Gnolls

'Plenty of my kin are vicious, but not all of us. We're people, as variable as you. We're just a bit more efficient at being wicked than most.' - Zuri, horsewoman

Gnolls are a bestial humanoid race, appearing as hyenas, standing heads over most humans on two legs. Their patron is the Goddess of Chaos, and so many of them choose to embrace chaos, becoming bandits at murderers. In nature, gnolls cohabit in nomadic tribes, the larger females taking most important roles in the tribe. Cannibalism, among both themselves and the hyenas they keep as pets, is common, and it's said that their cubs will kill and eat their siblings shortly after birth. Their large, muscular bodies, claws, and powerful jaws make these tribes a force to be reckoned with for any unlucky enough to end up in their way. Equally, however, many reject their unkind mother goddess, living among society as anyone else. Despite their unkind reputation, they are as intelligent and wise as anyone else, and made excellent friends for those who accept them as they are.

Basic Information

Ecology and Habitats

Gnolls are very adaptable and, though many are found in warmer areas, where one would find the hyenas they resemble, their thick fur makes them very tolerant to the cold.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Gnolls are primarily carnivores, with a hardy digestive system allowing them to eat almost any animal matter, including that which is already rotting and even bones.

Biological Cycle

Gnolls mature quickly, able to walk shortly after birth and reaching physical maturity around the age of ten. They give birth to litters of around six cubs, who are noted for their aggression to all but their mother for a few weeks after birth.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Gnolls have hyena-like faces, with powerful snouts and front-facing eyes. Notably, their necks often extend forwards rather than upwards, giving them a very hunched appearance.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Gnolls have a single name in their own language.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Gnolls have their own language, known as Gnoll, which sounds very similar to the laughing vocalisations of hyenas (and it said to allow some limited communication with them). For most other species, Gnoll is impossible to speak properly, due to anatomical differences.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Traditional gnoll culture mostly focuses around chaos, making their tribes closer to bands of marauders than true civilisations. The tribe is usually led by whomever is strongest and can kill the past leader, almost always a female.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Due to the nature of most gnoll tribes, gnolls are widely distrusted in most of the world - outside of the Mongrel Kingdoms, where gnolls were among the slaves who founded the land. For the most part, while individuals may be trusted, gnolls as a whole are not.

Lifespan

100 years

Average Height

Significantly taller than humans, with females being even taller than males.

Average Weight

Significant, due to their high muscle mass

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Gnolls have patterns of fur similar to hyenas, usually yellow or brown and marked with a number of spotted or striped patterns.