Homebrew Gnoll Tiefling Species Details

The Blood of Yeenoghu

Yeenoghu, the demon lord and creator of gnolls, once cursed a nation of humans with demonic blood for defying him. This act of malice created a race of tieflings distinct from those that were tainted by Asmodeus. These tieflings, known as gnoll tieflings, share human and demonic, gnoll-like aspects. After their creation, most gnoll tieflings were hunted and killed by Yeenoghu's gnolls, as a final act of retribution.

Today, most gnoll tieflings live in small communities, tribes, or packs, far from major cities. Gnolls still view these tieflings as abominations, and will viciously attack them if they are discovered. Gnoll tieflings are very close-knit and protective of each other, wary of strangers. If tieflings leave these communities, they often find it difficult to be accepted in the outside world. While not as monstrous as gnolls, gnoll tieflings are still unusual, fostering suspicion and distrust.

Despite this, a gnoll tiefling's pack instinct and desire for social bonds remains an integral part of their identity. Good tieflings may strive to help others, joining factions and groups doing the same. Neutral tieflings may work to preserve balance, finding like-minded individuals. Evil tieflings may reject society, forming packs with criminals and outlaws.

Mark of the Hyena

True to Yeenoghu's chaotic nature, his curse manifests itself differently in each gnoll tiefling. No two tieflings will look the same. Tieflings often have more gnoll characteristics than human, though there is a spectrum of appearances between human and gnoll. They often have fur and a hyena-like mouth, face, and ears. These traits are more subdued, and a tiefling looks remarkably less feral and demonic than a gnoll. Their fur is usually in shades of red, brown, black, orange, or gold.

A tiefling has a much more humanoid body frame than a gnoll, which are quite bestial. The prominent gnoll hunchback is not found in tieflings, who are able to wear humanoid clothing and armor, wield humanoid weapons, and use everyday humanoid items like tables and chairs without issue. While still tall and broad compared to humans, tieflings are also smaller and slighter than gnolls.

Gnoll Tiefling Traits

Gnoll Tiefling Traits

Ability Score Increase

Gnoll tieflings are large and benefit from hearty constitutions from their demonic ancestry. They also have heightened senses of hearing, smell, and tracking instincts. Leaner gnoll tieflings tend to be lithe, lean, and nimble, while bulkier ones tend to be strong and powerful.

Increase your Constitution and Wisdom scores by 1 each. Additionally, choose either Strength or Dexterity to increase by 1.

Age

Tieflings live a few years longer than humans.

Alignment

Tieflings are not inherently evil, but many of them end up there. Their nature inclines them to chaos. 

Size

Gnoll tieflings are usually between 6 and 7 feet tall and 200 and 300 pounds. You are Medium sized.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

You have darkvision up to 60 feet.

Feral Resistance

You have resistance to poison damage and advantage on saving throws against poison and disease.

Languages

You know Common, Abyssal, and Gnoll.

Weapon Proficiency

You have proficiency with the flail, longsword, spear, and battleaxe.

Abyssal Legacy

Tieflings gain certain demonic abilities, which due to their chaotic bloodline, develop at random. At the 1st level, roll a 1d4 to gain one of the Abyssal Legacies listed below. Your spellcasting ability for these spells is Constitution, and they ignore material components. Spells above the cantrip level can be cast once per long rest.

1 - Ambusher. You know the Primal Savagery cantrip. At the 3rd level, you can cast Hunter's Mark as a 1st level spell.

2 - Howler. You know the Vicious Mockery cantrip, which manifests as a hyena-like cackle, growl, or roar. At the 3rd level, you can cast Blindness/Deafness as a 2nd level spell.

3 - Stalker. You know the Minor Illusion cantrip. At the 3rd level, you can cast Pass Without Trace.

4 - Scavenger. You know the Infestation cantrip. At the 3rd level you can cast Ray of Sickness as a 2nd level spell.

Gnoll Tiefling Variant

Some gnoll tieflings feel the heritage of Yeenoghu stronger than others, and can use this bloodlust in combat. At the Dungeon Master's discretion, you may replace the Abyssal Legacy trait with the Rampage trait.

Rampage. When you reduce an enemy to 0 hit points with a melee weapon Attack on your turn, you can take a Bonus Action to move up to half your speed and make another melee weapon Attack.