Gnoll
Known across the World as scavengers, raiders, bandits, and warlike monsters, the hyena-like gnolls have had an uphill reputational battle the entire time they've coexisted with other species. What they see as normal cultural practices and traditions, like fist-fighting or eating the dead, tend to shock other species.
Those who take the time to break down the barriers to friendship with a gnoll will find a devoted and brutally honest ally, and often a peculiar sense of humor hidden underneath their intimidating exterior.
Frightening Physique
Tall and learn with tough musculature hidden just beneath their coarse fur, gnolls are an imposing sight. The earthy tones of their skin are matched by fur colors ranging from browns, to yellows and reds. There are rumors and whispers that dark magic flows through the blood of gnolls, giving them a propensity to violence and evil deeds. The folk who believe these myths point to red eyes, black spots or stripes on fur, and extra long talons or fangs as evidence of demonic blood or dark magical energy. Gnolls tend to let out their characteristic cackles when told of these beliefs. Male and female gnolls have no distinct differences in appearance, despite a common misconception that the males are smaller. Many other species refer to gnolls they don't personally know by gender neutral language such as "they" or "that gnoll" until they can figure out if they're speaking to a woman or man.Combative Culture
Many other species see gnolls as aggressive and feral, both men and women, and prone to fighting and violence. Gnoll children will fight when they play, often with more intensity than Leonin cubs would, but these fights are simply part of growing up. As soon as someone wins, the fight is over and the children are friends again. This use of combat to solve problems continues into adulthood. Siblings will battle ferociously for dominance of a family unit, but these battles and the wounds they cause are forgotten quickly after the fact. When talking with others, gnolls tend to demand answers rather than ask politely - a quality they see as a strength, but others read as rudeness. The family unit is the most important part of gnoll culture. Gnolls are fiercely loyal to their families above all else and will protect them to the death without hesitation. The same siblings who were about to beat each other unconscious will instantly band together against any foe if they feel their family is threatened. This loyalty extends to all members of a bloodline, traced matrilineally. This need for family leads gnolls who have been separated or orphaned from blood relatives to build a surrogate pack or family from those they consider closest, even breaking species barriers.Scavengers
There are two gnoll practices that tend to draw the most ire and confusion from other species. Scavenging is the first. This can be as simple as taking a trophy after a battle to prove a victory, though that trophy can range from something as mundane as a bolt of cloth or piece of jewelry, to something more drastic like a whole severed hand or collection of teeth. Military bands made up of gnoll are known for leaving little in the villages they strike. The fleeing populace might come home to discover that the only things left in their homes are the things that were nailed down. These trophies are put to good use by gnoll bounty hunters, who use their keen sense of smell to track their quarries from their possessions. The second, more extreme and far rarer, is that of carrion-eating. Contrary to common decency and the beliefs of most folk, some gnolls have no qualms about eating the freshly deceased of other species. After a deadly skirmish, gnolls may scour the battlefield, gathering their next meal. This practice is discouraged by mainstream gnoll culture in an attempt to better mesh with other species, but there are cultural and religious groups who still continue to eat the dead. Even among these fringe groups, it's considered bad form to dig up bodies or raid graveyards, as the dead who have been buried are off limits. You can use the gnoll personality table to determine a personality trait or inspire a mannerism for your character.Names
In the same way there's very little physical difference between male and female gnoll, there is little difference in naming convention. Almost all gnoll names are applicable to either sex, and are chosen by the mother when a cub reaches six months of age. Gnoll Names: Andak, Eyeth, Ignar, Orrom, Ultak.Gnoll Traits
Your gnoll character has the following species traits: Ability Score Increase Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1. Age Gnolls live shorter lives than most other medium species. Alignment Gnolls lean towards chaotic alignments. Size Your size is medium. Speed Your base walking speed is 30 feet. Darkvision A master of nocturnal hunting, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray. Bite Your fanged maw is a natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with it, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike. Rampage When you reduce a creature to 0 hit points with a melee attack on your turn, you may use a bonus action to move up to half your speed and make a bite attack. Scavenger As part of a short rest, you can harvest bone and hide from a slain beast, construct, dragon, monstrosity, or plant creature of size Small or larger to create one of the following items: a shield, a club, a javelin, or 1d4 darts or blowgun needles. To use this trait, you need a blade, such as a dagger, or appropriate artisan’s tools, such as leatherworker’s tools.Mom's House, Mom's Rules
The matriarch of a gnoll family is the de-facto head of the house. This can be the mother, grandmother, aunt, or oldest daughter - having children of your own isn't a strict requirement. Decisions regarding the family, children, home, family business, or how the household interacts with the community ultimately fall to her. Though typically individual decisions are left up to an individual gnoll, the questions of "what would your mother think?" carries a greater weight with gnolls than other species.Gnoll Among Others
Gnolls tend to have a difficult time adapting to life in major urban areas. Some will tell you this is because of their nature, but in truth, it's largely cultural discrimination. Those who take the time to make friends with a neighbor gnoll can count on them for nearly anything, and the great physical capabilities of most gnoll make them excellent laborers when hired. Some nations have all-gnoll regiments in their militaries, and they're known for fighting till the bitter end. If your gnoll character grew up in a major area, how did they cope with or break down cultural barriers that might have worked against them? What sort of role in their community did they find?
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