Gnoll

"SHOULD YOU BE SO BRAZEN OR MISFORTUNED
to stand before the savage hyenafolk, take heed. They bear an appetite not for gold, nor such ideals as honor or mercy. Only those who might prove their true loyalty to the Hyena King's formidable children may be spared from the gnolls' cursed barbarity and made witness to the frightening devotion that they otherwise reserve for their own."

   — Matron Mothcatcher, The Denwarden's Rebellion

Thrill of the Hunt

Fierce and feral, gnolls are true creatures of the wild; they oft prove uninterested in conquest and very seldom seek fortune or glory. Instead, gnolls are driven by instinct and impulse; they revel in the thrill of the hunt and usually take great pride in their predatory nature. They tend to seek out means of proving their worth to their allies and, being boastful scavengers, may commemorate their successes by claiming trophies, be they simple mementos or the bones of their foes.

Hierarchy and Competition

Like hyenas, gnolls exhibit a notable degree of social hierarchy within their clans. And in order to ensure the strength of this hierarchy, it is an honored tradition for those of similar standing to ceremoniously challenge each other's authority- each proudly vying to prove their superiority and worthiness to their packmates. Furthermore, gnolls are remarkably communal and it is not uncommon for decently-sized clans to be headed by more than one packlord. In the largest of clans, these overlords may also organize small, representative councils of venerated elders and packwardens- paragons who lead the clan's largest & most reputable packs.

Territorial Clankeepers

The rare gnolls that see fit not to make conflict with their neighbors are nevertheless likely to remain wholly aloof; the beastfolk seldom mingle with other humanoids, and in such engagements often prove reluctant to show much in the way of hospitality. Many gnolls are notably unsettled by strange folk, and those who show anything less than antagonism towards outsiders generally still regard them with some degree of contempt or suspicion. Due to their competitive nature, individual clans of gnolls are also often instinctively hostile towards each other- and this aggression usually extends to all gnollish outsiders, making any attempt of joining a new pack an often difficult and even dangerous one.

Hunters and Wanderers

Owing to their animal ancestry, gnolls inherently favor wild, wayfaring lifestyles. Some practice related trades- such as leatherworking and herbalism- or take up animal husbandry, training pack animals and taming dangerous beasts. Though most gnolls seldom approach anyone outside of their clans, some more enterprising hunters might be willing
to offer their services to local people as
trappers or trackers.

Strength of Flesh, Wisdom of Bones

There are few who might view cannibalism- ritualistic or otherwise- as anything but unholy barbarism. Likewise, the vivisection and consumption of the deceased oft bears no regard as a respectable tradition among most civilized folk. But to many gnolls, consuming a creature's innards and making keepsakes of its remains are the utter most sacred forms of respect that can be given to the dead. In some clans, their fallen kin are ceremoniously butchered by shamans, their spiritual leaders distributing parts of the body- such as claws, fangs, or fur- among the deceased's packmates.

Whether ritualistic cannibalism among the hyenafolk arose from the worship of Yeenoghu- or conversely strengthened the demon lord's reign over them- is unknown. Nonetheless, those gnolls who fear the curse of hunger rarely consume any part of the honored dead with the exception of a single vital organ they've deemed sacred- the most common of which is the liver. In such clans, the deceased's liver will be granted to the next of kin to be devoured before the whole pack so that the power of the fallen may be shared with those who endure. Likewise, ribs and teeth are often kept and made into crafts, the belief being that it is from their bones that one draws their passion, their instincts, and their wisdom.

Consequently, totemism and ancestor worship are fairly common among the hyenafolk, and gnollish practices of divination frequently involve the use of bones and hides that have been gathered from revered forebears, companion animals, or other spirited creatures that had won the respect a gnoll in their lifetime. While others may regard such grisly mementos with disgust or fear, the bones of a cherished ancestor might serve a gnoll as a deeply moving reminder of life- and thus be a remarkable source of spiritual courage.

The Curse of Hunger

Gnolls harbor an unnatural viciousness that can be quick to arise in moments of intense anger or prolonged periods of hunger. Placed upon the hyenafolk by Yeenoghu in ages long past, their curse presents itself as a primal need to hunt the weak, to tear flesh from bone, and to savagely feast to no end.

Some gnolls, however, fight these dark impulses and detest the vile rituals that reinforce them. Their clans boldly spurn their patron's persistent growls, refusing his demands for destruction such that they might finally rule themselves. Still, they know that their curse is a truly malicious fixation; that any gnoll who becomes too strongly driven by aggression risks a violent and maddening descent into bloodlust.

Leaving the Pack

You may have come from a tribe of shamanistic hunters, wild and true to your nature; you may have belonged to a roaming clan of marauders or a nomadic congregation of trappers and traders; or perhaps you were seperated from your kin long ago and have lived among other races in a somewhat difficult yet deeply valued fellowship. Whatever your origins, know that a gnoll's pack instinct are strong and that few leave their clans by choice. Finally, consider that all of gnollkind shares an ancient and bloody history with Yeenoghu; though you may have slipped his cursed grasp, your kin will
forever bear the ruinous scars of the demon
lord's cruel and pervasive subjugation.

Gnoll Names

Gnoll cubs are customarily raised communally by elders of the clan known as 'denmothers', who typically name each cub after their first season of childhood. A gnoll's name usually holds a meaning inspired by their appearance, behavior, or some other facet of their early life. Like most words in the Gnoll language, gnoll names are often short and guttural.

• Male Names: Arri, Arym, Braunr, Dagnyr, Drakar, Fangar, Ferrik, Garr, Garm, Garrun, Gnarl, Gorik, Greszik, Grahl, Grym, Hakryn, Herne, Ishkr, Kaal, Mognyr, Ragnr, Rekk, Ruenr, Skarn, Thrakk, Thrnn, Vargr, Varok, Vekryn, Zaryn

• Female Names: Asza, Brauna, Dagrun, Drakka, Durna, Ferra, Garra, Gnara, Gorza, Grakka, Gresza, Grymda, Gudrun, Ishka, Kaia, Krezka, Krsha, Kylma, Mala, Mrna, Mrsha, Reeva, Runara, Saga, Shara, Vakra, Yara, Zudya

Gnoll Traits

Your gnoll character gains the follow characteristics.

Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution and Strength scores each increase by 1.

Age. By the combination of their fiend-touched blood and animalistic physiology, gnolls develop noticeably faster than most humanoids of their size, reaching adulthood around 8 years of age. They rarely live beyond 40 years.

Size. Gnolls generally stand around 7 feet in height and weigh between 250 and 350lbs. Most gnolls exhibit a slightly hunched posture due to their animalistic physique. Your size is medium.

Alignment. Being highly opportunistic, most gnolls are chaotic by nature. Furthermore, their demonic ancestry and common disregard for other intelligent creatures steer many of the hyenafolk towards evil. Gnolls who refuse the will of Yeenoghu may adopt other alignments, though they tend to keep to the leanings of their packmates.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

 Bite. Your bite 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.

Darkvision. Being moderately nocturnal, 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.

Ferocious. You gain proficiency in the Intimidation skill.

 Scavenger. You can safely consume raw or rotten food and have advantage on saving throws against disease and ingested poisons.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common. You can also speak Gnoll, though it lacks a script or written form.

Gnolls employ their own oral language made up of unique whoops, growls, and other sounds combined with certain morphemes derived from Abyssal. Though some gnoll clans might adopt written languages, most preserve their ideas through craftwork and oral tradition.

Subrace. The following representative gnoll clans are available as subrace options: Clan Blackfang, Clan Mosshide, Clan Riverpaw, and Clan Grimfur.

Blackfang Gnoll

Mighty and merciless, the gnolls of Clan Blackfang embrace their ancestral ferocity, readily wielding it against their foes.

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases
by 1.

Rampage. Immediately after you reduce a creature to 0 hit points with a melee attack on your turn, you can use a bonus action or reaction to move up to half of your speed and make an additional attack with your bite or with a melee weapon.

Mosshide Gnoll

As skilled ambushers and pack hunters, the gnolls of
Clan Mosshide are notoriously swift at felling their prey.

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases
by 1.

Ambusher. You gain proficiency in the Stealth skill.

Pack Hunter. You are especially adept at collaborating with and directing your allies. Whenever you succeed as part of a group skill check using a skill you are proficient in, it counts as two successes for the group.

Riverpaw Gnoll

Bearing such powerful spiritual connections to the natural world that they count wild beasts among their packs, the gnolls of Clan Riverpaw are among the few known to venerate druids, sages, and oracles.

Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases
by 1.

Gorellik's Gift. You have an innate intuition towards animals and have advantage on Animal Handling checks as well as Charisma ability checks you make to influence beasts.

Additionally, by their nature as Gorellik's chosen creatures, carnivoran and predatory animals- such as bears, cats, and hyenas- can understand your speech.

Sagecraft. You gain proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: Animal Handling, Insight, Medicine, Perception, and Survival.

Grimfur Gnoll

Rarely seen but deeply feared, the cunning gnolls of Clan Grimfur wield dread and deceit as lethally as any weapon.

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases
by 1.

Butcher's Lure. You can lure your quarry to their own demise with frightening ease. You know the minor illusion cantrip. Additionally, when you use minor illusion to replicate the sound of a humanoid, its range is doubled and you impose disadvantage on any Investigation checks made to disbelieve the effect. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell.

Gnoll Racial Feats

As a gnoll, you can take any of the following feats in place of an Ability Score Improvement.

Gnoll Deities

Eradicated by the Demon Prince Yeenoghu and long lost to written history, the strange and ancient gods of the gnolls, Gorellik and Refnara, are known only to an exceptional few.