Not all gnolls follow Yeenoghu, do they? Most of them do, I know, but gnolls themselves aren't demons or fiends. They're just a barbaric race that happens to have been courted by the demonic patron of the ghouls, which is the main reason why they eat humanoid flesh.
I originally posted it seeking confirmation or hoping that someone might give me some insight. I do really appreciate the replies so far! I doubt my sole suggestion will go noticed by WotC, but I definitely will throw my suggestion out there if I can find the right place. Sorry to trouble you, guys! Thanks again for the replies!
I think I remember reading somewhere, I think in MToF, that gnolls were originally spawned from when Yeenoghu first walked the material plane, and they as a people follow in his footsteps.
I'm paraphrasing, so I could be wrong. If you want non-evil/playable gnolls, you might need to look to homebrew
I think I remember reading somewhere, I think in MToF, that gnolls were originally spawned from when Yeenoghu first walked the material plane, and they as a people follow in his footsteps.
I'm paraphrasing, so I could be wrong. If you want non-evil/playable gnolls, you might need to look to homebrew
Volo's Guide, which is written from the perspective of an unreliable narrator. Whenever Yeenoghu enters the Material Realm, packs of hyenas follow in his wake to devour the corpses he leaves behind. When they become bloated and overstuffed, they explode bloodily, exposing a gnoll in the hyena's place.
Homebrew is where people will need to look to for gnolls as PCs, until or unless WotC puts out a setting book that allows for playable gnolls.
I know that 4E had a playable Gnoll race in the 1st monster manual. You could use that as a guide and create a homebrew 5e race as a gnoll, something I have done.
The main issue of player Gnolls is why they broke away from the pack to strike out on their own. This would be a very rare occurrence but gives you a chance to get creative in your backstory. As a Gnoll player I suspect you'd be in store for a lot of prejudice and per-conceived notions as well. Personally Ive never done this but it sound like fun!
I hope I'm not breaking rules by link to outside site here but there's a homebrew based on, I think, a Dragon magazine. The homebrew is here:
Guys, thanks! The lore explains well why gnolls are not likely to become playable! It makes them even more interesting, though, because it means they are in some way demonic/fiendish, which I never knew!
Regarding homebrew gnolls... I am in no way diagnosed with OCD but nevertheless, we all have some tendencies which could be described that way... for me, I absolutely cannot bear to use homebrew stuff no matter how awesome it is, simply because it's not "official". It isn't logical, because it mostly applies to D&D and Pathfinder and not really, for example, Dungeon World which I mod the eff out of.
I deeply appreciate all of your assistance regarding the matter at hand! I propose that this thread be abandoned unless others would like to continue to discuss the topic. Gnolls will always be my favorite race, but if they aren't playable then that's that. Take care, everyone! I'll see you on here another time.
I played a gnoll based campaign recently with a couple of homebrewed gnoll variants. It's all about finding the right motivation for your characters or a reason why they aren't with a big pack. But it definitely can be done.
Plus no one says you have to strictly adhere to the D&D official canon.
I played a gnoll based campaign recently with a couple of homebrewed gnoll variants. It's all about finding the right motivation for your characters or a reason why they aren't with a big pack. But it definitely can be done.
Plus no one says you have to strictly adhere to the D&D official canon.
I think it's jist his preference to stick to canon. It could be that they are thoroughly tested for balance as opposed to some homebrew that's like "this could be cool to do" or just that you want everything to have its place.
For me, when I homebrew then it's like I'm not really playing D&D. It becomes something else.
Not sure if you mean this as a negative or a positive, but judging by the PHB introduction or even the Basic Rules "Words of Adventures" section (aside from personal experience and the general appreciation/success of stuff like Critical Role) homebrews are welcome, encouraged, and VERY much D&D, as long as the core rules of the system are kept.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
For me, when I homebrew then it's like I'm not really playing D&D. It becomes something else.
I get that to some extent. Gnolls are playable in 4e D&D. Therefore if you homebrew based on the D&D official race, just update for 5th edition. I feel like that's still loyal to D&D.
For me, when I homebrew then it's like I'm not really playing D&D. It becomes something else.
Most of these races and rules apply more towards Faerün. So if you are in your own world with your own cities then why not just have a tribe of gnolls off in some hills that is running persecution because of what others think. I like gnolls just because they look cool and provide a lot of fun RP. There is a great DMGuild called Monstrous races and monstrous races 2 they give a great rundown on what abilities a monstrous player race should have and not have to make the player character not over powered.
Why are gnolls not a playable race anywhere I can find? Anyone know if they are planned?
They don't seem to be planned at all. But you can find many in the homebrew section
I know that gnolls are like demonic followers of an demon Lord, might have something to do with it
Not all gnolls follow Yeenoghu, do they? Most of them do, I know, but gnolls themselves aren't demons or fiends. They're just a barbaric race that happens to have been courted by the demonic patron of the ghouls, which is the main reason why they eat humanoid flesh.
Not sure why this is a request to DND Beyond. They aren't Wizards of the Coast. They don't make Content.
I originally posted it seeking confirmation or hoping that someone might give me some insight. I do really appreciate the replies so far! I doubt my sole suggestion will go noticed by WotC, but I definitely will throw my suggestion out there if I can find the right place. Sorry to trouble you, guys! Thanks again for the replies!
I think I remember reading somewhere, I think in MToF, that gnolls were originally spawned from when Yeenoghu first walked the material plane, and they as a people follow in his footsteps.
I'm paraphrasing, so I could be wrong. If you want non-evil/playable gnolls, you might need to look to homebrew
-
View User Profile
-
View Posts
-
Send Message
ModeratorVolo's Guide, which is written from the perspective of an unreliable narrator. Whenever Yeenoghu enters the Material Realm, packs of hyenas follow in his wake to devour the corpses he leaves behind. When they become bloated and overstuffed, they explode bloodily, exposing a gnoll in the hyena's place.
Homebrew is where people will need to look to for gnolls as PCs, until or unless WotC puts out a setting book that allows for playable gnolls.
I know that 4E had a playable Gnoll race in the 1st monster manual. You could use that as a guide and create a homebrew 5e race as a gnoll, something I have done.
Published Subclasses
The main issue of player Gnolls is why they broke away from the pack to strike out on their own. This would be a very rare occurrence but gives you a chance to get creative in your backstory. As a Gnoll player I suspect you'd be in store for a lot of prejudice and per-conceived notions as well. Personally Ive never done this but it sound like fun!
I hope I'm not breaking rules by link to outside site here but there's a homebrew based on, I think, a Dragon magazine. The homebrew is here:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/races/10998-free-gnoll
The PDF from the magazine is here:
https://www.wizards.com/files/367_playing_gnolls.pdf
That's what happens when you wear a helmet your whole life!
My house rules
The HB seems a bit much.
Honestly, I'd probably just re-skin lizardfolk.
The Homebrew Gnoll does seem kind of OP, plus it doesn't say how long the poisoned condition lasts.
Guys, thanks! The lore explains well why gnolls are not likely to become playable! It makes them even more interesting, though, because it means they are in some way demonic/fiendish, which I never knew!
Regarding homebrew gnolls... I am in no way diagnosed with OCD but nevertheless, we all have some tendencies which could be described that way... for me, I absolutely cannot bear to use homebrew stuff no matter how awesome it is, simply because it's not "official". It isn't logical, because it mostly applies to D&D and Pathfinder and not really, for example, Dungeon World which I mod the eff out of.
I deeply appreciate all of your assistance regarding the matter at hand! I propose that this thread be abandoned unless others would like to continue to discuss the topic. Gnolls will always be my favorite race, but if they aren't playable then that's that. Take care, everyone! I'll see you on here another time.
I played a gnoll based campaign recently with a couple of homebrewed gnoll variants. It's all about finding the right motivation for your characters or a reason why they aren't with a big pack. But it definitely can be done.
Plus no one says you have to strictly adhere to the D&D official canon.
If you need it, I can homebrew it.
I think it's jist his preference to stick to canon. It could be that they are thoroughly tested for balance as opposed to some homebrew that's like "this could be cool to do" or just that you want everything to have its place.
Published Subclasses
For me, when I homebrew then it's like I'm not really playing D&D. It becomes something else.
Not sure if you mean this as a negative or a positive, but judging by the PHB introduction or even the Basic Rules "Words of Adventures" section (aside from personal experience and the general appreciation/success of stuff like Critical Role) homebrews are welcome, encouraged, and VERY much D&D, as long as the core rules of the system are kept.
Born in Italy, moved a bunch, living in Spain, my heart always belonged to Roleplaying Games
I get that to some extent. Gnolls are playable in 4e D&D. Therefore if you homebrew based on the D&D official race, just update for 5th edition. I feel like that's still loyal to D&D.
Published Subclasses
Most of these races and rules apply more towards Faerün. So if you are in your own world with your own cities then why not just have a tribe of gnolls off in some hills that is running persecution because of what others think. I like gnolls just because they look cool and provide a lot of fun RP. There is a great DMGuild called Monstrous races and monstrous races 2 they give a great rundown on what abilities a monstrous player race should have and not have to make the player character not over powered.
What book has gnolls as a playable race in 4E? I was in 3.0 and 3.5 for ages, and then took a hiatus, and completely missed 4E.