Gaki
The gaki, or hungry ghosts, are restless spirits of avaricious humans, cursed by the gods to live eternally in constant hunger.
This hunger manifests itself as an insatiable desire to consume filth or cannibalistically devour human carrion. A hungry ghost appears as a hairless human with deep, bruised-blue skin stretched tight over both its emaciated ribs and its pendulous belly.
A hungry ghost is cursed to consume a single thing for eternity. Usually the object of their hunger is disgusting refuse like faeces or garbage, but some gaki have more unusual tastes. Often, these tastes ironically reflect the sins these spirits committed in life. Gaki are generally benign, but the hungers that put them in conflict with civilized creatures—such as hungering for gold, clothing, magical scrolls—are the most destructive of all.
The hungry ghost doesn’t require air or sleep.
Gaki were horrible humanoid monsters with several different forms.
- Jiki-ketsu-gaki - These gaunt creatures used their sharp fangs and claws to feast on blood. They could only be harmed by spells or magical weapons. They were able to regenerate rapidly. Fire and cold-based attacks had no effect upon them.
- Jiki-niku-gaki - This was the most common gaki. They looked exactly like jiki-ketsu-gaki. Instead of drinking blood these gaki ate raw flesh. They could regenerate their tissue damage like all gaki.
- Shikki-gaki - These vile gaki carried deadly diseases within their flesh, making them especially dangerous to fight. Wounds caused by a shikki-gaki often killed unless treated by magical means. They were immune to all disease and poisons. Their regenerating flesh could only be harmed by spells and magical weapons.
- Shinen-gaki - This form of gaki appeared as a flaming humanoid. They enjoyed smothering their victims with burning fire. Magical weapons were needed to harm them. They regenerated damage but were susceptible to water-based attacks.
Basic Information
Dietary Needs and Habits
Gaki rarely hunt mortal creatures.
Though gaki can kill mortal creatures and devour their flesh, they find the rancid taste of carrion far more appetizing.
When gaki do attack humanoids, it is because that mortal is keeping it from eating. Gaki cursed to eternally feed on feces, for instance, stalk outhouses and viciously attack the creatures relieving themselves within, as the gaki believes the creatures are guarding their rightful meal.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
All gaki had the innate ability to duplicate the effects of become invisible and polymorph spells at will, and passwall three times daily. They were immune to all charm, hold and sleep spells, as well as drowsy insects. They were vulnerable to any spell that affected spirits.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
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