Homebrew Xhorhassian Gnoll Species Details

Xhorhassian Gnolls are hyena-humanoid hybrids. Gnolls are extremely tall, the average member of the race standing on average between 7' and 7'6", though gnolls are relatively lean for their height, weighing in usually between 280 and 320 lbs and 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 crestlike mane that stands on end when a gnoll is angry. Most Xhorhassian Gnolls are much more heavily and completely furred than common gnolls and have a wider range of pelt colors due to interracial breeding.

Savage Beginnings

The origin of the gnolls traces back to a time when the demon lord Yeenoghu found his way to the Material Plane and ran amok. Packs of ordinary hyenas followed in his wake, scavenging the demon lord’s kills. Those hyenas were transformed into the first gnolls, parading after Yeenoghu until he was banished back to the Abyss. The gnolls then scattered across the face of the world, a dire reminder of demonic power. But on the continent of Wildemount some of these packs found their way to the Calamity stricken lands of Xhorhas where other races bent under the curses and will of demonic forces and Betrayer gods had begun to buck their old masters. Xhorhassian Gnolls have learned to control or shake off the insatiable hunger Yeenoghu cursed them with and turn their thoughts and efforts to more civilized pursuits. 

Born of the Luxon

As time has gone on and the Xhorhassian Gnoll race has continued to flourish in the Dynasty more and more souls consecuted to the Luxon Beacon are finding themselves reborn in the forms of gnolls. Though a gnolls lifespan is much shorter than that of a drow many devout Luxon followers view lifespans spent as different races as acts of fate in leading them to their ultimate status of Umavi (Perfect Soul).

New Gods

While many Xhorhassian Gnolls, like other beast peoples and goblinoid races that have begun to flourish in the Dynasty have turned their faith away from their demonic origins to worship the Luxon Beacon. But others have sought out more well known deities to sustain them as most gnolls have an innate loyalty and perchance to faith that stems from their much more savage origins.

Xhorhassian Gnoll Traits

Your Xhorhassian Gnoll character has the following racial traits:

Rampage

When a Xhorhassian 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.

Ability Score Increase

Your Constitution score increases by 2, and your Strength score increases by 1.

Age

Xhorhassian Gnolls mature and age at about the same rate as humans and have equivalent lifespans.

Alignment

Xhorhassian Gnolls tend toward good and sometimes chaotic alignments. Xhorhassian Gnolls in direct employ or connection to the Kryn Dynasty may have lawful alignments.

Size

Xhorhassian Gnolls are typically over 6 feet tall, with some standing over 7 feet. Your size is Medium.

Here’s how to determine your height and weight randomly, starting with rolling a size modifier:

Size modifier = 2d10

Height = 5 feet + 6 inches + your size modifier in inches

Weight in pounds = 180 + (2d6 × your size modifier)

Speed

Your base walking speed is 35 feet.

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.

Hunter’s Instincts

You have proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: Athletics, Intimidation, Perception, or Survival.

Daunting Roar

As a bonus action, you can let out an especially menacing roar. Creatures of your choice within 10 feet of you that can hear you must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or become frightened of you until the end of your next turn. The DC of the save equals 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Constitution modifier. Once you use this trait, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Undercommon and Gnoll.