Gnoll

Though hard to believe Gnolls originated as dwarves in a time long passed though the first transformation is so long ago now that only those oldest of Dwarven scholars still know it to be anymore than a cautionary tale. 
Whatever the truth it is known that Yeenoghu came into being beneath the mountains and dwells their still. Yeenoghu is a monstrous entity and remains the only of gnollkind able to birth new gnolls without dying itself. Those few who have witnessed the hungering monster claim Yeenoghu stand giant among others fuelled by an unending hunger for anything in sight be that gnoll, dwarf or any other mer or divine aside.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Gnolls tend to travel on all fours but are capable of standing and operating on two legs when they wish. Their bodies are covered with fur whose colour is often derived from the skin tone of the entity eaten for their conception and is often patterned in a way that is descended from their parent. Gnolls have sharp teeth and facial features similar to hyena and often more distinctive scraggly hair along their neck which can come in any colour. Gnolls are muscular creatures and often find themselves littered with scars from battle.

Genetics and Reproduction

All gnolls are asexual by nature and lack any proper reproductive organs. All Gnolls do however possess a womb connected to their stomach which allows them to form new gnolls by consuming flesh. As such any gnoll that feasts may become pregnant, which feels as if stuffed, and give birth to a new pack of their kind. Gnolls rarely birth a single child at a time, unless that child consumed all its kin before eating its way through their parent, and thus can quickly replenish their numbers.
Gnolls must consume usually at least twice their body weight to begin gestation which takes two months and 'births' live young. With no exit from their bodies for the offspring the gnolls children are forced to feast their way through their parent to leave. This always results in the death of the parent who is then consumed as the young gnolls gain strength.

Growth Rate & Stages

Gnolls have short lifespan and often reach full maturity within four months of their birth. Gnoll development can be expedited by access to large stores of food or slowed by the withdrawal from it and often gnoll children are the last to eat. 
Once matured Gnolls tend to experience a gradual mental decline until they reach their thirties at which point they struggle to tell other gnolls apart from enemies and are often killed among their own.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Gnolls require constant feeding and have an endless insatiable hunger until they consume enough to become pregnant with more Gnolls which provides them with a final peace from their hunger.
Gnolls can consume anything organic and have been known to feast on stones and jewellery where they have no alternative. Despite their endless sense of hunger Gnolls actually require little more than a human to sustain their bodies with the hunger acting largely as a biological sign to encourage conception.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Gnolls possess latent arcanum in their forms but are rarely able to muster magic except with the aid of magical items they have consumed or unintentionally equipped that grant them heightened sentience and thought.

Civilization and Culture

Common Myths and Legends

Dwarven Gnoll Creation Story:
A dwarven kingd was eager to conquer all his enemies to enshrine his name for all time in legend.

The Drow were first to be attacked and met his men with magic and obsidian but the dwarf king was strong and crushed them with his own might. So after the army feasted in Drow halls upon Drow meat. Songs were sung. A feast for all to remember.

The Duregar were second to be attacked and met his men with black magic and trickery but the dwarf king was honourable and crushed them with his strength of mind. So after the army feasted in Duregar halls upon Duregar meat. Songs were sung. A feast for all to remember.

The Gnomes below were the next to be attacked and met his men with science and fire but the dwarf king was faithful and crushed them with his strength of prayer. So after the army feasted in Gnomish halls upon Gnomish meet. Songs were sung. A feast for all to remember.

Yet so hungry a king would soon suffer for his gluttony. A conspiracy within his own lands, no longer content to live in service to this conquerer, spread poison amidst the meat butchering those loyal warriors of the king. As the king sat choking himself an ancient power appeared before him, a power forgotten and lost, and it offered him, the master of feasts, a chance to destroy his foes. Hungry for revenge as he had oft been for others meat the king was transformed into a ravenous beast. All of the court were killed and turned so too into masters of a feast they could never leave...

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Dwarf

Scientific Name

Nisa Qeg

Origin/Ancestry

Primate

Lifespan

30-40 years

Average Height

Standing: 2.1-2.3m