Because I’ve been thinking about Gregor’s Tokyo Ghoul AU again and couldn’t focus on replies, here’s some world-building stuff about how the culture of ghouls in the ‘Underground’ of New York City vastly differ from those in Tokyo. I’ll just throw this all under a cut though, because... It’s long. Very long. Yeah.
- In NYC, the Underground is essentially(but unofficially) recognized as the only legal place for ghouls to live. Ghouls who are caught on the surface will either be tossed back into the sewers, or executed if they’re especially violent. Here, there is no CCG, but the government has its own special law enforcement division dedicated to their capture and containment.
- The ghouls of the Underground have formed powerful ‘clans’ based on RC type and abilities, and use slang terms for members of those clans-- which happen to be parallel with names from the Underland Chronicles. Some of these groups are easier to reason with than others, with certain ones aligning with human law enforcement in return for special treatment, and others being openly hostile. Most clans are formed primarily from blood relatives, and while cross-marriages are common, the children will join whichever clan they inherit into. Chimera ghouls may be welcomed in both groups, but will usually side with one more than the other. Due to these relations, their kagune types are often quite similar, with unique abilities being carefully cultivated and passed down for generations.
- The ‘Fliers’ are a sub-group of Ukaku ghouls who have developed the ability to fly, something not observed anywhere else on the planet with such consistency. Bikaku ghouls have a large group called ‘Gnawers,’ who are known for their combination of a single long, tactile tail and unusually strong jaws. While Fliers are generally cooperative with humans, however, the Gnawers are highly rebellious and hateful, and will kill and eat any human unlucky enough to fall into their grasp. Gnawers also have a very high population of kakuja ghouls due to their tendency to cannibalize opposing clans that enter their territory.
- The ‘Crawlers’ still aren’t known for their brains, but are Rinkaku ghouls with exceptional healing abilities and the greatest numbers in the Underground. They earned their name due to their many-limbed kagune resembling the legs of insects, allowing them to be used for climbing even on walls or the ceiling. Despite their creepy nature, however, they are primarily nonviolent and avoid confrontation with other clans. Crawlers also have a much lesser-known ability to heal the wounds of others, though it costs them much of their own strength in return.
- Here, ‘Spinners’ are also Rinkaku ghouls, but are known for their ability to form their thin, wiry kagune tendrils into webs capable of lasting for many hours-- or even days-- separated from the ghoul. These threads, like the web of a spider, are ‘sticky’ and will grab onto anything edible that makes contact, and the ghoul will detect it even from a great distance away. Their territory is more or less covered in these structures, so most others tend to keep their distance from this dangerous clan. They generally stay neutral and will occasionally trade resources back and forth, but can be extremely hostile to outsiders if provoked.
- ‘Shiners’ are an Ukaku type much like the Fliers, but unlike their flying cousins, specialize in the usage of light as a weapon. Their kagune can emit blinding flashes, disorienting opponents and creating confusion among enemy ranks. However, they are also for hire as traveling light sources-- that is, if you can afford to feed them endlessly. Using that ability drains them rapidly, and when it comes to food, they’re quite... Demanding, to say the least. But on the bright side, they aren’t very good fighters, usually relying on stunning targets. If they can’t do that, they just run away, or tire themselves out in the attempt.
- In contrast, the ‘Nibblers’ are a Bikaku type thought to have branched off from the Gnawers at some point in history. The Gnawers have an intense hatred of them, however, due to their cooperation with humans and law enforcement. The Nibblers aren’t as strong physically as their relatives, but instead may have multiple tails, and specialize in outwitting their opponents, using traps and quick thinking to gain the upper hand. Many are quite scholarly, and they’re generally believed to be the most knowledgeable of the Underground’s ghouls. Many sneak into the world above at night to explore libraries in peace, fascinated by human literature and science.
- The ‘Stingers’ and ‘Cutters’ are both Koukaku RC types, but with strongly differing abilities. A Stinger’s kagune has a unique tip that will break off when stabbed into an opponent, and can act independently from its creator to continue digging deeper until it is removed from the injury. In contrast, Cutters have a very large, sharp blade that wraps their arm defensively-- and occasionally individuals will have two, one on each side. Dual-blade Cutters are most common among their kakuja population, which is larger than any other clan’s. Both of these clans typically avoid the other groups, but Stingers are more reclusive, whereas Cutters have a potent resentment towards their ‘rivals,’ and are strongly militaristic.
- The ‘Hissers’ are actually a relatively small but mismatched group, filled with ghouls of many different RC types. Strongly pacifistic, they rely on flaring their kagune in times of danger, scaring away many threats. Many have mastered the ability to stretch their kagune thin through years of practice, which makes it weaker-- but like flashing a frill, will appear much larger and more threatening. If that doesn’t work, they usually run away. However, when cornered, they are the most varied clan in the Underground. Many individuals have unique abilities found in no other clan, or a special mixture of their skills.
- ‘Diggers’ are thought to be extinct; these Koukaku ghouls were known for their distinctive, massive, broad-edged kagune, which they used to tunnel through dirt, stone, and even steel. This group was all-but-wiped out by law enforcement for their tunneling activities... Or so they claim. In reality, their territory happened to sit exactly where the ‘Undergrounders’ wanted to place their main base of operations. Since then, the Diggers have lived on in the depths in secret, waiting for the right moment to strike back.
- The ‘Undergrounders’ are a mixture of demi-humans and humans, with many having strength and speed far surpassing that of ordinary humans. This special unit takes orders from a highly classified section of the government, managing the ghoul population of the Underground. Most harbor a strong hatred for the Gnawers in particular, but are distrustful of ghouls as a whole. Nonetheless, they will team up with Fliers and Nibblers whenever the need arises, and most have designated partners among those factions for times of war and danger.