Gnolls
Grenrok the Elder has chosen some of us to head to the nearby town of Y'lavad. Rumors have gotten out about a group of heavily armed brigands assaulting the city again and again. Scouts have revealed they are the Bonebreaker clan, a group of Gnolls that decided to break the Gnollish Accords. The chosen will defend the town from the next attack, bidding time for the rest of the tribe to arrive and descend upon these traitors. For the sake of Gnollkind, these traitors shall feed the hyenas.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Growth Rate & Stages
Due to the harsh lives they led, the Gnoll lifespan shrunk drastically after their time in the Death Valley. As such, Gnolls adapted to be able to fend for themselves within a few months. By age 5, they are considered adults by their tribe and only live to the age of anywhere from 30 to 40 but some Elders have been able to extend their lifespan for the sake of their people or loved ones close to them.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
The majority of Gnolls live on the continent of Edrinia, spread across the lands west of Edrinia's Spine. The majority of the Gnolls reside in the Aerin Valley, their ancestral homeland but many spread north and south from that location. Due to Gnoll work with mountain races such as the Dwarves, Gnomes, and Tykriels, they have begun to live in the Underoad as well, traveling through the passages that still remain.
It was these passages as well as oversea travel that has allowed Gnoll tribes to spread to Alus as well, serving as mercenaries for forces on that side of the ocean as well.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Gnolls developed the ability to see in the dark in shades of grade. However, Gnolls that grew up in mountain tribes are born with a superior version of darkvision that allows them to see even farther. This developed as more and more Gnoll mercenaries were hired to delve into the Underoads for the Mountain holds.
Civilization and Culture
Major Organizations
- The Aerin Nations: Since the valley is their homeland, the Gnolls have as much influence in the politics of the land as the humans do. They do not choose to stay out of matters unlike the Centaur and because of that, they are seen as reliable warriors in conflicts. With the Crystalian Empire gaining power, more lords have started hiring Gnolls to defend their territories. However, due to Crystalia doing the same, it has done little to help their defense against Gnoll forces.
- The Mountain Holds: The Mountain Gnolls have been instrumental in exploring the Underoad for the different holds across Edrinia. However, the Underoad served as a perfect base for the Gnolls that went mad and they add another level of danger to the unknown passages that lie beneath Avestra.
Common Taboos
- Harming another Gnoll
- Selling out Gnoll clans
History
Unlike the Lunari, the Gnolls have no tie to the Fey. It is believed they were one of the first people of the Aerin Valley, even before the Scorching of Aerin when a Phoenix burnt the entire valley black. They were one of the few species that could survive in the harsh black desert and they made a life for themselves... if it could be called that. Some couldn't handle that life and decided to head either south towards the unharmed Elu region, north towards the Howling Coast, or into the mountains all around the valley. Stories passed down through oral history claim that the only reason the Aerin Gnolls stayed was to hunt down those of the heretical faith that caused the Scorching.
For the Aerin Gnolls, their lives got much better once life returned to the Aerin Valley. Due to their location, they were able to avoid both the Dragons and Giants during their rise to power, becoming adept at hunting and gathering and hiding from these large creatures. After the fall of their empires and the rise of the mortal races, the Gnolls were key but not well-documented figures in history in the region. As human kingdoms rose and fell, they served as sellswords for the different armies throughout the region.
The same was the case for the Elu Gnolls as the Elves landed and began to make homes for themselves along with the other races. They even ventured as far south as the Lonavi lands where Gnoll Vampires are believed to exist. After the bloody Battle of Zrush's Pass, a large number of Gnoll tribes were decimated. As a result, Gnolls across Edrinia came together to form the Grishaw Accords. If Gnolls saw each other on the opposing side of the battlefield, they were not to harm each other. There was no need to render aid but if a gnoll harmed another of their kind, they were considered criminals and exiles. Their clan was to strip them of all their titles and cast them out. Any tribe that was in violation of the Accords was considered an enemy to all Gnolls and every tribe had the right to annihilate that tribe with extreme prejudice.
This brought an end to any conflict between the gnolls until the Elders came. Amongst their different experiments was changing species to make them into perfect weapons. Taking a supposed ritual by a sect of warriors known as Blood Hunters, they bound blood from chaotic creatures into Gnolls and turned them into rabid beasts. These Gnolls were thrown back into the world and they cause many deaths to this day.
In response to this threat, an amendment was made to the Grishaw Accords that now marks all bestial Gnolls as targets to kill on sight to spare them the pain of the life they live. As more chaotic gnolls are born and even begin to regain their sanity but keep their brutal and cruel influence from the Elders, Gnoll unity is at a tipping point.
Historical Figures
- Grishaw: He was the one who called together the meeting of Gnoll Tribes that would create the accords. He was also one of the first who pushed his clan to hunt down exiles and traitors who broke the Accords.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Gnolls don't have a good or bad relationship with any species. They are neutral to all non-Gnolls but are willing to extend a hand of kindness or aid to those they meet. Though there have been stories, both fiction and real, where Gnolls and Arachni... share some interesting responses and butchering methods for meals they like to have.
Comments