Gnoll

From Fellaor

Gnolls are large humanoid creatures with Hyena-like faces native to the island of Fellaor. Their society is nomadic and loosely tribal, with typical tribes ranging between 20-50 individuals, although tribes as small as 10 or as large as 100 have some times been reported. In Fellaor, Gnolls live on the eastern side of the continent, both in the wastes and in the forests of northern Aragana.

[edit] Physiology

A typical gnoll stands roughly 7-1/2 feet tall, and weights roughly 300 pounds. Because of the extensive curvature of the gnoll's spine, it's hight is closer to 6-1/2 feet, and upon encounter a one has the feeling that the gnoll is about to fall upon the object of it's attention. Because of the curvature of the gnoll's spine, and the need to support the weight of the head, the back muscles of the gnoll are extremely well developed. As a result of this, a gnoll can cary many times its weight in supplies, which is beneficial given the Gnolls' nomadic lifestyle.

[edit] Society

As near-carnivores, gnolls large gnoll societies must constantly move on in order to keep from depleting the game in regions in which the choose to reside. In addition to being hunters, gnoll tribes also employ herders, keeping small flocks of sheep and goats to eat during major festivals, or during times in which game is not readily available. Along these lines gnoll societies typically hold captive slaves from intelligent races, to serve both as sources of food and also as craftsmen and workers for gnoll societies. In addition to the nomadic tribes, there are a few permanent gnoll settlements in the Wastes. These settlements serve as a focal point for trade and territory negotiation for tribes of gnolls. Here slaves, handiworks, and religious artifacts may be bartered, bought, or sold. Some of these settlements are of religious significance, others are not. Gnolls, instead of worshipping a specific god, worship a great demon called Yeenaghu, who they maintain traveled to the prime material plane in order to teach the gnolls the ways of war and raiding. They believe that Yeenaghu shaped the gnoll population in his image, and taught the gnoll chieftains the secrets of metal working. Gnoll society is polygenous, with a chieftain typically taking on several mates.

Sometimes a number of gnoll tribes will merge into a "super-tribe" lead by a great chief or a council of chiefs. Typically these tribes will form in times of famine, in order to effectively assault one of the territories outlining the wastes. Gnoll technology is moderately developed. Gnolls have developed extensive metalworking techniques, and are skilled craftsmen with nets, snares and other wooden/rope objects. Gnolls have sometimes been seen traversing lakes using crude rafts and sometimes fishing with hook and line, although spear fishing is more common among them. Gnolls speak their own language, gnoll, which does not have a written form. Civilized Gnolls are sometimes employed as bodyguards or servants within Elfhaerin and Aragana City, as well as sometimes being employed as mercenaries by the Haridrin.