Homebrew Znir Gnoll Species Details

Gnolls are a humanoid race closely resembling hyenas that dwell in Droaam and the Shadow Marches, as well as parts of the Demon Wastes. They are known for their savage culture and warlike ways. The largest community of gnolls is the Znir Pact of Droaam. The race cuts an impressive visage. In part because of their height and lean musculature, gnolls are very quick compared with many other races such as humans. Gnoll skin is a greenish-gray, and their furry hide is light or dark brown, marked sometimes with spots or stripes. Many gnolls also have a dirty yellow to reddish-gray crest-like mane that stands on end when a gnoll is angry.

It's believed by some that gnolls have traces of demonic blood, which may be evidenced by unusual features found amongst some gnoll bloodlines. These may include talons, gleaming red eyes, or black fur with fiery orange spots.

Female gnolls are indistinguishable from males by size, in spite of a reputation for being shorter. In fact, so similar are male and female gnolls in appearance that they are often mistaken for one another and the only reliable way to tell the difference, other than through a close physical examination, is if a female is pregnant or openly nursing.

 

Creating Your Character

At 1st level, you choose whether your character is a member of the human race or of a fantastical race. If you select a fantastical race, follow these additional rules during character creation.

Ability Score Increases

When determining your character’s ability scores, increase one score by 2 and increase a different score by 1, or increase three different scores by 1. Follow this rule regardless of the method you use to determine the scores, such as rolling or point buy. The “Quick Build” section for your character’s class offers suggestions on which scores to increase. You can follow those suggestions or ignore them, but you can’t raise any of your scores above 20.

Languages

Gnoll, Common,  and or Abyssal 

Creature Type

Humanoid 

Life Span

Gnolls have very short lifespans when compared with other sapient humanoids, living only 30 or so years on average and maturing to adulthood at a remarkable speed. Gnolls do not, however, age particularly dramatically except at the end of their lifespans, at which point the decline is sharp and deadly, quickly ending in death.

Height and Weight

Gnolls are extremely tall, with an average member standing 7 feet and ​0 inches​ to ​7 feet and ​6 inches (2.1​ to ​2.3 meters) though gnolls are relatively lean for their height, weighing in at 280​ to ​320 pounds (130​ to ​150 kilograms).

Znir Gnoll Traits

As a Znir Gnoll, you have the following racial traits.

Rampage

When the gnoll reduces a creature to 0 Hit Points with a Melee Attack on its turn, the gnoll can take a Bonus Action to move up to half its speed and make a Bite Attack. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

Creature Type

You are a Humanoid.

Size

You are Medium

Speed

Your walking speed is 35 feet.

Gnoll’s Bite

You can use your teeth to make unarmed strikes. When you hit with them, the strike deals 1d6 + your Strength modifier slashing damage, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

Gnoll’s Talent

You have proficiency in the Perception and Stealth skills.

Darkvision

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 discern colors in that darkness only as shades of gray.