Dawnspire teaches that a ghast is a more powerful and cunning relative of the ghoul, possessing greater strength, speed of thought, and resistance to necrotic harm. Where ghouls often hunt through appetite, a ghast is intelligent enough to direct an attack, choose vulnerable prey, and use lesser undead to occupy defenders while it closes on its target.

A ghast is often detected first by its overwhelming stench of corruption. Fighting at close quarters can leave even hardened warriors sickened and impaired. Its claws can paralyze the living, while its bite carries significant necrotic injury. Dawnspire field instructors therefore teach students to identify the ghast in a group and prevent it from reaching healers, immobilized companions, or the wounded.

Unlike a shambling corpse, a ghast understands Common and retains enough intellect to ambush, retreat, cooperate, and recognize divine threats. If ghouls appear unusually disciplined, Dawnspire doctrine advises assuming that something more intelligent may be directing them.

Dawnspire Maxim: “When the hungry dead begin behaving like soldiers, find the one giving them purpose.”