatti, Roberto Pitturru,
Introcaso, Meagan Maricle, Ben McFarland, Kiki Moch Rizky, Julio Cesar Oliveira Rocha,
Shawn Merwin, Brian Suskind Florian Stitz, Bryan Syme, Egil Thompson
Playtest Coordinator: Ben McFarland Calligrapher: Darlene
Editor: Meagan Maricle Lead Cartographer: Jon Pintar
Art Director & Graphic Design: Marc Radle Cartographers: Alex Moore, Dean Spencer
Cover Art: Craig J Spearing Heraldry: Addison Rankin
Publisher: Wolfgang Baur

A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE DESIGNERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
TO THE EARLIER VERSION OF EMPIRE OF THE GHOULS:

Bill Collins, Randy Dorman, Jonathan Hodgson, Johnathan L. Bingham, Darren Calvert,
Jonathan Hodgson, Kraig Horigan, Jeff McFarland, Jeffry K. Richard, Andreas Reimer,
Andrew Garbade, Andrew Nuxoll, Benoist Poire, Greg Volz, Stephen David Wark, Mark Gedak, Sigfried Trent,

Clay Fleischer, James Patterson, Adam Windsor

AN EXTRA SPECIAL THANKS TO THE 2,337 BACKERS WHO MADE THIS VOLUME POSSIBLE!

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Section 1(e), and are not Open Content: All trademarks, registered trademarks, proper names (characters, place names, new deities,
etc.), dialogue, plots, story elements, locations, characters, artwork, sidebars, and trade dress. (Elements that have previously been

designated as Open Game Content are not included in this declaration.)
Open Game Content: The Open content in this adventure includes the new monsters in the Appendix.
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No other portion of this work may be reproduced in any form without permission.

ISBN: 978-1-936781-97-3
©2020 Open Design. All rights reserved.

www.koboldpress.com

The Hideous Strength
of the Underworld

Ghouls have a long and nasty history as the cannibal They’ll see entire clans, legions, and cities
dogs of the undead family tree. In RPGs and in enslaved to dark powers. This volume contains a full
Lovecraft’s imaginings, they run in packs, dig up bones description of the Empire’s customs, people, places,
in graveyards, and are stand-ins for cannibalism and and quirks, as well as a complete adventure series from
depravity. My reaction has always been: wow, they are levels 1 to 13. Additional side quests and adventures
perfect villains, if only they were a little more organized. are available in Underworld Lairs, and additional player
A little… nastier, even. options, including new races and subclasses, are available
in the Underworld Player’s Guide. But this is the heart of
With the support of more than 2,000 backers, here they it, the setting that makes it all tick.
are, whipped into shape by an emperor cult, a patron
dark god, and a stratified society built around the need As the GM, your job is to make sure the villains
to feed on flesh. Hunger is the animating principle of the are smart, cunning, dangerous, and truly deserving
Empire of the Ghouls, the primal need to consume in the of annihilation at the hands of the righteous clerics,
worst possible way, and everyone in charge of the Empire, paladins, and heroes who dare venture against the
from the god Vardesain and the Emperor on down, undead, the blood cults, and their allies. With the ghouls
is using that survival instinct to control thousands of and their plots, I believe we’ve made this job a little
undead soldiers, citizens, and priests. Imagine an empire easier than usual. Welcome to the Underworld, a place of
of killers, totally dependent on an abomination of a food horrors, a place that heroes may visit and wish to forget,
chain. Right. That’s what we have here. And some within a place that will leave scars in the soul as well as scars on
the empire are eager to expand their power with alliances the body.
and new lands, while others are content to maintain the
current status: with them on top, with an unsleeping army Enjoy the hideous strength of the undead, and be
always willing to create new recruits, and with unbridled certain that your players will feel great triumph at driving
violence against all enemies. these creatures into a second, final oblivion.

It’s not a pretty picture. And heroes going up against Wolfgang Baur
it will see horrific sights, sacrifices to gods of pure Kirkland, WA
depravity, entirely alien strongholds and cities of bone.

Table of Contents

Underworld Gazetteer .............. 6 Dread Chambers of Ruins of Yarosbirg ...............................95
The Rise of the Darakhul.......................6 the Undercity ............................. 50 The Dread Fortress...............................99
The Hundred Kings and Chapter Background............................51 Concluding the Chapter....................113
the Ancient Dust...................................7 Beginning the Chapter:
The Emperors .........................................7 The Desperate Kobold.......................51 The Blood Marriage ................ 114
Darakhul Culture & Customs...............9 The Mob Rules......................................60 Chapter Background..........................114
Life in the Imperium............................11 The Court of the Kobold King............60 Chapter Summary..............................115
Gods and Cults.....................................13 Into the Zobeck Catacombs................62 Beginning the Chapter:
Trade and Wealth.................................15 The Temple of Marena.........................68 The Spear Maidens’ Plea..................115
Ghoul Legions.......................................16 Concluding the Adventure..................74 The Journey to Reaver’s Cave............117
Ghoul Hierarchy...................................18 Reaver’s Cave.......................................118
Hierarchy of the The Holy Robes of The Journey to Huldramose..............122
Ghoul Imperium.................................19 Sister Adelind ............................. 75 Audience in Huldramose.. .................124
Allies and Enemies of the Chapter Background............................75 The Memorial Feast of
Ghoul Imperium.................................23 Chapter Summary................................76 Randgrid Ironeyes............................126
Locations of the Underworld..............24 Beginning the Chapter: A Regal Request..................................130
Darakhan, the White The Clockwork Oracle.......................76 Raid on the Ragnarok Cultists..........131
City of Bone.........................................36 The Mountain Road.............................78 The Journey to Nordheim.................134
The Black Canton.................................80 Traversing the Cursed
Adventure Summary.................... 48 The Archduke........................................84 Multitude...........................................137
The Free City of Jozht ..........................93

PLAYTESTERS Les Joueurs de la Cave: Pierre “Mörkhdull” Staron, GM; Players: Antoni
“Balkan” Boccuzzi, Michele “RaGnaR” Boccuzzi, Jérémy Tassin, Thibault
Bee-Rex 1: Carsten Chalk, GM; Players: David Dagasso, Raoul Jain, Allison Lenz, Wauters De Besterfeld
Karen Penhayle
Midgardians of The Galaxy: Johnny Daniels, GM; Players: Ryan Brassard, Justin
Bee-Rex 2: Carsten Chalk, GM; Players: Karen, Allison Polowski, Tristan Rabut, Bill Stewart
Black Goat’s Flock: Jake Haverkost, GM; Players: Daniel Luckom, Peter Mayo,
Mobtown Menagerie: Justin Metzger, GM; Players: Sam Burt, Lukas Goodmuth,
Todd Mayo, Alex Thomson Sarah Sechrist, Sean, Otto Von Fakename, Mary Jean Wodjewodzki
Bogue and the Ladies: Kevin Klaes, GM; Players: Emily Bingham, Hana
Mundane Intervention: Ted Poovey, GM; Players: Citir, Ellie, Verona
Davisson, Rachel Donahue, Julie Meloni, Kyle Spiegel Mundane Interventions: Ted Poovey, GM; Players: Derrick, Ellie, Ferenor,
Candid: Matt Brooks, GM; Players: David Barr, Jonathan Dryden, Andre Jones,
MacKenzie, Tyson
Ben Negron, David Patterson, Brandon Smith NH Archaeological Dungeon Society: Brendan J. Townsend, GM; Players: Scott
Castle Annethrax International: Karl Rodriguez, GM; Players: Jeff Bailey, Anne
Anderson, James Buckley, Shawn MacDougall, Katherine Music
Freitas, Amy Lee Rodriguez Non Satis Temporis: Adam Abdur Rahim, GM; Players: Christopher Raif Adam,
Cult Of Nala: Kent, GM; Players: Ray Harrison, Kitty, Brendan
D&D Central Coast: Ryan Russell, GM; Players: Adriane Hughes, Keith Mosher, Zachary Arif Adam, Janice Mustopo
Persona: John Wicker, GM; Players: Terry Amburgey, Robert Hale, Adam
Erin Palchak, Matt Philpp, Samantha Poremba
Deep Dragon, Water Heist: W. Chiang, GM; Players: K. Nero Striegel, Chris Weston, Darian Wicker
Dungeon Delvers, Inc.: Bret Jordan, GM; Players: Brian Blevins, Tim Childress, Playtests Etc.: Brian D, GM; Players: Chris, Cosdyn, David G., Jay, Jon, Jon C.,

Michael Crain, Troy Gallier, Chris Lampman Joshua R. Johnson, Lord Bear Knight, Owen G.
Eagles, Inc: Randy Smith, GM; Players: Devin Peck, Philip Moore, Reagan Smith, PooveyFam: Ted Poovey, GM; Players: Garan Poovey, Micah Poovey, Quinlan

Riley Smith, Ben Henson, Johnathan Richardson Poovey
Gang of Fools: Nick, GM; Players: Davey, Justin L, Justin K, Travis, Arianna Shep’s Bandits: Patrick Shepard, GM; Players: Kayla Bradley, Houston Jeffreys
Gatecrashers: Meric Moir, GM; Players: Jen Black-Moir, Grace Struth, Matt Silver Grizzlies: James Clark, GM; Players: Kent Benson, Caroline Tardif, Chris

Struth, Andrew Wedman Tilstra, Virni
Geekazoids: Darren Cooke, GM; Players: Anthony Burnertt, Koby Cavino, John Sniper Team Insurgency: Brandon, GM; Players: Adrienne, Grichie, Mike, The

Freitas, Michael Kares, Tom Matthews Golden God
Hans Squad: Tim Annan, GM; Players: A-Non, Nyx, Tephra, Xorchid Tabula Rasa: Good King Enialb, GM; Players: Hatriel, Longarios, Josef Frederick,
JUBros: Dylan Lockridge, GM; Players: Josh Bruner, Barak Fredrickson, Mitchell
Monte, Selal, Sora
Jones, Matthew Wilson The 1 HP Club: Corey Fish, GM; Players: Jared P. Conley, Anthony Lescroart,

John Sauco, Liz Sauco, Lydia C. Troiano

The Midnight Temple........................140 Pillars of the Underworld..................183 Chapter Summary..............................215
Concluding the Chapter....................147 Travel Through the Underworld......184 Sailing the Sulphur Sea......................215
Underworld Encounters....................185 Chandelier Island...............................218
Catacombs of the Ghoul Patrols......................................186 The Pure City .....................................226
Ghul King ................................... 148 Kobold City of Lillefor.......................187 The Bone Cathedral...........................241
Chapter Background..........................148 Pit of All Flesh Outpost.....................188 Concluding the Adventure................250
Chapter Summary..............................148 Pit of All Flesh.....................................193 Continuing the Campaign................251
Beginning the Chapter: Derro Cult of the Withered Hand....196
Travel to the Court-in-Exile...........149 Meeting the Last King........................201 Appendix........................................ 252
The Hall of Masons............................149 The Dragon Graveyard......................204 Creed of All Flesh...............................252
An Audience with the Queen...........150 Returning the Staff.............................209 Red Sisters of Marena........................254
Travel to the Black Fortress...............151 Using Narosain’s Token......................209 Magic Items.........................................255
Siwal.....................................................158 The Main Thoroughfare.....................210 Monsters..............................................273
Meeting the Gravebinders.................160 Stealing the Skin Trader.....................210 Dramatis Personae.............................314
The Grand Necropolis of Siwal ........161 The Phantom Gives Chase................212 NPCs....................................................315
The Ghul King’s Catacomb................166 Concluding the Adventure................213 Random Encounters in
Concluding the Chapter....................180 the Underworld................................330
The Pure City of Handouts.............................................341
Into the Fuligin Realm ............ 182 Vandekhul................................... 214
Chapter Background..........................182 Chapter Background..........................214
Chapter Summary..............................183

The Bare Minimum Bandits: Kevin Skelton, GM; Players: Benjamin Joyner, Sara Brandon S. Goodling, GM; Players: Nate Crawford, Alex Horan, Ben Poliner,
Morawtz-Joyner, Gavin Skelton Crystal Poliner

The Busty Dragons: Adam Woods, GM; Players: Steven Bean, Forrest Church, Brandon S. Goodling, GM; Players: Nathan Beamer, Nate Crawford, Alex
Andrew Jones, Kyle Reese, Richard Soloman, Schuyler Wlodarski Howland, Patrick Horan, Jason Melnyk, Crystal Poliner

The Flaming Seahorse: Anthony Abbruzzese, GM; Players: Paul Abbruzzese, Brett Ryan, GM; Players: Derick Cummings, Christi Ryan, Sandi Ryan, Dustin
Molly Moynihan, Larry Swasey, Harry Woelfel Siebel

The Mangled Fist: Meagan Maricle, GM; Players: anonymous Brian Barcus, GM; Players: Rachael Barcus, Doug Cadmus, David Dowdy, Doug
The Monday Night Group: Jack Neller, GM; Players: Sue Dobies, Zachary Huber, Dowdy, Aaron Meadows, Marten van Zwietering

Paul Cecchini, Matt Eldred, Spencer Pyszczynski Jacob Robbins, GM; Players: Steve, Josh, Jared, Kurtis, Jesse
The Ravensworn: Timothy Baker, GM; Players: Patricia Baker, Dan Mengelkamp, James Meaney, GM; Players: Dan, Harley, Sara
Joseph Guerin, GM; Players: Kevin Dixon, Robin Dixon, Lance Kelsey, Dewy
Tara Mengelkamp, Rhiannon Pullin
The Terrific Twelve: Corry Rogerson, GM; Players: Robert Allen, Gregory Festo, Smith
Joseph Guerin, GM; Players: Kevin Dixon, Robin Dixon, Haleigh, Chris Sibert,
Meliora Henning, Nathaniel Kreiman, Jenn Ritchey
The Wedding Crashers: Nathaniel Dozier, GM; Players: David Baldwin, Billy- Dewey Smith, Terry
Jonathan Andrews, GM; Players: Seamus Anderson, Richard Campbell, Thomas
Bob Joe Johnson, Christopher Myers, Heather Snyder
The Whipple Hill Playgroup: Linus Cole, GM; Players: Matthew Cole, Peter Cole Sanderson, Joanne Marshall, Carl McGar, Danielle Brooke Melton
The Skeleton Crew: Kevin Skelton, GM; Players: Alexandra Joyner, Benjamin Kevin Klaes, GM; Players: Emily Bingham, Hana Davisson, Rachel Donahue, Jake

Joyner, Sara Morawetz-Joyner, Gavin Skelton Lammeree, Julie Meloni
War Pigs: Keith Hershey Jr, GM; Players: John Costa, Tadd Layton, Truman Kevin Price, GM; Players: Nick Elliott, Liam Hayes, Jason Keezer
Kevin Price, GM; Players: Maurice Morris, Juan Natera, Geordi Neilson, DJ Tyran
McMurtrey, Brad Smith Patrick Reynolds, GM; Players: Jesse Andrews, Hegan Lucero, Jerome Lucero,
Waterdeep Patrol Company: Kevin Moore, GM; Players: Aulden Boyd, Mark
Casey Reynolds, Nick Wallace
Boyd, Cody Ellshoff, Katie Ellshoff Richard Green, GM; Players: Kate Berens, Gavin Moore, Matt Still, Tim Bradbeer,

UNNAMED GROUPS: Andy Way
Sam Bauer, GM; Players: Dylan Glader, Joe Hughes, Noah Mercil, Eric Sampson
Brandon S. Goodling, GM; Players: Nathan Beamer, Nate Crawford, Alex Seth Klein, GM; Players: Will, Chris Fewell, Tim Fewell
Howland, Patrick Horan Steven Clark, GM; Players: Christopher Bowden, Jason Chalmers, Ashley Clark,

Brandon S. Goodling, GM; Players: Morgan Beamer, Jason Melnyk, Ben Poliner, Avril Pickard, Brett Sidford
and Crystal Poliner Thomas, GM; Players: Dani, Jon, Seamus

Brandon S. Goodling, GM; Players: Nate Crawford, Patrick Horan, Alex
Howland, Ben Poliner

Underworld Gazetteer

Deep under the earth, stretching from below the Ironcrags, Well hidden, the empire has bided its time, growing in
under the Margreve Forest, and as far north as southern strength, knowledge, and numbers. Speed and ferocity
Krakova, lies a dark empire. It is home to flesh-eating and carried the darakhul to their first conquests. Cunning
blasphemous worshippers of the gods of death, hunger, magic and ruthless rage have kept their empire together.
and darkness, who come to the surface only to feed. They Their Emperor’s plan and his followers’ unwavering resolve
call themselves the People, but, to the inhabitants of the propel the empire ever forward.
surface world, they are the Lords Subterranean, the Ghoul
Imperium, or simply the Empire of the Ghouls. To them, if The Rise of the Darakhul
you are not a member of the People, you are food.
The darakhul were born of strange magic. They are ghouls
Their empire rose more than 100 years ago with the with intelligence, necromantic power, and the ambition
first darakhul to answer a diabolist’s summons. Today, to rule everything below the earth. Some say the first of
Emperor Nicoforus the Pale rules the lightless tunnels and them became undead through sheer will and boundless
vast chambers of the Ghoul Imperium from his palace in depravity. Others say the darakhul are the children of a
Darakhan, the White City. mythical ghoul-dragon named Darrakh, who still roams
the grey wastelands between life and death.

6

The truth is lost; the first centuries before the ghoul Ghouls have few friends, and their violent empire is
empire rose are largely hidden from history. The darakhul constantly at war. For the most part, their wars have been
may have been smarter, stronger, and more ruthless than successful ones.
ghasts or common ghouls, but they were also fewer in
number. Each darakhul sought power over his fellows, The first emperor, Tonderil the Bonebreaker, worked for
creating an endless line of petty kings, hunger cults led 23 years to unite the scattered darakhul lords and petty
by charismatic death priests, and necromantic kingdoms kings under his command, and indeed he destroyed them
founded on the back of a single eldritch master. all or forced them to swear allegiance to him. The ghouls
measure time from the year when his greatest foes bowed
The Hundred Kings to him, called the first Imperial Year. With their fealty, his
and the Ancient Dust former foes were granted titles and offices. They became
the first dukes, the founders of the Shrine of Vardesain,
The Hundred Kings were the minor lords who ruled by the Fane of the Necrophagi, and the general of the Royal
pure strength in the early days before the empire. Dozens Bastards Legion. The best title went to the victor, of course,
of small kingdoms grew strong under their ruthless, clever, as Tonderil crowned himself emperor.
or powerful rule. The Rift Kingdom, the Iron Duchy,
the Domain of the Old Pretender, the White Kingdom, A few kings fled but were hunted down and eaten by
the Lich-Lord’s Kingdom, the Drowning Barony, the the new emperor’s legions. Only one survived in exile, the
Deepmark, the Hissing King, and the Dwarf-eater’s Last King Narosain, who some call the Prince of Vermin.
Realm are just a few of the many that arose, their names Forgotten by an empire that has grown much larger and
mostly now forgotten. When ghoul fought ghoul, only the stronger than any king ever dreamed, Narosain still lives
darakhul’s enemies prospered. Many kingdoms sprang (see page 202).
from companies of ghoul mercenaries hired by dark elves,
derro, or aboleth to destroy their foes. But Tonderil’s rule did not last. He was destroyed in
battle, leading the charge that broke the defending lines
Oddly, this period of ghoulish strife ended when at the lost derro city of Gonderif. Tonderil had ruled just
ghoulish cruelty ran amok. The ancient kings decided nine years as emperor of all the ghouls, but he laid the
they would grind their rivals to dust at the Millstone, foundation for everything that was to come: their magic,
an enormous block of stone in the depths of the old Rift their legions, and their aristocracy of rival dukes, priests,
Kingdom. They thought they were condemning their foes and marquises.
to a slow and agonizing death, but in fact their demise led
to the inadvertent creation of the first bonepowder ghouls CREATURE NAMES IN EMPIRE OF THE GHOULS
(Tome of Beasts, p. 214). These ghouls were still animated Creatures whose names appear in bold without a page
by hate and determined to end the rule of the petty kings or book reference can be found in the text near where
once and for all. they are named or in the System Reference Document 5.1.
Similarly, spell and magic item names which appear in
Over the years, eight bonepowder ghouls gathered italics without a page or book reference can be found in
together. Calling themselves the Ancient Dust, they the System Reference Document 5.1.
decided to support one of the kings, Tonderil, over all
others. They attacked trade caravans of dwarves and dark If a creature’s name or type isn’t in bold and its
elves, infected every human they could find, and doubled parenthetical lists a creature type with multiple options
Tonderil’s army in a single decade. The time was right for for its statistics, such as “Yigosain (CE male derro
an emperor to rise up and lead the darakhul, wiping away darakhul),” you can use any statistics of that creature
all those who would not swear allegiance. type that are appropriate for your game. For this
example, Yigosain can be a darakhul, darakhul captain,
The Emperors darakhul shadowmancer (see the Monster Appendix
for these statistics), etc., whichever fit best for the game
The true birth of darakhul power begins with the you are running. Likewise, “Trehild Shardspike (NG
emperors. Four great emperors have ruled the ghouls, female dwarf )” can be an acolyte, mage, archmage, or
each paying homage to the Death God Anu-Akma and the whatever statistics are appropriate for your game.
Hunger God Vardesain. To honor these gods, the emperors
expanded the empire below the earth through conquest.

7

Tonderil’s first victories against the dark elves and the development of the bone collectives (Tome of Beasts, p.
deep dwarves destroyed entire cities of the Spider Goddess 39), the rise of the Emperor Cults, and the writing of the
and the Forge God Volund, bringing thousands of slaves first ghoul work of theology, the Annals of Divine Strength
into the flesh markets. The pattern of expansion was set, and Sustenance. Vermesail died in magical combat against
using the ghoul’s magic of feeding and frenzy, of shadows drow assassins, who were devoured by masses of guards
and death. The darakhul necromancers grew more shortly after they cut down the emperor.
powerful than any known on the surface world. Their
unceasing toil made them strong. Their armies created The drow assassins left the empire without a ruler;
new soldiers with each victory. Vermesail’s chosen successor died at his side. In the
interregnum, almost all the Dukes declared themselves
Second to sit the throne was one of Tonderil’s spawn. emperor, as did a charismatic leader of the beggar ghouls
Empress Haresha Winterblood’s power derived from her who called himself Voxpopulus, or “Voice of the People.”
fortune in battle: she was the only surviving general at His followers had the numbers on their side, but, when
Gonderif, and she returned home in triumph to claim Duke Nicoforus’ legions marched into the White City, the
the throne. Though a powerful priest of Anu-Akma and Beggar King was put to flight.
an able strategist, she failed to keep an eye on her closest
followers, dying twelve years later in a coup staged by Since that day, the fourth emperor, Nicoforus the Pale
the Second Imperial Legion. Her heart was eaten by her (NE male emperor ghoul [Tome of Beasts, p. 218]), has
successor, who buried her in the Necropolis of Darakhan ruled for over 22 years with cunning and relentless cruelty.
with little ceremony. A persistent legend claims that He took revenge on the drow for his predecessor’s death.
Haresha’s “heir” danced atop her crypt. First, he sent a bone collective to assassinate the drow high
priestess. Then he destroyed their city and took all the
Vermesail the Gravedancer, the general who staged the dark elves prisoner, eating the weakest and transforming
coup, was paranoid and suspicious, due in no small part to the strongest. The darakhul legions marched through
how he seized power. He turned many darakhul generals, the Realms Subterranean, regaining territory lost under
priests, and necromancers against one another rather than Vermesail and expanding the borders of the empire further
looking outward to seize new territory, and the empire than ever before.
shrank during his reign. Vermasail’s terror tactics and spy
network kept him in power for 58 long years, as did his But not everyone was destroyed by the onrushing tide
of the ghouls. The myconids, aboleths, and cloakers

Timeline

The ghouls count Imperial Years (IY) from the coronation of Tonderil as Emperor of the Ghouls.
Earlier dates are Before the Imperium (BI).

197 BI Prince Lucan arrives in Morgau and seizes the throne. 47 BI The derro of Gonderif and their duergar allies slay the
Combined forces of Krakova, Doresh, and the Magdar Dwarf-Eater and raze his Bone Palace to the ground.
Kingdom nearly drive him from his dominion. Lucan allies
with several influential ghoul kings. 22 BI The Hissing King is crushed to death by his rivals at the
Millstone and becomes the first bonepowder ghoul.
148 BI Prince Lucan of Morgau takes Doresh, but the
dwarves seize Grisal. 14 BI Tonderil the Bonebreaker rises up to rule the darakhul,
declaring himself emperor. Aided by the Ancient Dust, he
99 BI The Time of Warring Kings begins. spends the next 14 years crushing his opponents to unite
the ghouls.
77 BI Calisto Corpsecraw seizes control of the Rift Kingdom
from Ungred Seepeye and declares herself First of a 1 IY Tonderil defeats his last foes and is officially crowned
Hundred Kings. Emperor of the Ghouls in the White City.

73 BI The armies of Torzana Tunnelhound, Lord of the 9 IY Tonderil is slain in the battle to take the derro city of
Deepmark, destroy the Rift Kingdom. Gonderif. Haresha Winterblood is crowned Empress.

8

successfully resisted, as they were either inedible or unable THE TWILIGHT EMPIRE
to be chosen for conversion into darakhul. The dark folk Located in the Shadow Realm
(Creature Codex, p. 72) and deep gnomes survived by in an area that corresponds with
hiding from the darakhul as well as any creature can. the Ironcrag Cantons in Midgard,
the Twilight Empire is home
Eleven years ago, having crushed almost all opposition to an exiled arm of the Ghoul
below ground, the darakhul turned their eyes once more Imperium. Ruled by Emperor Vilmos
to the surface. The only thing that had prevented the Marquering (NE male human darakhul),
ghouls from swarming the world above in the past was an the Black Fang, these darkness‑touched ghouls escaped
aversion to sunlight. Nicoforus sent his legions abroad to via a shadow road when Vilmos’ attempted coup
search the Underworld for the Crown of Air and Darkness, against Emperor Nicoforus failed. Safe from reprisals
a legendary artifact with the power to protect them from against their treason, the renegade ghouls have built
the horrible glare of the sun. a new empire in the Shadow Realm and make regular
raids on the fey and the Moonlit Glades. The Black Fang
When they eventually returned to the White City vows that one day he will return to the White City to
empty‑handed, the Emperor was forced to adopt a new claim the throne. More information on this renegade
strategy. Nicoforus picked up and re-forged an old alliance branch of the Ghoul Imperium can be found in the
with Prince Lucan of Morgau. In return for ancient tomes Midgard Worldbook on page 336.
of forbidden lore, the vampires would receive military aid
from elite darakhul troops. After lengthy negotiations, the
deal was done. The legions of the Ghoul Imperium set aside
their fear of the sun and marched into Krakova as part of
the undead armies that laid waste to the Electoral Kingdom.

Darakhul Culture & Customs somewhat from settlement to settlement and within legions
and elsewhere, there are three common pillars that are
Darakhul culture is a complex and ever-evolving set of part of the shared undeath of the Imperium: joining the
traditions and practices, perhaps the most complex such
social order among the undead. While customs vary

21 IY Haresha Winterblood dies in a coup led by the Second 83 IY The Black Fang launches an unsuccessful coup against
Imperial Legion. Vermesail the Gravedancer is crowned the emperor and escapes to the Shadow Realm where he
emperor. becomes the Twilight Emperor.

38 IY Sandor Greyskin, Master of the Necrophagi, creates the 90 IY Nicoforus sends the darakhul legions forth to search
first bone collective. the Underworld for the Crown of Air and Darkness.

54 IY Necrophage Antovian Surmidus uses illusion and 91 IY The darakhul and the vampires of Morgau march into
necromancy to forge the tradition of disguise known as “the Krakova and conquer the kingdom entirely, declaring the
Cloak,” allowing the darakhul to infiltrate mortal society. birth of the Greater Duchy of Morgau. Queen Urzula and
her court escape into exile.
66 IY The renegade duke Sergival of the Shackles builds an
extensive slave trade network under the guise of the cave 92 IY Dwarven reavers establish the Wolfmark and seize the
dragon Dreadwing. He feasts on mortal tributes from across city of Jozht from the Blood Kingdom.

the world until Vermesail’s assassins bring his activities to an
abrupt end. 101 IY Nicoforus the Pale remains the undisputed ruler of
the Dread and Endless Imperium of the Darakhul, the
71 IY Krakovans elect King Eynryk to rule their country. Empire of Ghouls. The events of the Empire of the Ghouls
adventure begin.
79 IY Drow assassins slay Vermesail. Nicoforus the Pale rises to
rule the Ghoul Imperium.

9