Gnoll (Nole)

Based on from the "Gnoll" ancestry - "Lost Omens: The Mwangi Expanse, pg. 111 - 113"
Gnolls, or Kholo as they refer to themselves, are the often misunderstood hyenafolk of Gnahri in eastern Sebaal. They are pragmatic and practical people who see wastefulness as the epitome of immorality. They are superb hunters and scavengers, and are extremely efficient in almost everything they do. Both these factors, combined with the harsh environments they live in, have caused some of their practices to seem horrifying and savage to outsiders, but despite this reputation as brutal bloodthirsty bandits, Gnolls rarely seek out trouble and would much rather keep to themselves. They aren't above attacking fools who are of no use to the pack, however.

You Might:

• Always try to work smarter, not harder.
• Be very physically demonstrative—often hugging, punching, or licking your friends.
• Keep a bone from a favourite relative to ask for advice.

Others Might:

• Are intimidated by your size, teeth, and eerie laugh.
• Assume that you are dishonourable or worse.
• Respect the brutal efficiency of your hunting style.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Gnolls are large, hyena-like humanoids with short muzzles, sharp teeth, and large and expressive round ears. Their bodies are covered in shaggy fur, rougher on the back and softer and lighter on the stomach and throat, usually in an off-white, tan, or brown shade—spots and stripes are both common. Gnolls typically stand between six and seven feet tall. Women are usually about a head taller than men, and correspondingly stronger.

Growth Rate & Stages

Gnolls are considered adults at fifteen, and live about 60 years on average, though some can reach a hundred or more in good health.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Newborn kholo are given a root name, typically that of a bone, plant, or animal (though never Hyena, as this is considered narcissistic and arrogant). As a gnoll reaches certain milestones in life, they add descriptors to their name. Root names are often passed down through families, while descriptors are chosen to fit the gnoll's personality, usually in raucous ceremonies.

Example Names

Baobab, Jackal, Onyx Elephant in Shadows, Red Thorn, Unbent Iron Reed, White Acacia, Wistful Tooth, Woodpecker

Society

Kholo generally live in clans of 10 to 20 interrelated family groups, containing between 100 to 200 gnolls. They are ruled by a council of female gnolls, typically selected from the oldest members of each family. This council of elders selects one of their number as a Chief Elder, who is essentially the first among equals and sets the agenda. The council is advised by the clan's bonekeeper and storyteller, as well as one or more younger gnolls who lead hunting and raiding packs.
Bonekeepers focus on tending to the wishes of gnoll ancestors and gods— they take their name from the ancestral bones that festoon their clothing and homes. Storytellers serve as teachers and sages, and are expected to have an encyclopedic knowledge of clan history, regional lore, and anything else relevant to the clan. They usually speak several languages.
Kholo women typically work as hunters, warriors, and leaders, while men become artisans, caretakers, and gatherers. However, adherence to gender roles varies from clan to clan. Members of any gender can become bonekeepers or storytellers, though nonbinary individuals are usually favoured in these roles, but these positions are often routes to authority for male gnolls.

Gnoll Heritages

Ant Gnoll

• From Lost Omens, The Mwangi Expanse pg. 111

You're a sharp-featured, big-eared gnoll about three feet tall. Many are sceptical that you are in fact a gnoll. Your size is Small instead of Medium. You are trained in Deception (or another skill if you were already trained in Deception). You gain a +1 circumstance bonus to Deception checks to Lie when specifically claiming innocence, to Deception DCs against Sense Motive checks to uncover such lies, and to initiative checks when you roll Deception for initiative.

Ant Gnoll

• From Lost Omens, The Mwangi Expanse pg. 111

You're a large, powerful gnoll, with tawny fur and brown spots on your hide. You gain 10 Hit Points from your ancestry instead of 8 and gain a +1 circumstance bonus to Athletics checks to Shove or Trip foes.

Sweetbreath Gnoll

• From Lost Omens, The Mwangi Expanse pg. 111

You're a striped, pale-furred gnoll with oddly pleasant breath, which you can use to entrance your prey. You are trained in Diplomacy (or another skill if you were already trained in Diplomacy). You also gain a +1 circumstance bonus to checks to Make an Impression if the target can smell your breath.

Witch Gnoll

• From Lost Omens, The Mwangi Expanse pg. 111

You're a shaggy, dark-furred gnoll capable of making some truly uncanny sounds. You can cast the ghost sound cantrip as an occult innate spell at will. A cantrip is heightened to a spell level equal to half your level rounded up. In addition, you gain a +1 circumstance bonus to checks to Impersonate and Create a Diversion when using only your voice.

Gnoll Ancestry Feats

1st Level

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Crunch - Feat 1

GNOLL

Description

• From Lost Omens, The Mwangi Expanse pg. 112

Your jaws can crush bone and bite through armor. Your jaws unarmed attack deals 1d8 piercing damage instead of 1d6 and gains the grapple trait.

Gnoll Lore - Feat 1

GNOLL

Description

• From Lost Omens, The Mwangi Expanse pg. 112

You paid attention to your senior hunters to learn their tricks. You gain the trained proficiency rank in Stealth and Survival. If you would automatically become trained in one of those skills (from your background or class, for example), you instead become trained in a skill of your choice. You also become trained in Gnoll Lore.

Gnoll Weapon Familiarity - Feat 1

GNOLL

Description

• From Lost Omens, The Mwangi Expanse pg. 112

You were taught to be a hunter and a raider. You are trained with flails, khopeshes, mambeles, spears, and war flails.

Hyena Familiar - Feat 1

GNOLL

Description

• From Lost Omens, The Mwangi Expanse pg. 112

Hyenas serve gnolls as pets, trackers, and in your case, vessels for spirits. You gain a Tiny hyena as a familiar.

Pack Hunter - Feat 1

GNOLL

Description

• From Lost Omens, The Mwangi Expanse pg. 112

You were taught how to hunt as part of a pack. You gain a +2 circumstance bonus to checks to Aid, and your allies gain a +2 circumstance bonus to checks to Aid you.

Sensitive Nose - Feat 1

GNOLL

Description

• From Lost Omens, The Mwangi Expanse pg. 112

Your large black nose isn't just for show. You gain imprecise scent with a range of 30 feet.

Special

You can take this feat only at 1st level, and you can’t retrain out of this feat or into this feat.

5th Level

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Distant Cackle - Feat 5

GNOLL

Requirements Witch Gnoll Heritage

Description

• From Lost Omens, The Mwangi Expanse pg. 112

It takes a very brave person to enter the laughter-haunted forest where you dwell. You can cast ventriloquism once per day as a 1st-level occult innate spell.
Applications Once Per Day

Gnoll Weapon Practicality - Feat 5

GNOLL

Requirements Gnoll Weapon Familiarity Feat

Description

• From Lost Omens, The Mwangi Expanse pg. 113

Whenever you critically hit using flails, khopeshes, mambeles, spears, and war flails, you apply the weapon's critical specialization effect.

Pack Stalker - Feat 5

GNOLL

Requirements Pack Hunter Feat, Expert in Stealth

Description

• From Lost Omens, The Mwangi Expanse pg. 113

Ambushes are an honoured gnoll tradition. You gain the Terrain Stalker feat and can extend its effects to a single ally so long as they remain within 10 ft. of you. If you have master proficiency in Stealth, you can extend the effect to two allies. If you have legendary proficiency in Stealth, you can extend it to four allies.

Right-Hand Blood - Feat 5

GNOLL

Description

• From Lost Omens, The Mwangi Expanse pg. 113

It's said that the flesh of the right side of a hyena can heal diseases, but that of the left side is poisonous. You can take 1 damage to feed someone blood from your right side and Administer First Aid or take 2d8 damage to Treat Disease or Treat Wounds; in either case, you don't need healer's tools, and gain a +1 item bonus. Blood from your left side causes the check to critically fail automatically.

9th Level

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Breath Like Honey - Feat 9

GNOLL

Requirements Sweetbreath Gnoll Herritage

Description

• From Lost Omens, The Mwangi Expanse pg. 113

You smell of honey and savory things. You can cast enthrall as a 3rd-level occult innate spell once per day, except the spell has a range of 30 feet and the inhaled trait instead of the auditory trait. Targets don't gain any circumstance bonus for disagreeing with you. Your circumstance bonus to checks to Make an Impression if the target can smell your breath increases to +2.

Grandmother's Wisdom - Feat 5

GNOLL

Description

• From Lost Omens, The Mwangi Expanse pg. 113

You carry the bones of your ancestors with you, and you can ask them for counsel. You can cast augury twice per day as a 2nd-level occult innate spell.
Applications Twice Per Day

Laughing Gnoll - Feat 9

GNOLL

Requirements Master in Intimidation

Description

• From Lost Omens, The Mwangi Expanse pg. 113

A gnoll's sinister giggle is a sound of warning and threat. You gain the Battle Cry skill feat. You don't take a penalty when you attempt to Demoralize a creature that doesn't understand your language.

13th Level

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Ancestor's Rage - Feat 13

GNOLL

Description

• From Lost Omens, The Mwangi Expanse pg. 113

You transform into an enormous otherworldly hyena. You can cast animal form (canine form only) once per day as a 5th-level occult innate spell.
Applications Once Per Day

Gnoll Weapon Expertise - Feat 13

GNOLL

Requirements Gnoll Weapon Practicality Feat

Description

• From Lost Omens, The Mwangi Expanse pg. 113

Whenever you gain a class feature that grants you expert or greater proficiency in a given weapon or weapons, you also gain that proficiency in flails, khopeshes, mambeles, spears, and war flails.

Rarity

Common

Hit Dice

8

Size

Medium

Speed

25

Ability Boosts

Strength, Intelligence, Free

Ability Flaw

Wisdom

Languages

• Common
• Gnahri
• Additional languages equal to your Intelligence modifier if it’s positive. Choose from either Shisk or from the list of common Languages and any other languages to which you have access (such as the languages prevalent in your region)

Traits

Gnoll, Humanoid

Low-Light Vision

You can see in dim light as though it were bright light, so you ignore the concealed condition due to dim light.

Bite

Your sharp teeth and powerful jaws are fearsome weapons. You have a jaws unarmed attack that deals 1d6 piercing damage. Your jaws are in the brawling group.

Mature at

15 years

Lifespan

60 years

Average Height

200cm

Average Weight

105kg (23 bulk)