Gnoll
Gnolls are infamous among races such as humans and elves for their brutality and demonic heritage. For the most part, they aren't wrong. Many gnoll packs are indeed aggressive and have a demonic side to their affairs. Most gnolls are still under the control of the demon lord Yeenoghu, being crazed ever-hungry monsters. But there are communities of gnolls free of his horrid apocalyptic vision.
Basic Information
Growth Rate & Stages
Gnolls reach adulthood at age 12, and they live short and brutal lives.
Additional Information
Social Structure
While there may be struggles within packs to determine who the alpha is, throughout these conflicts, both sides remain allies. To gnolls, the good of the pack is far more important than any personal glory. As a result, gnolls can be loyal to a fault to their chosen pack. In battle gnolls strive endlessly to prevent their packmates from being harmed, even taking an injury themselves.
Furthermore, a gnoll's mind is undeniably primal. They are natural predators and love the thrill and challenge of the hunt. This has resulted in a few traits in most gnolls. For the most part, gnolls prefer the wilds to any sort of urban area, though there are exceptions who see a city as a unique form of wilderness. Moreover, gnolls typically avoid diplomacy in favor of intimidating an answer out of others. It is simpler that way.
Facial characteristics
Gnolls have reflective eyes that are typically bright green or yellow.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Gnolls range far and wide primarily living in the wilds in small nomadic tribes traveling through grasslands and deserts.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Honed by years of hunting at night, Gnolls possess Darkvision and a heightened sense of smell.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
The brutality of gnolls is reflected even in their names which tend to have many harsh consonants.
Male: Dagnyr, Dhyrn, Doryc, Ghyrryn, Gnasc, Gnoryc, Gnyrn, Hyrn, Lhoryn, Lhyr, Mognyr, Sorgnyn, Thyrn, Toryc, Yrgnyn, Yrych
Female: Dagnyra, Gnara, Gnora, Gnyrl, Hyra, Hyrgna, Lhyra, Lhyrl, Malgna, Myrl, Sargna, Shyrla, Tarnyra, Yrgna
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Gnolls are widely known as raiders and slavers. In the middle of the night, they attack a village or town, killing and eating guards and taking slaves. These slaves are then brutalized physically and mentally. This has become an art among many gnoll tribes. In fact, many gnoll tribes have “tantekurash” or “spirit breakers” who are experts at breaking the wills of slaves. If the slave resists, he/she is eaten. Occasionally a slave’s mind becomes so broken they revere the brutality of their gnoll captors. They then become “kryshantel” or “savage souls” who follow their gnoll masters into battle as thralls.
However, not all gnoll tribes are evil. There are a scattered few nomadic tribes who specialize as hunters and trappers. They may even come to peacefully interact with other races and often offer their service as hunters or trappers. Even so, they remain fairly aggressive and quick to anger, so other races have to be careful not to offend them.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Savage Gnolls are often immediately aggressive towards outsiders, choosing quick and savage violence over any type of negotiation. However, Gnolls that live within the enclaves of civilization have grown to be more open to different species. While Civilized Gnolls are still slow to trust, once a bond has been established they are often loyal beyond approach.
Lifespan
70 years
Average Height
Males: 7'
Females: 7'7"
Average Weight
Male: 250lbs
Females: 300lbs
Average Physique
Gnoll females are taller and more powerfully built than their male counterparts. A lean, muscular 7-foot tall gnoll can be an imposing sight. Despite their musculature, they move rather quickly, easily outpacing most other races. Gnolls also outpace most other races in how quickly they mature.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Gnolls have a thick coat of fur, which is generally light brown or dark brown. Certain clans may possess a single-colored coat or a spotted or striped coat. Some gnolls possess crest-like manes of hair going from their head down their spine which rise up when they become frightened or angry.
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