Gnoll
In almost every reference of a Gnoll, they are depicted as brutal savages that desire nothing but to feast on the flesh of their prey, their sole joy in life seeing victims cry for mercy as they break their bones, relishing in the slaughter of other sapients. This is true, but only half of the story, for such a supposedly "uncivilized" race has done surprisingly well for themselves even to this day, surviving cataclysm and catastrophe when other more "competent" species have failed. While yes, they are perhaps the most aggressive and hostile race when viewed from the outside, but should they consider you as part of their inner pack, their loyalty and faith is unshakable and undying.
Standing on average at a monstrous 7 feet with over 300 pounds of pure lean muscle, they are unmistakably built for the thrill of combat, able to stand toe to toe with even the late Goliaths. Their intimidating physique only brought with it the ire and infamy of the other races, forever damned to roam the outskirts as exiles and barbarians for most of their history as a species. The nomadic lifestyle is almost natural to them, and many even prefer the quiet, solitary existence away from the bustle and politics that many societies brings.
There are only two recorded occasions of sedentary Gnolls: the ancient Prebetrye Sahak nan Noheture, and the Meridian of Stars' Eternal. The former was a rival empire to the ancient quad-federation of Saggila nan Izcr, ruled equally by Kobolds, Humans, Elves, and Orcs that existed some 1500 years before the Meridian's founding. The Prebetrye on the other hand was despotic and absolute, with a rigid no-nonsense political scene that only tolerated the facts and exacts as a cold, analytical democracy. The commonality between then and the more modern Meridian is the unprecedented level of freedom both powers grant, with only a handful of regulated systems to subsidize growth beyond what is normally possible alone. So long as there is no over-arching government with questionable leadership over a Gnoll, they will be as industrious as any other member of society within the same nation.
As counter-productive as it may sound, a Gnoll knows exactly what needs to be done and when without ever being told the details. Despite their appearance, the hyena-esque race is incredibly intelligent and calculating, for while they lack in creativity, they make up for it in sheer arithmetic and observation. Nothing escapes the ever-watchful gaze of the Gnolls, always unconsciously absorbing every single sound and sight of the world, and this natural instinct extends to societal applications such as mercantilism and administration. They are rarely ambitious and are perfectly content with experiencing the simple things in life, believing that the existence of such small joys is a direct reflection of the stability of their realm. Whichever organization finds themselves on the side of a Gnoll, all members within will receive the same warm graciousness that they would offer to their natural pack.
As a Meridii species, they most often align with the ideals of Ital Tek or Orax, whom despite their constant bickering exist in the perfect anarchic state that any Gnoll would thrive in. Astute, witty, and compulsive, they often occupy roles in which chaos is a living condition, such as that as chancellors, priests, factorers, smiths, warriors, and strangely enough, accountants. As stated previously, they do not excel at creatively demanding roles, but have quite the stamina and determination to best any tedious, arduous, and otherwise exhausting tasks with glee and zeal. The only thing a Gnoll lives for is to see their prey bested, but little did anyone know that this same inner drive is what motivates them on the council floor. Meridii Gnolls are almost genetically homogeneous like that of any other of their allied species; a consequence of their forced proximity within the civil perimeters. There are two known surviving subspecies of Gnoll today, though both are nearly identical behaviorally:
Standing on average at a monstrous 7 feet with over 300 pounds of pure lean muscle, they are unmistakably built for the thrill of combat, able to stand toe to toe with even the late Goliaths. Their intimidating physique only brought with it the ire and infamy of the other races, forever damned to roam the outskirts as exiles and barbarians for most of their history as a species. The nomadic lifestyle is almost natural to them, and many even prefer the quiet, solitary existence away from the bustle and politics that many societies brings.
There are only two recorded occasions of sedentary Gnolls: the ancient Prebetrye Sahak nan Noheture, and the Meridian of Stars' Eternal. The former was a rival empire to the ancient quad-federation of Saggila nan Izcr, ruled equally by Kobolds, Humans, Elves, and Orcs that existed some 1500 years before the Meridian's founding. The Prebetrye on the other hand was despotic and absolute, with a rigid no-nonsense political scene that only tolerated the facts and exacts as a cold, analytical democracy. The commonality between then and the more modern Meridian is the unprecedented level of freedom both powers grant, with only a handful of regulated systems to subsidize growth beyond what is normally possible alone. So long as there is no over-arching government with questionable leadership over a Gnoll, they will be as industrious as any other member of society within the same nation.
As counter-productive as it may sound, a Gnoll knows exactly what needs to be done and when without ever being told the details. Despite their appearance, the hyena-esque race is incredibly intelligent and calculating, for while they lack in creativity, they make up for it in sheer arithmetic and observation. Nothing escapes the ever-watchful gaze of the Gnolls, always unconsciously absorbing every single sound and sight of the world, and this natural instinct extends to societal applications such as mercantilism and administration. They are rarely ambitious and are perfectly content with experiencing the simple things in life, believing that the existence of such small joys is a direct reflection of the stability of their realm. Whichever organization finds themselves on the side of a Gnoll, all members within will receive the same warm graciousness that they would offer to their natural pack.
As a Meridii species, they most often align with the ideals of Ital Tek or Orax, whom despite their constant bickering exist in the perfect anarchic state that any Gnoll would thrive in. Astute, witty, and compulsive, they often occupy roles in which chaos is a living condition, such as that as chancellors, priests, factorers, smiths, warriors, and strangely enough, accountants. As stated previously, they do not excel at creatively demanding roles, but have quite the stamina and determination to best any tedious, arduous, and otherwise exhausting tasks with glee and zeal. The only thing a Gnoll lives for is to see their prey bested, but little did anyone know that this same inner drive is what motivates them on the council floor. Meridii Gnolls are almost genetically homogeneous like that of any other of their allied species; a consequence of their forced proximity within the civil perimeters. There are two known surviving subspecies of Gnoll today, though both are nearly identical behaviorally:
Bescit
Or "primal" Gnolls, this subspecies is slightly shorter than the average, though heavier. They have a very defined hunch, supported by an incredibly strong back structure that grants them impressive strength.Sriri
Or "human" Gnolls, this subspecies is slightly taller than the average, though lighter. They stand nearly upright, with most of their muscle mass concentrated in their thighs and legs. Rak
Scientific Name
Sahaktl
Lifespan
40 years
Average Height
7'1"
Average Weight
300lbs
Related Ethnicities
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