Homebrew Awakened Gnoll Species Details

Though many continue to toil and feed at the will of their demonic master, there are some gnolls who have shaken the bonds or been brought into service of another creature are awakened to the possibility of a life beyond the realm of Yeenoghu. These individuals remain caught between two worlds - the demonic, all-consuming hunger they have escaped and their own innate feral nature - both of which they must contain while trying to navigate civilized lands. 

Fiendish Origins, Feral Drive

Most gnolls are subject to the whims and appetites of the demon prince Yeenoghu and continue to follow him as god and creator. Those who have broken free remain caught in the mire of their previous life and way of being and their innate animal drive which derived from the brutal existence of their cousin and precursor, the hyena.  Therefore, gnolls are shaped by these two forces: the primal nature of the hyena, and the pure malevolence of the demon. Aggression is a tangible force within the soul of any 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 civilized societies know that they must act in accordance to the social customs and laws among the other races by reigning in their feral desires. Many of them find careers as mercenaries, soldiers, thugs or even bodyguards as it affords them an opportunity to unleash their fury against an enemy in full while remaining within the realm of acceptable conduct. Gnolls are easily driven into a rage that can blind them from their need to maintain control of their actions, and in a fight a gnoll is said to be likely to turn on you in bloodlust. A wise individual treads lightly around a gnoll. 

The Soul of the Hyena

Though the fury of the fiend runs through the blood every gnoll, those that reject their demonic heritage find solace in the spirit of the hyena that lies within them. Over the course of generations, this has produced individuals and entire clans of gnolls that are less savage than the Butcher’s Brood. Typically unaligned as opposed to chaotic evil, these gnolls still live as nomadic hunters on the fringes of society frequently acting as hunters and gatherers in function.  Such gnolls usually come to terms with the humans or other settlers who share their lands, and they might sell their services as trappers or hunters. Although they may trade with members of other species, gnolls prefer the company of their own kind, along with their hyena companions. They do not take slaves, and while they do not kill peaceful humans who come to their camps, neither do they make them feel welcome.

Clan Camaraderie

There is a strong, instinctive bond between gnolls of the same blood-line. Gnoll clans can and do fight one another, and they see struggles for dominance within a clan, but pack mentality is a powerful force within gnoll life. This is reflected in battle: Gnolls are pack hunters who work together to bring down their prey, ganging up on an enemy instead of striving for individual glory. These communities are matriarchal, as in the way of their hyena predecessors, with females being predominant decision makers, shamans and other roles higher in the hierarchy. Male gnolls are usually tasked with less desirable activities. The hierarchy order is strictly enforced within these communities with physical challenges, not unlike those within orc or Goliath tribes. 

Physical Qualities

Gnolls tower over humans, with the average female gnoll standing over 7 feet tall, males being slightly shorter. Gnolls are lean, and often possess physical strength and decent dexterity though most strikingly is their stamina in a fight. Their eyes are bright green or yellow, and gleam whenever they catch the light. Gnolls are covered with a thick coat of fur, which generally ranges from light to dark brown; depending on the clan, this might be a uniform color, or broken up by stripes or spots. A number of gnoll bloodlines have members (both male and female) who possess crestlike manes of hair that run from the head and down the spine; these rise up when gnolls are frightened or angry. Although these are general traits, the traces of demonic blood in gnolls can produce unusual features.  

Awakened Gnoll Traits

Your gnoll character has the following racial traits.

Ability Score Increase

Due to your heritage as a Carrion feeder you receive a +2 to Constitution and have advantage in Constitution saving throws.

Age

Gnolls reach adulthood at age 12 and live up to 60 years.

Alignment

Gnolls endure a harsh existence that demands fury and savagery. An awakened gnoll may have realized her choices outside of this brutal existence but she is likely to remain chaotic and will usually be of neutral alignment. 

Size

Gnolls are between 6 and 7 feet tall and weigh between 250 and 350 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Savage Bite

The gnoll can make a bite attack against a creature as an action within 5 feet of it. If the target takes damage it must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be Poisoned

Feral Rampage

When a gnoll takes damage in battle there is a 5% chance she will go into a rampage, similar to that of a Barbarian rage. On a critical hit, you have a 20% chance to go into a rampage. You gain +2 melee damage with STR weapons.  Unlike the Barbarian rage, in a gnoll's rampage there is no resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, slashing damage. You can't cast or concentrate on spells while rampaging. You will melee attack as the action at the start of the next turn following your rampage activation a target within melee of you. If you are outside of any other creature's melee range you will use movement to attack the nearest creature with a melee attack. Following this attack you can direct your melee attacks as desired. Your rampage ends if you are knocked unconscious or after 1 minute has passed. You gain 1 level of exhaustion after finishing your rampage. 

Mad Dash

So long as your hands remain empty (you may stow your weapon for this) you may drop to all fours and double your move speed until you choose to stand up again.

Intimidating

You are proficient in the Intimidation skil. Due to your size and fightful appearance you have natural proficiency in the Intimidation skill.

Darkvision

The gnoll has darkvision up to 60 ft. 

Languages

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