Pack Instinct

Gnolls are social creatures, and the pack instinct plays a powerful
role in their lives. The bond of the pack is essential to all gnolls and,
while they may occasionally squabble to lines of dominance, gnolls
make for steadfast allies. In battle, gnolls are strong team players
and will typically set aside any thought of personal glory to assist
their clanmates. Though they generally prove wary of strangers,
Gnoll gnolls are seldom solitary and those that are separated from their
kin will usually seek surrogate packs. The often aggressive behavior
"SHOULD YOU SEEK THE FLEETING ATTENTION and fearsome appearance of the hyenafolk can be difficult to deal
OF the hyenafolk- take heed; they bear an appetite not for gold, with, yet their pack instincts are strong. Should you earn the rare
trust of a gnoll, you will find that their kinship brings with it a very
nor for such ideals as honor or mercy. If you wish to earn the rare
powerful bond.
trust of gnolls, you would do well to prove that you are worth
more to their pack than just your weight in flesh." Thrill of the Hunt
—Scholar Brammir, The Denmatron's Rebellion Fierce and feral, gnolls are true creatures of the wild; they show
little interest in conquest and very seldom seek gold or glory. Driven
Though widely reviled as savage stalkers and merciless by their predatory instincts and the ancient touch of demon blood,
marauders, the collective identity of the gnolls is as contentious a gnolls revel in the thrill of the hunt and will prove particularly
subject among scholars as it is among the gnolls themselves. Few enthusiastic about hunting alongside their allies. Additionally,
traits can be said to be shared by the gnolls of each and every gnolls regularly commemorate their pursuits by collecting trophies-
clan- but those most common include an often wild and fiery these most often being the bones or preserved limbs of their prey.
demeanor, profound social instincts, and an innate passion for the
hunt. Abyssal Origins
The gnolls of the Butcher's Brood are fanatic ally devoted to their
Hyaenids demon prince; they believe that his blood flows through their veins
and that their devotion justifies every terrible atrocity they commit.
A gnoll looks much like a humanoid hyena and shares many For the Children of Yeenoghu, cruelty and bloodshed are a source of
traits with the animal. Gnolls are strong, tall, and lean and joy and a reason for living. And though not every gnoll must align
covered with a thick coat of fur, which generally ranges from themselves with the Beast of Butcher y, an ancient bond to the
light to dark brown. D epending on the clan, this might be a demon lord ensures that all Toril's hyenafolk bear traces of his
uniform color, or broken up by stripes or spots. savage ferocity.
Though they are not obligate carnivores, it is not But despite the gnolls' strong ties to Yeenoghu, no one truly knows
uncommon for a gnoll to subsist solely on meat. Li ke the what forces delivered them unto the material plane. While it is
hyenas they resemble, gnolls possess strong jaws and are widely believed that the gnolls were created by Yeenoghu himself,
capable of consuming almost every part of their prey, including some myths suggest instead that the Demon Prince turned the
teeth and bones. hyenafolk away from a lesser god who served as their patron before
Aggressive Behavior him. Referred to only as Gorellik, the long-forgotten deity was
believed to have been a savage patron of hunters and predatory
beasts- not unlike the Faerûnian deity Malar.
Due to their excitable, assertive, and impulsive nature, gnolls
Though Yeenoghu's influence will forever taint the gnolls, even
are commonly known for their aggression and general lack of
those of Abyssal heritage might seek purpose apart from the
civility. When speaking, gnolls tend to be brazenly direct and
lacking in common courtesy; few would waste time with ruination of the mortal realm. Clans who break away from the
pleasantries and many gnolls prefer to be concise over Butcher 's Brood may embrace the worship of the common gods or
bothering with embellishment. Though they are instinctively might otherwise see the deities as being no different from demons.
social, the relatively savage demeanor held by most gnolls can Some who reject the demonic Prince of Gnolls may also find
make even the friendliest behavior seem aggressive. purpose anew in the spirit of the hyena that lies within them and
seek solace through the ties they hold to their kin and to the natural
world.

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 d20 Quirk
Hierarchy and AUTHORITY
Authority
HIERARCHY AND
--------
Like hyenas, gnolls exhibit a notable degree of social
6
You are often confused or annoyed by the
inclinations of civilized folk.
hierarchy within their packs. Packlords generally shape this You nonchalantly propose ruthless acts of violence
hierarchy into an order of succession, granting authority both 7
during casual conversation.
by lineage and perceived ability to lead and protect the clan.
But in order to ensure the strength of this hierarchy, it is You struggle with attentiveness, often proving easily
8
fairly common for challenges of authority to occur between bored or distracted.
packmates of similar standing. Such squabbles typically You display no reservations about disemboweling
comprise of brief displays of dominance and intimidation 9
intelligent creatures.
and- though these altercations may occasionally result in
some amount of bloodshed- few gnolls would deem it You express mild concern for any folk who are
10
productive to cripple or fatally wound their clanmates. without sharp teeth or thick fur.
You are highly protective of your companions and
Diplomatic
DIPLOMATIC Inability
INABILITY 11
instinctively distrustful of anyone else.
The uncommon gnolls that see fit to coexist with their non-hyeninic You fight with great enthusiasm and resent easily-
12
neighbors are nevertheless likely to remain wholly won victories.
aloof; the beastfolk seldom mingle with those outside of their 14 You dislike spending much time in any one place.
individual packs and, in such engagements, may prove
reluctant to show much in the way of hospitality. Being highly You have inherited a number of abnormal
13
suspicious of strangers, gnolls who show any regard for other superstitions from your clan.
humanoids oft do so either with disdain or careful curiosity. You tend to lord over anyone that you deem
Furthermore, a majority of gnoll clans are openly hostile to 15
unintimidating.
each other due to their competitive nature. This aggression
usually extends to all strange gnolls, making it highly difficult You habitually inspect materials by tasting or
16
or even dangerous for any lone wanderers to join a new pack. chewing on them.
You are strongly inclined to collect trophies and
Hunters and WANDERERS
Wanderers 17
HUNTERS AND mementos.
-----
Due to their hyaenid ancestry, gnolls inherently favor wild, You try to repress your primal fury, fearful that it may
wayfaring lifestyles. Some practice related trades- such as 18 betray you.
leatherworking and herbalism- or take up animal husbandry, You make up for in enthusiasm what you lact in
taming beasts and training pack animals. Though gnolls 19
tactfulness.
seldom approach anyone outside of their clans, some more
entreprising hunters might be willing to offer their services to You love to compete and regularly attempt to outdo
local people as trappers or trackers. 20
your allies.
Leaving the Pack
LEAVING THE PACK Gnoll Names
GNOLLNAMES
You may have come from a nomadic tribe of shamanistic Gnoll names are usually short and comprised of the same
hunters, wild and true to your nature; you may have belonged harsh sounds of the gnoll language- often being spoken like a
to a roaming clan of marauders or a congregation of sort of growl or bark.
wandering trappers and traders; or perhaps you were Male Names: Dagnyr, Dhyrn, Doryc, Garr, Gurn, Gnasc,
separated from your kin entirely and have come to live among Gorak, Grakk, Gyrryn, Harr, Hattak, Hyrn, Ilekk, Ishkr,
common folk either in fellowship or in servitude. Keghet, Knaag, Kraff, Krik, Kurr, Kurshak, Kylm, Laskh,
Whatever your origins, remember that the pack instinct is Lhyr, Rolk, Shar, Thrakk, Thyrn, Urg, Varr, Vas, Vaszi, Yekk
strong in gnolls and that it is unlikely for one to leave his or
her pack by choice. Furthermore, consider that most gnolls Female Names: Dagnyra, Dyrna, Garra, Gnara, Gorza,
share an ancient bond with Yeenoghu; you may choose not to Grakka, Harra, Hruthna, Ishka, Kaskya, Ketta, Krshia,
act upon your demonic inclinations, but they are nonetheless Kylma, Lhyra, Malla, Mrna, Mrsha, Nysha, Osyka, Othna,
a part of your nature. Saga, Srnya, Shara, Vara, Vasza, Vedya, Vetza, Yrna, Zudya

Gnoll Quirks
Gnoll Traits
GNOLL TRAITS
d20 Quirk
Your gnoll character gains the follow characteristics.
1 You are greatly amused by the macabre.
Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increased
2 You trust and treat your friends like family. by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
3 You are always hungry. Age. Gnolls reach adulthood at remarkable speed, and
4 You impulsively imitate others when trying to fit in. rarely live longer than 30 years.
Alignment. Gnolls might not have an innate tendency
5 Your attempts to be cordial are genuinely unsettling.
toward evil, but many of them end up there. Evil or not, an
independent nature inclines many gnolls toward a chaotic
alignment.

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 Size. Gnoll are somewhat larger and bulkier
than humans, and they range from 6 to well over
7 feet tall. Your size is Mediwn.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Frightful Appearance. You gain proficiency
in the Intimidation skill.
Darkvision. Thanks to your hyena 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.
Languages. You can speak, read, and
write Common and Gnoll.
Natural Equipped. You are never unarmed.
You are proficient with your bite, which is a
melee weapon that deals ld6 piercing damage
plus your Strength modifier.
Rampage. When you reduce a creature to 0 hit
points with a melee attack on your turn, you can
take a bonus action to move up half your speed
and make a bite attack.
Gnoll Combat Training. You gain proficiency
with javelins, longbows, longswords, glaives, and
spears.
SPO T T E D C L A N
Howl of the Pack Choose a friendly creature
who can see or hear you within 30 feet. It can Named after the large spots on their fur patterns, these are the
use its reaction to make a one weapon attack. most common variety of gnolls. Your gnoll character gains the
follow characteristics:
After you use this feature, you can't use it
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 1.
again until you complete a short or long rest.
Subrace. Due to the rifts that exist between Ferocity. The natural hunting instinct you have enables you to
crush your foes. When you miss with an attack roll, you can
the gnolls, their clans each bear their own unique
choose to reroll it, adding your Strength modifier (min +1) as a
cultures and characteristics. bonus to the attack roll. After using this feature, you must take a
The following clans are available as subrace short or long rest before doing so again.
options: Spotted, Striped, and Brown.
Natural Agility. You are proficient in your choice of either the
Choose one of these clans for your gnoll Acrobatics or Stealth skills.
character, renaming it to fit your backstory or
campaign setting if desired. BROWN CLAN

STRIPED CLAN Named after the distinct color difference between this clan and
Named after the stripes interlayed within their fur patterns, others, This is largest and least common variety of gnolls,
these are the smallest variety of gnolls. Your gnoll character often being found as the leader of a gnoll pack. Your gnoll
gains the follow characteristics: character gains the follow characteristics:

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1. Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 1.
Pyromania. Nothing makes you happier than seeing the Incite Rampage. Born to be a leader, you can command
world burn. Whenever you make an attack that deals fire your allies to strike when you see fit. As an action or by
damage, you add an extra 1d4 to the damage dice. This substituting one of your attacks when you take the Attack
increases to 1d6 at 5th level, 1d8 at 10th level, and 1d12 at 14th action on your turn, you can allow a friendly creature within
level. 30 feet of you that can see and hear you to use their reaction
Sudden Rush. You can activate this trait to take and make one weapon attack against a creature within 5 feet
action as a bonus action on your turn. Whenever you use this of them. Once you have used this ability, you must finish a
trait to Dash, you do not provoke opportunity attac ks for the short or long rest before you can use it again.
duration of that turn. Demonic Surge. Your lord has given you a fraction of his
You can use this trait a number of times equal to your power to bring his will to the battlefield. You may learn the
Constitution modifier (minimum of once). You regain all Fire Bolt, Acid Splash, Poison Spray, or Chill Touch Cantrip.
expended uses of it when you finish a long rest. Before making the attack, you may choose to double the
amount of damage dice should the attack hit; you take half of
the damage from this spell even if the attack misses. short or
long rest before you can use it again.
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 Gnoll Racial Feats
As a PACK
gnoll, youLORD
can take any of the following feats in place of
an Ability Score Improvement.

Animal
• Awareness
•
Prerequisite: Perception or Survival skill proficiency
You have proven to be exceptionally aware of your animalistic
senses. You gain the following benefits:
VICIOUS

Increase your Wisdom score by 1, to a maximum of 20.

You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) skill checks
that
• rely upon hearing.
You
• have advantage on Wisdom (Survival) skill checks
made to track a creature if you hold an item that bears its
scent. You do not require such an item if you are
personally
• familiar with the creature.
Carrion Eater
You know better than to pass up a potential meal. You gain
the following benefits::
Increase your Constitution score by 1, to a maximum of 20.

You have advantage on skill checks made to harvest

creatures.
Whenever you spend one or more Hit Dice to heal at the end
of a short rest, you can regain an additional number of Hit
Points equal to twice your character level. To gain this
benefit, you must have spent at least 5 minutes within the
past 6 hours feasting on the corpse of a creature that is not a
construct or elemental. Once you use this feature, you can FURY OF THE PACK
not use it again until you complete a long rest.
When you damage a creature with an attack or a spell, you can
call upon the collective fervor of your pack. For each one of
your allies within 10 feet of the creature (maximum of 3), it
You gain the following benefits: takes additional damage equal to your proficiency bonus.
You gain the traits of one gnoll subrace of your choice.
Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you
Your proficiency bonus is doubled for Charisma
complete a short or long rest.
(Intimidation) checks .
Vicious FLIND TRAINING
An archdemon or god, most likely Yeenoghu, has bestowed
Your bite is deadly and you have grown eager to prove it. You upon you the gift of becoming a flind.
gain the following benefits: Your Strength score increases by 1.
The damage die of your bite increases to a d10. You gain proficiency in one martial weapon of your choice.
You have advantage on the first bite attack you make each When you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can
round against a creature that is grappling or being choose to deal an additional 2d8 psychic damage.
grappled by you. After using this feature, you must take a short or long rest
Whenever a creature within reach deals damage to you before doing so again.
while your hit points are at or below half of your current
maximum, you can use a reaction to make a bite attack
against it.