diff --git a/code/modules/antagonists/heretic/heretic_monsters.dm b/code/modules/antagonists/heretic/heretic_monsters.dm
index 6f262d2aa32..6651f6e082c 100644
--- a/code/modules/antagonists/heretic/heretic_monsters.dm
+++ b/code/modules/antagonists/heretic/heretic_monsters.dm
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 			to_chat(master.current, span_warning("The essence of [owner], your servant, fades from your mind."))
 		if(owner.current)
 			to_chat(owner.current, span_deconversion_message("Your mind begins to fill with haze - your master is no longer[master ? " [master]":""], you are free!"))
-			owner.current.visible_message("[owner.current] looks like [owner.current.p_theyve()] been freed from the chains of the Mansus!", ignored_mobs = owner.current)
+			owner.current.visible_message(span_deconversion_message("[owner.current] looks like [owner.current.p_theyve()] been freed from the chains of the Mansus!"), ignored_mobs = owner.current)
 
 	master = null
 	return ..()
diff --git a/code/modules/antagonists/heretic/knowledge/flesh_lore.dm b/code/modules/antagonists/heretic/knowledge/flesh_lore.dm
index 7f555c12952..2e7b46b8acc 100644
--- a/code/modules/antagonists/heretic/knowledge/flesh_lore.dm
+++ b/code/modules/antagonists/heretic/knowledge/flesh_lore.dm
@@ -84,21 +84,21 @@
 		target.balloon_alert(source, "at ghoul limit!")
 		return COMPONENT_BLOCK_CHARGE_USE
 
+	if(HAS_TRAIT(target, TRAIT_HUSK))
+		target.balloon_alert(source, "husked!")
+		return COMPONENT_BLOCK_CHARGE_USE
+
 	if(!IS_VALID_GHOUL_MOB(target))
 		target.balloon_alert(source, "invalid body!")
 		return COMPONENT_BLOCK_CHARGE_USE
 
-	// Get their ghost in here so we can raise them
 	target.grab_ghost()
 
+	// The grab failed, so they're mindless or playerless. We can't continue
 	if(!target.mind || !target.client)
 		target.balloon_alert(source, "no soul!")
 		return COMPONENT_BLOCK_CHARGE_USE
 
-	if(HAS_TRAIT(target, TRAIT_HUSK))
-		target.balloon_alert(source, "husked!")
-		return COMPONENT_BLOCK_CHARGE_USE
-
 	make_ghoul(source, target)
 
 /// Makes [victim] into a ghoul.
@@ -148,14 +148,18 @@
 		return FALSE
 
 	for(var/mob/living/carbon/human/body in atoms)
-		if(body.stat != DEAD || !IS_VALID_GHOUL_MOB(body) || HAS_TRAIT(body, TRAIT_HUSK))
-			atoms -= body
+		if(body.stat != DEAD)
+			continue
+		if(!IS_VALID_GHOUL_MOB(body) || HAS_TRAIT(body, TRAIT_HUSK))
+			to_chat(user, span_hierophant_warning("[body] is not in a valid state to be made into a ghoul."))
+			continue
 
-	if(!(locate(/mob/living/carbon/human) in atoms))
-		loc.balloon_alert(user, "ritual failed, no valid body!")
-		return FALSE
+		// We'll select any valid bodies here. If they're clientless, we'll give them a new one.
+		selected_atoms += body
+		return TRUE
 
-	return TRUE
+	loc.balloon_alert(user, "ritual failed, no valid body!")
+	return FALSE
 
 /datum/heretic_knowledge/limited_amount/flesh_ghoul/on_finished_recipe(mob/living/user, list/selected_atoms, turf/loc)
 	var/mob/living/carbon/human/soon_to_be_ghoul = locate() in selected_atoms
@@ -180,6 +184,7 @@
 
 	selected_atoms -= soon_to_be_ghoul
 	make_ghoul(user, soon_to_be_ghoul)
+	return TRUE
 
 /// Makes [victim] into a ghoul.
 /datum/heretic_knowledge/limited_amount/flesh_ghoul/proc/make_ghoul(mob/living/user, mob/living/carbon/human/victim)
diff --git a/code/modules/antagonists/heretic/knowledge/side_void_blade.dm b/code/modules/antagonists/heretic/knowledge/side_void_blade.dm
index 78963f1aae3..be22e2513b9 100644
--- a/code/modules/antagonists/heretic/knowledge/side_void_blade.dm
+++ b/code/modules/antagonists/heretic/knowledge/side_void_blade.dm
@@ -30,12 +30,21 @@
 		return FALSE
 
 	for(var/mob/living/carbon/human/body in atoms)
-		if(body.stat != DEAD || !IS_VALID_GHOUL_MOB(body) || HAS_TRAIT(body, TRAIT_HUSK))
+		if(body.stat != DEAD)
+			continue
+		if(!IS_VALID_GHOUL_MOB(body) || HAS_TRAIT(body, TRAIT_HUSK))
+			to_chat(user, span_hierophant_warning("[body] is not in a valid state to be made into a ghoul."))
+			continue
+		if(!body.mind)
+			to_chat(user, span_hierophant_warning("[body] is mindless and cannot be made into a ghoul."))
+			continue
+		if(!body.client && !body.mind.get_ghost(ghosts_with_clients = TRUE))
+			to_chat(user, span_hierophant_warning("[body] is soulless and cannot be made into a ghoul."))
 			continue
 
-		if(body.mind?.get_ghost(ghosts_with_clients = TRUE))
-			selected_atoms += body
-			return TRUE
+		// We will only accept valid bodies with a mind, or with a ghost connected that used to control the body
+		selected_atoms += body
+		return TRUE
 
 	loc.balloon_alert(user, "ritual failed, no valid body!")
 	return FALSE
@@ -55,11 +64,12 @@
 
 	selected_atoms -= soon_to_be_ghoul
 	make_risen(user, soon_to_be_ghoul)
+	return TRUE
 
 /// Make [victim] into a shattered risen ghoul.
 /datum/heretic_knowledge/limited_amount/risen_corpse/proc/make_risen(mob/living/user, mob/living/carbon/human/victim)
 	log_game("[key_name(user)] created a shattered risen out of [key_name(victim)].")
-	message_admins("[ADMIN_LOOKUPFLW(user)] shattered risen out of [ADMIN_LOOKUPFLW(victim)].")
+	message_admins("[ADMIN_LOOKUPFLW(user)] created a shattered risen, [ADMIN_LOOKUPFLW(victim)].")
 
 	victim.apply_status_effect(
 		/datum/status_effect/ghoul,