ghuls

Ghuls, sometimes spelled ghūls, are beings from Middle Eastern folklore that have appeared in later fantasy fiction as well. The name derives from the Arabic ghūl, meaning a demon that robs graves. In traditional lore, ghuls are desert-dwelling revenants associated with tombs and ruins. They are often described as shape-shifters capable of taking human form to lure travelers, then revealing their monstrous nature. They prey on the living, sometimes consuming flesh or blood, and may guard treasure, animate corpses, or spread disease. Descriptions vary; some portray them as intelligent demons, others as mindless beasts.

Geographically, ghuls are linked to Arabian, Persian, and broader Arabic folklore, with legends spread through trade and literature. In Western adaptations, distinctions between ghuls and ghoul can vary; some works treat ghuls as more supernatural or demonic, while others use ghul and ghoul interchangeably.

In modern fantasy and games, ghuls appear as monsters or adversaries, sometimes reimagined as undead, shapeshifters, or morally ambiguous figures rather than mere savage killers.

Scholars discuss ghuls within the wider study of demonology and folklore, noting how the figure reflects cultural fears about death, strangers, and desert landscapes.