In the Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron, on page 84, it is mentioned that you can play a gnoll. It doesn't list any racial traits, though, so I'm wondering - was this released in another book and I'm just missing it?
No official books that I am aware of (I have everything on DDB). It also mentions minotaurs which are only in the GGtR book so far. Maybe it is just future proofing.
We can only guess really, but it's possible they were going to add these races to the Wayfinder's Guide, but weren't happy with how they worked, so didn't do so.
Also, it's worth remembering that the author of the Eberron setting, Keith Baker, is working on further books for the setting.
I'd thoroughly enjoy a dog-like, humanoid race to play as...
If nothing else than to balance-out the presence of the Tabaxi race. ; )
You could have them be a gnoll, certainly...or perhaps a race that is the permanent product of lycan ancestors, or shifters.
They could even be similar to the aasimar...except their divine, celestial heritage originates from the hound archons...the greatsword-wielding, fist-fighting guardians of the innocent.
As a gnoll, you could be a former mercenary who’s chosen to stay with comrades you met during your service; as a rule, Znir gnolls are deeply loyal to those that they consider to be members of their pack. You might be driven by curiosity, eager to explore the world beyond Droaam. You could be driven by visions of a demonic power rising in the Five Nations or working on behalf of the Daughters of Sora Kell. Or you could be a mercenary still, insisting on regular payment for your ongoing services to the party.
I wouldn't say it actually says you can play a gnoll, but rather just assumes you can. It's listed under "Other Races" like aasimar, dragonborn, gith, and goblinoids.
It looks like that text has been there since the first version of WGTE. I suspect it was included, as mentioned, either for future-proofing or as an idea that was considered but ended up being scrapped. If you want an official answer, you'll probably have to ask Keith Baker himself - he's active on Twitter and Reddit, and obviously on his blog as well.
Definitely would love to play a Gnoll, because screw stereotyping them being with a demon lord. I want to play man's best friend.
In most settings in the wider DnD multiverse, they are literally born of Yeenoghu, sooo... not so much a stereotype as it is literal, verifiable, objective truth.
But Eberron is purposefully different, so yeah, let's play man's best hyena friend. :D
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Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
I use the following racial bits for PC version of Gnoll, feel free to use if you like it:
Race: Gnoll Gain +2 Str, +1 Cons. Age: Gnolls typically mature around 9 or 10 years old, reaching around 50 to 60 years of age. However, abyssal gnolls are said to live for up to centuries. Alignment. Despite misconceptions, many gnolls are loyal towards their circles. However, they could care less towards the views and laws of other societies. As such, tend towards neutral alignments. However, Abyssal Gnolls tend towards chaotic evil. Speed: 30ft. Size: Despite being a Medium sized creature, gnolls are usually pretty tall beings. Some stretch well over 6-7 feet. Darkvision: 60ft. Carrion Eater: Your exposure to sickly flesh and gross meats has fortified your body against plagues and filth. You gain advantage on saves vs. diseases and poisons. Bite: Your powerful jaws can snap through bones and bring foes to ruin. You are considered proficient with this attack and base damage is 1d4 piercing damage, using your Strength for attack/damage. This base damage increases to 1d6 at 6th level, 1d8 at 12th level, and 1d10 at 18th level. You may also use this attack as an “off-hand” attack as a bonus action. Savage Attacker: You gain the Rampage ability: x1 per SR/LR, If you drop a target to zero hit points you can move up to half of your movement and make a bite attack against another target. Survivalist: Gain survival as a bonus skill.
Edit: The current version of this in the spoiler below should you want it:
Looking back at that post there are a couple of wording changes I made. The current version is:
Race: Gnoll Gain +2 Str, +1 Cons. Age: Gnolls typically mature around 9 or 10 years old, reaching around 50 to 60 years of age. However, abyssal gnolls are said to live for up to centuries. Alignment. Despite misconceptions, many gnolls are loyal towards their famnily units which are known as "Cackles". However, they could care less towards the views and laws of other societies. As such, tend towards neutral alignments. However, Abyssal Gnolls tend towards chaotic evil. Speed: 30ft. Size: Despite being a Medium sized creature, gnolls are usually pretty tall beings. Some stretch well over 6-7 feet. Darkvision: 60ft. Carrion Eater: Your exposure to sickly flesh and gross meats has fortified your body against plagues and filth. You gain advantage on saving throws vs. diseases and poisons and have resistance to Posion Damage. Bite: Your powerful jaws can snap through bones and bring foes to ruin. You are considered proficient with this attack and base damage is 1d4 piercing damage, using your Strength for attack/damage. This base damage increases to 1d6 at 6th level, 1d8 at 12th level, and 1d10 at 18th level. When you take the Attack action you may make one bite attack as a bonus action. Savage Attacker: You gain the Rampage ability and can use it once per short rest, If you hit a target witha melee attack and it falls to zero hit points you can use your Reaction to move up to half of your movement and make a bite attack against another target. Survivalist: Gain survival as a bonus skill.
I'd thoroughly enjoy a dog-like, humanoid race to play as...
I can't speak to D&D specifically, but traditionally in other media Gnolls are based on hyenas, rather than dogs, wolves, or wild dogs. And hyenas are more closely related to cats than they are to dogs.
I'd thoroughly enjoy a dog-like, humanoid race to play as...
I can't speak to D&D specifically, but traditionally in other media Gnolls are based on hyenas, rather than dogs, wolves, or wild dogs. And hyenas are more closely related to cats than they are to dogs.
Gnolls are hyenas in DnD as well, actually created/born by hyenas who eat the flesh of things killed by other gnolls or Yeenoghu-related demons like shoosuvas.
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Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
Definitely would love to play a Gnoll, because screw stereotyping them being with a demon lord. I want to play man's best friend.
In most settings in the wider DnD multiverse, they are literally born of Yeenoghu, sooo... not so much a stereotype as it is literal, verifiable, objective truth.
But Eberron is purposefully different, so yeah, let's play man's best hyena friend. :D
I'd thoroughly enjoy a dog-like, humanoid race to play as...
I can't speak to D&D specifically, but traditionally in other media Gnolls are based on hyenas, rather than dogs, wolves, or wild dogs. And hyenas are more closely related to cats than they are to dogs.
And they did add the shifter race. Be a dog/wolf shifter.
As a gnoll, you could be a former mercenary who’s chosen to stay with comrades you met during your service; as a rule, Znir gnolls are deeply loyal to those that they consider to be members of their pack. You might be driven by curiosity, eager to explore the world beyond Droaam. You could be driven by visions of a demonic power rising in the Five Nations or working on behalf of the Daughters of Sora Kell. Or you could be a mercenary still, insisting on regular payment for your ongoing services to the party.
I wouldn't say it actually says you can play a gnoll, but rather just assumes you can. It's listed under "Other Races" like aasimar, dragonborn, gith, and goblinoids.
It looks like that text has been there since the first version of WGTE. I suspect it was included, as mentioned, either for future-proofing or as an idea that was considered but ended up being scrapped. If you want an official answer, you'll probably have to ask Keith Baker himself - he's active on Twitter and Reddit, and obviously on his blog as well.
Thanks for the response. I was just confused that it listed gnolls as a playable option. All the other races mentioned (that listed as well) - aasimars, dragonborn, gith, and goblinoids - are all playable races that have been published in multiple books. Gnolls are the only ones that really stood out to me in that section because it acted like you could play them.
I'd love to play as a gnoll, but this would basically never work in Forgotten Realms.
How? Other "evil" or "enemy" races like minotaurs, goblins, and the like are all playable.
Other enemy races aren't literal chaotic evil demon spawn (as DevanAvalon lore dropped on us). And here is a bit more lore from the MM:
No goodness or compassion resides in the heart of a gnoll. Like a demon, it lacks anything resembling a conscience, and can’t be taught or coerced to put aside its destructive tendencies.
Of course a DM can overrule anything, but generally Levi's statement is true.
I'd love to play as a gnoll, but this would basically never work in Forgotten Realms.
How? Other "evil" or "enemy" races like minotaurs, goblins, and the like are all playable.
Other enemy races aren't literal chaotic evil demon spawn (as DevanAvalon lore dropped on us). And here is a bit more lore from the MM:
No goodness or compassion resides in the heart of a gnoll. Like a demon, it lacks anything resembling a conscience, and can’t be taught or coerced to put aside its destructive tendencies.
Of course a DM can overrule anything, but generally Levi's statement is true.
I'd love to play as a gnoll, but this would basically never work in Forgotten Realms.
How? Other "evil" or "enemy" races like minotaurs, goblins, and the like are all playable.
Other enemy races aren't literal chaotic evil demon spawn (as DevanAvalon lore dropped on us). And here is a bit more lore from the MM:
No goodness or compassion resides in the heart of a gnoll. Like a demon, it lacks anything resembling a conscience, and can’t be taught or coerced to put aside its destructive tendencies.
Of course a DM can overrule anything, but generally Levi's statement is true.
And this reconciles with the new statement on issues of racism, how?
Okay, the thread was necromanced, so I guess I'll reply.
Do Gnolls have parallels to real life races and cultures? Not that I'm aware of. Orcs do, Vistani do, and Hobgoblins do, but I don't see a problem with gnolls being evil in Forgotten Realms. In Wildemount and Eberron they can be good, but I don't think it's an issue for them to be evil. If it's a problem, and we want to keep them all evil, make them be fiends.
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Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
The Dungeon Master's Guide has a version of Gnoll Race for NPCs.
I see no reason not to use it.
It gives you Strength (int penalty), Darkvision, a Bite attack (1d4) and on killing someone you get a bonus to move your speed and make another attack.
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In the Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron, on page 84, it is mentioned that you can play a gnoll. It doesn't list any racial traits, though, so I'm wondering - was this released in another book and I'm just missing it?
No official books that I am aware of (I have everything on DDB). It also mentions minotaurs which are only in the GGtR book so far. Maybe it is just future proofing.
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D&D Beyond FoundersWe can only guess really, but it's possible they were going to add these races to the Wayfinder's Guide, but weren't happy with how they worked, so didn't do so.
Also, it's worth remembering that the author of the Eberron setting, Keith Baker, is working on further books for the setting.
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I'd thoroughly enjoy a dog-like, humanoid race to play as...
If nothing else than to balance-out the presence of the Tabaxi race. ; )
You could have them be a gnoll, certainly...or perhaps a race that is the permanent product of lycan ancestors, or shifters.
They could even be similar to the aasimar...except their divine, celestial heritage originates from the hound archons...the greatsword-wielding, fist-fighting guardians of the innocent.
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Moderatorhttps://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/wgte/races-of-eberron#Gnolls
I wouldn't say it actually says you can play a gnoll, but rather just assumes you can. It's listed under "Other Races" like aasimar, dragonborn, gith, and goblinoids.
It looks like that text has been there since the first version of WGTE. I suspect it was included, as mentioned, either for future-proofing or as an idea that was considered but ended up being scrapped. If you want an official answer, you'll probably have to ask Keith Baker himself - he's active on Twitter and Reddit, and obviously on his blog as well.
Definitely would love to play a Gnoll, because screw stereotyping them being with a demon lord. I want to play man's best friend.
In most settings in the wider DnD multiverse, they are literally born of Yeenoghu, sooo... not so much a stereotype as it is literal, verifiable, objective truth.
But Eberron is purposefully different, so yeah, let's play man's best hyena friend. :D
Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
I use the following racial bits for PC version of Gnoll, feel free to use if you like it:
Race: Gnoll
Gain +2 Str, +1 Cons.
Age: Gnolls typically mature around 9 or 10 years old, reaching around 50 to 60 years of age. However, abyssal gnolls are said to live for up to centuries.
Alignment. Despite misconceptions, many gnolls are loyal towards their circles. However, they could care less towards the views and laws of other societies. As such, tend towards neutral alignments. However, Abyssal Gnolls tend towards chaotic evil.
Speed: 30ft.
Size: Despite being a Medium sized creature, gnolls are usually pretty tall beings. Some stretch well over 6-7 feet.
Darkvision: 60ft.
Carrion Eater: Your exposure to sickly flesh and gross meats has fortified your body against plagues and filth. You gain advantage on saves vs. diseases and poisons.
Bite: Your powerful jaws can snap through bones and bring foes to ruin. You are considered proficient with this attack and base damage is 1d4 piercing damage, using your Strength for attack/damage. This base damage increases to 1d6 at 6th level, 1d8 at 12th level, and 1d10 at 18th level. You may also use this attack as an “off-hand” attack as a bonus action.
Savage Attacker: You gain the Rampage ability: x1 per SR/LR, If you drop a target to zero hit points you can move up to half of your movement and make a bite attack against another target.
Survivalist: Gain survival as a bonus skill.
Edit: The current version of this in the spoiler below should you want it:
Looking back at that post there are a couple of wording changes I made. The current version is:
Race: Gnoll
Gain +2 Str, +1 Cons.
Age: Gnolls typically mature around 9 or 10 years old, reaching around 50 to 60 years of age. However, abyssal gnolls are said to live for up to centuries.
Alignment. Despite misconceptions, many gnolls are loyal towards their famnily units which are known as "Cackles". However, they could care less towards the views and laws of other societies. As such, tend towards neutral alignments. However, Abyssal Gnolls tend towards chaotic evil.
Speed: 30ft.
Size: Despite being a Medium sized creature, gnolls are usually pretty tall beings. Some stretch well over 6-7 feet.
Darkvision: 60ft.
Carrion Eater: Your exposure to sickly flesh and gross meats has fortified your body against plagues and filth. You gain advantage on saving throws vs. diseases and poisons and have resistance to Posion Damage.
Bite: Your powerful jaws can snap through bones and bring foes to ruin. You are considered proficient with this attack and base damage is 1d4 piercing damage, using your Strength for attack/damage. This base damage increases to 1d6 at 6th level, 1d8 at 12th level, and 1d10 at 18th level. When you take the Attack action you may make one bite attack as a bonus action.
Savage Attacker: You gain the Rampage ability and can use it once per short rest, If you hit a target witha melee attack and it falls to zero hit points you can use your Reaction to move up to half of your movement and make a bite attack against another target.
Survivalist: Gain survival as a bonus skill.
I can't speak to D&D specifically, but traditionally in other media Gnolls are based on hyenas, rather than dogs, wolves, or wild dogs. And hyenas are more closely related to cats than they are to dogs.
Gnolls are hyenas in DnD as well, actually created/born by hyenas who eat the flesh of things killed by other gnolls or Yeenoghu-related demons like shoosuvas.
Formerly Devan Avalon.
Trying to get your physical content on Beyond is like going to Microsoft and saying "I have a physical Playstation disk, give me a digital Xbox version!"
Either way Id still want to play dogo
I think you missed a comment:
And they did add the shifter race. Be a dog/wolf shifter.
I'd love to play as a gnoll, but this would basically never work in Forgotten Realms.
Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
Spells, Monsters, Subclasses, Races, Arcknight Class, Occultist Class, World, Enigmatic Esoterica forms
Thanks for the response. I was just confused that it listed gnolls as a playable option. All the other races mentioned (that listed as well) - aasimars, dragonborn, gith, and goblinoids - are all playable races that have been published in multiple books. Gnolls are the only ones that really stood out to me in that section because it acted like you could play them.
How? Other "evil" or "enemy" races like minotaurs, goblins, and the like are all playable.
Other enemy races aren't literal chaotic evil demon spawn (as DevanAvalon lore dropped on us). And here is a bit more lore from the MM:
Of course a DM can overrule anything, but generally Levi's statement is true.
Agreed. The DM chooses everything but if they are always evil then, well, what can you do.
Volo's Guide to Monsters
They're not in that book. What are you trying to say?
Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
Spells, Monsters, Subclasses, Races, Arcknight Class, Occultist Class, World, Enigmatic Esoterica forms
Okay, the thread was necromanced, so I guess I'll reply.
Do Gnolls have parallels to real life races and cultures? Not that I'm aware of. Orcs do, Vistani do, and Hobgoblins do, but I don't see a problem with gnolls being evil in Forgotten Realms. In Wildemount and Eberron they can be good, but I don't think it's an issue for them to be evil. If it's a problem, and we want to keep them all evil, make them be fiends.
Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
Spells, Monsters, Subclasses, Races, Arcknight Class, Occultist Class, World, Enigmatic Esoterica forms
The Dungeon Master's Guide has a version of Gnoll Race for NPCs.
I see no reason not to use it.
It gives you Strength (int penalty), Darkvision, a Bite attack (1d4) and on killing someone you get a bonus to move your speed and make another attack.