Homebrew Half Gnoll Species Details
The shaman reached down and dipped his clawed finger into the ice-rimmed stream, closing his eyes and communing with the spirits for several moments as he felt the stinging coldness even through the thick short layer of fur that covered his finger as well as most of his body. His face was less sharp than a full blooded gnoll, but the heritage was still clearly drawn by the narrow muzzle filled with sharp teeth, the pale yellow predator's eyes, and the sharp claws which he kept well trimmed on both hands and feet. His furs danced around his spare form, kept lean but strong on a diet of thoughtless insects and fish. He abhorded red meat, not because he didn't like it, but because the taste of blood could awaken an uncomfortable set of sensations inside him. He finally opens his eyes and stands, casting the remaining droplets of water from his finger with a flick and turned back towards the mixed tribe of orcs and humans who made up this odd tribe he had joined with their painted wagons and their nomadic life-style. "This water shall bring prosperity." He announced to the gathering in a deep gutteral voice that could command attention and fear, if not respect, from anyone who heard it. "We will winter here, and when spring comes we will plant."
The few children of Illuvan and Nuada were blessed with nearly the longevity of their elven half but with the appearance, if muted, of their mother. This meant that they were not easily welcomed into any societies, though they often found themselves mostly accepted, if hesitantly at first, by the less civilized tribes of various races, orcs, goblins, and humans. They were less welcomed in cities and towns until they had long proven themselves. Still, they made their way in the world and most survived to have at least one or two children, who did the same. Since they, like normal gnolls, produced half-gnolls no matter who their partner was, the species endured, though the population is so low that even now the entire species numbers only in the tens rather than the hundreds. They aren't attacked on sight by other races as long as they act civilized, but they're treated warily and sometimes with open disgust by those who aren't familiar with them.
Tough and Versatile
The hide of a half-gnoll isn't much protection against steel weapons and arrows, but it does give them some additional toughness against the elements that other races don't enjoy, such as resistance to both cold and hot weather. It helps them retain liquid in arid climates and insulates against loss of heat when the temperature drops. In addition to this, they have the keen senses of a born predator and combined this gives the half-gnoll a bonus on any roll involving survival checks in the wilderness. This bonus could also apply within a city but only if the half-gnoll is familiar with that type of terrain.
The Mark of Chaos
This race was born only through the power of chaos and a priest of chaos. The members of this race, therefore, are more attuned to the energies of chaos and find themselves called to the service of the Chaos pantheon due to the innate divine nature of their existence. They often have a couple of minor magical abilities as a gift of this connection, though these aren't often exactly the same from one half-gnoll to the next.
Half-Orc Names
Half-Gnolls, like Half-orcs, usually have names appropriate to the culture in which they were raised. A half-gnoll who wants to fit in among humans might trade an orc name for a human name. Some half-gnolls with human names decide to adopt a guttural orc name because they think it makes them more intimidating.
Male Orc Names: Dench, Feng, Gell, Henk, Holg, Imsh, Keth, Krusk, Mhurren, Ront, Shump, Thokk
Female Orc Names: Baggi, Emen, Engong, Kansif, Myev, Neega, Ovak, Ownka, Shautha, Sutha, Vola, Volen, Yevelda
Each half-gnoll finds a way to gain acceptance from those who hate them. Some are reserved, trying not to draw attention to themselves. A few demonstrate piety and good-heartedness as publicly as they can (whether or not such demonstrations are genuine). And some simply try to be so tough that others just avoid them.
Half Gnoll Traits
Survivor, Marked by Chaos.Ability Score Increase
Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.
Age
Half-Gnolls share near the same longevity of their father's race of elves, giving them several hundred years, at least, of life on average. They still tend to mature faster than normal elves however, reaching physical maturity around age 16 and a more fundamental maturity around age 65.
Alignment
Half-Gnolls tend towards the Chaos pantheon but can fluctuate between good and evil as easily as any human depending upon the situation.
Size
Half-Gnolls are usually slightly larger than humans ranging from 6 feet to 7 feet tall but are usually extraordinarily thin in elven fashion. Your size is Medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision
Thanks to your gnoll blood, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. 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.
Menacing
You gain proficiency in the Intimidation skill.
Survivalist
You gain proficiency in the Survival skill as well as a +2 to skill checks in the wilderness.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write Common and One other language, usually Orc. Orc is a harsh, grating language with hard consonants. It has no script of its own but is written in the Dwarvish script.
Touch of Chaos
The touch of chaos has blessed all half-gnolls with a spell-like ability. This can take many different forms and usually is cast in some special way which the character must choose and roleplay appropriately.
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