Homebrew Gnoll Species Details

The demon prince Yeenoghu is known both as the Beast of Butchery as well as the Ruler of Ruin—and with good cause. It is said that he created the gnoll race from his path of destruction as he raged across the plains regions, leaving destruction and slaughter in his path. This legend says that the hyenas who gathered to feast upon the carrion left in his wake took in some of his saliva from the corpses, transforming them into the malicious and bloodthirsty creatures now known as gnolls. It is also believed that this is where gnolls get their demon-like temperament and bloodlust.

Brutal Savages

The gnoll followers of Yeenoghu embrace the fury of the fiend, which results in their legendary brutality. Aggression is a tangible force within the soul of the gnoll and even with their ties to Yeenoghu broken they still feel an impulse to perform acts of brutality whenever the opportunity is presented. Gnolls in Civlization know that they must 'behave' among the other races - and often feel resentment towards those who keep watch over them - so many of them find careers as mercenaries, soldiers, thugs or even bodyguards if it affords them an opportunity to unleash their fury against an enemy in full.

Personality

Moreso than many other humanoid races, primal instinct was a strong part of the gnoll psyche. Gnolls were natural predators and savored the thrills of the hunt. Almost all gnolls preferred the wilderness to the civilized enclaves favored by humans, dwarves, or other similar races and those that do take to cities have usually thought of them as just another kind of landscape.

Many other races have found the gnoll psyche feral and aggressive, male and female equally, and the behavioral tendencies of the race have certainly given this impression. Gnolls start fighting among one another at a very early age and as soon as they can walk, many crawl into places away from the eyes of adults where they engage in vicious, often lethal battles. A gnoll has been more likely to demand answers than it is to actually ask a question. Gnolls, however, would not see this as an act of hostility, but rather a basic demonstration of strength.

Tribal Nomads

Gnolls live in tribe-like "packs", much like wild hyenas, and also like those beasts, these tribal groups are usually led by a "pack leader" who usually demonstrates their dominance through displays of force, and bullying or even killing individuals who dispute their power until none are left to contest their position as leader. These gnoll packs roam the plains regions they call home, setting up temporary camps wherever they can find a decent location. Typically, such a location provides natural barriers from being spotted from a distance, as well as from being surrounded should they be found out. The pack will remain in these camps for anywhere from a few days to several months, moving on once they have either exhausted their potential raid targets, or until a sufficiently large hostile force threatens to discover the camp's location. Once a camp has been established, the gnolls will typically radiate outward in small groups. First they send several small scouting parties to locate potential targets, followed then by larger raiding groups to attack vulnerable trade roads, as well as any small settlements or homesteads—any concentration of goods that they have a strong enough chance of plundering successfully.

Lone Wanderers

While Gnolls lean in favor of a pack mentality some may go off on their own to fulfill a personal quest - usually revolving around a challenging task that the Gnoll has pit against himself. Some find themselves at home in civilizations where Glatiatorial combat is a main entertainment spectacle - willingly entering the ring with a grin at the thought of being praised to slay another skilled opponent. Some are simply the last of their tribe, as in-fighting does occur from time to time, and may seek companionship to replace the tribe they've lost.

Gnoll Traits

Your Gnoll character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score increases by 2, and either your Dexterity or Constitution score increases by 1 (your choice).

Age

Gnolls had 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

Alignment

Though gnolls were not necessarily evil, the craving of the hunt and primal bloodlust that inhabited the gnoll mind have made many of the race lean towards a chaotic evil alignment by reflex. Gnolls that succumbed to this tendency often became nomadic savages, wreaking havoc wherever they can, giving them their fearsome reputation as slaving brigands throughout the world.

Size

Gnolls were extremely tall, with the average member of the race standing on average between 7' and 7'6". Though gnolls were relatively lean for their height, weighing in usually between 280 to 320 lbs, they cut an impressive visage. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Jaws & Claws

Your fangs and claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. Your bite deals piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier and your claws deal piercing damage 1d4+ your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike

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 can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

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.

Carrion Eater

Being accustomed to eating rotting and unsavory foods, your body is naturally adapted to handling all manner of food. You can eat food that would normally cause sickness in other races. Additionally, you have advantage on Survival saving throws and disease resistance

Frightening Presence

You have feral, terrifying visage. When seen by others, you are naturally skilled at striking fear into those you wish to fear you. You have proficiency in Intimidation checks.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Abyssal and Gnoll