"Ghouls are the descendants of men who descended into vile and vulturous habits; men who consumed the flesh of their fellow Humans as if it were that of beasts. Over time and generation these foul folks external seeming matched their internal loathsomeness. They lack all Human graces, with odd skin tones, deformed physiques, broken claw-like nails, teeth like a dog, and no body hair.
      their minds are feral, their perception and thinking limited to that of a retarded child at best and more commonly that of a predatory canine. They are quite hardy and often very physically powerful, but they are easily frightened unless they have overwhelming numbers.
     They hide in ruins and crypts, in the woods, or in caves, usually in small groups of five or fewer, sneaking out at night to raid graveyards for the freshly buried dead. Sometimes large packs of the foul creatures are found gathered together. Usually this is accomplished by a foul Necromancer or other servant of dark powers; but sometimes a particularly strong or clever Ghoul will bend his fellows to his will.
     When under the control of a Ghoul Chieftan, the ghouls soon become much like a pack of wild dogs, attacking isolated steadings and small groups. If unchecked such a circumstance can cause much trouble to an area, particularly in a wartorn or ruined city." -- from the Journals of Master Ignacius Aradatius, scholar and natural philosopher of reknown

The following list provides rules to play an all-Ghoul force in the streets of Mordheim. Unaligned and uncontrolled, they care for naught but fresh meat. Indisputibly a limited force, the Pack of Ghouls does have some advantages and is certainly a fun force to play and to play against.

Starting Funds

The warband starts with 500 gc to spend as it wishes following unit numbers and weapons restrictions.

Exploration and Recruitment

The Ghouls are not intelligent, nor are they seaking wyrdstone to sell for profit. However, the leaders power will grow with success. Therefore, roll for exploration as normal for purposes of getting matches and finding wyrdstone. Exploration finds are handled normally, the chart on page 134 is consulted as normal to determine a number based upon how many wyrdstones would be found by a normal warband.

However, Ghouls do not gather and sell wyrdstones for money in the normal way. Instead subtract the number determined in this fashion from 8 and the resulting number is what must be rolled on a D6 for a new Ghoul to show up and join the band at no gold coin cost. If a roll is succesful an additional roll may be made with a cumulative +1 to the target number needed until it becomes impossible to succeed on a D6. NOTE: The warband cannot recruit if it has reached its maximum size.

Example: a Ghoul band finishes a game with four Heros able to Explore; thus 4 dice are rolled yielding the following: 3,3,5,5. This triggers the Shop and Overturned Cart finds which resolve normally. The dice series totals 16, which would normally yield three stones. However instead we use this just to derrive the number 3 which we then subtract from 8 to determine the target number for the recruitment roll; so 8-3 = 5. This means that the player may make a d6 roll, and if they roll a 5+ a new Ghoul Henchman shows up and joins the warband. If this first roll is successful a 6+ roll can be attempted as well. If the second roll is succesful a second Ghoul shows up and joins the warband, and a third roll could be made but since a 7+ on a D6 is impossible it automatically fails.

New Ghouls joining at the same time may be put into the same Henchmen group, but may not join an existing group.

Any Exploration event which yields a living person, such as Straggler or Prisoners instead gives the Chieftan +1 experience point, and the Ghouls eat the poor saps discovered. Any equipment found is hoarded. Should a Ghoul take the Weapons Training skill they may use the Hand to Hand weapons but they will never be able to use the ranged weapons or Armor. The Returned Favor result will allow the band to gain the services of an Ogre for a game.

Choice of Warriors

A Pack of Gouls band must include a minimum of 3 models, and can have a maximum of 20 models including 5 Heros and 1 leader. A starting warband must be lead by a Ghoul Chieftan, but should he be killed they may not acquire another; a new leader will step forth from amongst the members of the band.

Hirelings & Dramatis Personae

The following Hired Swords will work for the Ghouls:

• Ogre
• Chaos Troll
• Necromancer

Heroes

Henchmen

Equipment

Starting Experience

Heroes

Henchmen

Playing a Ghoul Force

The Ghouls are tough, and have a lot of attacks but are largely unskilled. Once Rout checks become necessary, they are essentially screwed.

The Method behind the Madness

I think the Ghouls represent a very dark and straitforward force, with a very gritty feel to it. If played correctly they are very strong in HtH, but can be overwhelmed in a longer game. If they can hit hard and fast, they can cause enough damage to force the opponent to Rout before taking many casualties themselves.