The Ghoul, a Playable Race for Labyrinth Lord and Advanced Edition Companion/OSRIC

Ghouls

“These figures were seldom completely human, but often approached humanity in varying degree. Most of the bodies, while roughly bipedal, had a forward slumping, and a vaguely canine cast. The texture of the majority was a kind of unpleasant rubberiness.”

“It was a colossal and nameless blasphemy with glaring red eyes, and it held in bony claws a thing that had been a man, gnawing at the head as a child nibbles at a stick of candy. Its position was a kind of crouch, and as one looked one felt that at any moment it might drop its present prey and seek a juicier morsel. But damn it all, it wasn’t even the fiendish subject that made it such an immortal fountain-head of all panic—not that, nor the dog face with its pointed ears, bloodshot eyes, flat nose, and drooling lips. It wasn’t the scaly claws nor the mould-caked body nor the half-hooved feet—none of these, though any one of them might well have driven an excitable man to madness.”

The Pickman's Model, H. P. Lovecraft

As requested by Blair at Planet Algol and Booberry at American Barbarica, here is a Ghoul Advanced Race and Racial Class, both inspired by infamous Lovecraft stories The Pickman's Model, The Unnamable and The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath. Thus, you'll find some small differences between my Ghouls and the RoCC's Ghouls. I plan to use it in my Forbidden Isle of Doom/Kandahal Megadungeon campaign too.

Ghoul

For all we know, most Ghouls were once human. Normal people like you and me, although very often cultured, who were contacted by other Ghouls and convinced to abandon the Earth. They are borderland creatures between our reality and the Dreamlands, and can easily be found in cemeteries or at mass graves, where they feed on dead bodies. Younger Ghouls remember much of their human lives, and can be trustworthy fellows. They are, however, unearthly and alien, and most humans can't stand their presence. Only humans who have decided to become Ghouls by their own free will are eligible as PCs.

Abilities for Both Class Versions
Ghouls cannot abide sunlight, although on the Isle they are well protected by the everlasting mist and can go out even during the daytime, although they can see only 90' at such times. They have Infravision, and they can see in darkness as humans do in daylight. Ghoul speak common, ghoul, and their alignment language.

Ghoul (Advanced Class)
Requirements: INT 13
Ability Modifiers: STR +1, WIS +1, CHA -2
Ability Min/Max: STR 9/18, DEX 9/18, CON 9/18, INT 9/18, WIS 7/18, CHA 3/12
Available Classes: Cleric (8), Fighter (8), Thief (Unlimited), Magic-User (Unlimited)

Bonuses and Penalties to Thief abilities:
Move Silently: +5%
Hide in Shadows: +10%
Pick Pockets: -15%
Climb: +5%

Starting Age
25+1d30 (the age the Ghoul reached as a human) + 1d100 (years elapsed as a Ghoul)

Note on Ghoul Aging: Ghouls are virtually immortal, and they don't have to face the decay of their bodies. However, apply the modifiers due to aging based on the age they reached as a human (25+1d30).

Ghoul (Racial Class)
Requirements: INT 9
Prime Requisite: STR, DEX
Hit Dice: d10
Maximum Level: 7

This Race/Class combines the abilities of a fighter and a thief. Ghouls attack as Fighter of one level higher, but can wear no armor and use no shield. Ghouls can use Thief abilities as a thief of the same level, and use the saving throws of Magic-Users or Thieves, whichever is higher.

Ghoul Level Progression
XP – Level – Hit Dice
3,001 – 1 – 1
6,001 – 2 – 2
12,001 – 3 – 3
24,001 – 4 – 4
50,001 – 5 – 5
100,001 – 6 – 6
150,001 – 7 – 7

Footnotes
Whether or not a Ghoul's bite causes the victim to become a Ghoul is left to the DM. Ghouls can use their natural weapons (bite, claws) as described in RoCC, but still attack only once. Note that Ghouls have no Alignment restriction, and can even be Lawful Good.