My understanding is that they are undead from the plane of shadow. They appear to be a smaller version of the gholles.
The Greywiki says:
Ghulaz Greyhawk creature
Ghulaz Alignment Always chaotic evil Type Undead Subtype None First appearance City of Hawks (1987)
The ghulaz in an undead creature from the Plane of Shadow.
Contents •1 Ecology ◦1.1 Environment ◦1.2 Typical physical characteristics ◦1.3 Alignment •2 Society ◦2.1 Ghul •3 Publishing history •4 Bibliography
Ecology Environment Ghulaz dwell on the Plane of Shadow, though they have been seen in desert regions of the Prime Material Plane.
Typical physical characteristics Ghulaz are roughly humanoid creatures, standing about six feet tall. They have clawed, bestial hands and feet. Their skulls are also roughly humanoid, but more primitive and apelike, with hyena-like jaws, eyes, and ears. They've been described as hideous combinations of the worst aspects of humans, hounds, and baboons. They attack with their claws, teeth, and paralyzing spittle. Unless damaged with fire or acid, they heal with supernatural quickness and can regenerate lost limbs. They are surrounded by the sickening stench of death. Those rare beings who they kill but do not devour rise as ghulaz themselves.
Alignment Ghulaz are always chaotic evil.
Society Ghulaz dwell in packs, associating with ghouls and similar, larger creatures called gholles.
Ghul Ghulaz serve a lesser demon lady named Ghul. A twelve-foot-tall, mishapen creature, Ghul is known as the mother of all ghulaz. Like her spawn, she resembles a combination of the worst aspects of human, hound, and baboon, roughly humanoid with hideous, clawed hands and feet. She has a wide array of demonic powers as well as the standard abilities of a ghulaz; she can create ghulaz and other undead at will, and summon either demons or ghulaz to her side.
Publishing history Ghulaz were encountered on the Plane of Shadow in City of Hawks, a non-TSR novel by Gary Gygax, part of his Gord the Rogue series. They also play a role in his adventure Necropolis, originally published for the Dangerous Journeys roleplaying game and converted to the d20 system by Necromancer Games.
Bibliography •Gygax, Gary. City of Hawks. Delavan, WI: New Infinities, 1987.
_________________ Greg Svenson
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