Homebrew Balanced Gnoll Species Details

Large and Brutal

 Gnolls were a humanoid race that most closely resembled human-hyena hybrids within Faerûn. They were carnivorous humanoids, known for their savage culture and warlike ways. Gnolls were extremely tall, with the average member of the race standing on average between 7′0″‒7′6″ (2.1‒2.3 m). Though gnolls were relatively lean for their height, weighing in usually between 280‒320 lb (130,000‒150,000 g), they cut an impressive visage. In part because of their height and lean musculature, gnolls were very quickly compared with many other races such as humans. Gnoll skin was greenish-gray, and their furry hide a light or dark brown hue, sometimes marked with spots or stripes. Many gnolls also had a dirty yellow to a reddish-gray crest-like mane that stood on end when they were angry.

It is believed by some that gnolls had traces of demonic blood, which may be evidenced by unusual features found among some of the gnoll bloodlines. These may have included talons, gleaming red eyes, or black fur with fiery orange spots.

Religion

Gnolls were most often worshipers of the demon lord Yeenoghu, who some claim created them. Though some paid only nominal reverence, many gnolls were fanatically devoted to their dark overlord, his influence having been the primary cause of their savagery. Some gnolls believed it was their purpose as Yeenoghu's servants to cleanse the weak from the world, serving a higher purpose through the slaughter they had spread.

Gnolls as Player Characters

Gnolls are usually created by foul magic, either by the demon lord Yeenoghu himself or by gnolls he has already made, but they can also be born from a gnoll mother and father. The ritual specifically consists of feeding the corpses of intelligent creatures to hyenas until they are very fat, and then by using the magic gifted to them by Yeenoghu, they warp the body of the hyena into a fellow gnoll.

Very rarely do gnolls leave their pack and very few do for good reasons as gnolls are innately evil creatures due to their demonic heritage. It is important of you to work with your DM to develop a well thought out background for your gnoll as to overcome some of this inherit evil.

It is possible that during the ritual to create gnolls something went awry and your soul and consciousness was transferred to the new gnoll form. You could have also been a gnoll pup whom the pack thought was too weak and because of this you were left behind. Another creature with a kind heart could have taken you in and raised you in seclusion and because of this you were able to overcome your inherently evil desires and develop good ethics and morals. Whatever you decide, feel free to be creative with it but remember that the game is about everyone so having an evil gnoll in the group can be debilitating otherwise.

Footnote: I highly recommend purchasing Volo's Guide to Monsters to get a very well written and in-depth analysis of gnolls. 

 

Balanced Gnoll Traits

Your foul heritage grants you the following traits.

Ability Score Increase

Your Strength score increases by 2 and your Dexterity score increases by 2.

Age

Gnolls have very short lifespans compared to the many other humanoid races. They usually live to be 30 years old or so. Gnolls mature at a rapid pace and reach adulthood at about 2 years of age.

Alignment

Gnolls are naturally evil creatures due to their demonic ancestry and heritage, however there are a handful of rumors about gnolls who are peaceful.

Size

Gnolls are extremely tall creatures with the average height being around 7 to 7 1/2 feet. Most gnolls average 300 pounds in weight. Your size is medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Accustomed to life in the dark, 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.

Gnoll Fangs

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

Skulking Hunter

You have proficiency in the Stealth skill.

Rampage

Whenever you reduce a creature's hit points to 0 with a melee attack, you can use your bonus action to move up to half your speed and make an additional melee attack.

Languages

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