Gnoll
From BelegarthWiki
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[[Category:Races]] | [[Category:Races]] | ||
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:gnoll.jpg|thumb|gnoll]] |
| − | In [[Belegarth]], ''' | + | In [[Belegarth]], '''gnolls''' are a [[monsters|monster]] race driven by an insatiable desire for carnage and the subjugation of all other species. gnolls hold allegiance only to the dead and have above all, a reverence only for the slaughter of every living thing. gnolls maintain a tenuous truce with all monsters that share their vision of a world shrouded in chaos. |
| − | Gnolls represent an ever growing threat to all civilization. They may seem primitive and feral, but | + | Gnolls represent an ever growing threat to all civilization. They may seem primitive and feral, but their brutally efficient pack tactics and boundless cruelty should not be underestimated. |
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
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Gnolls are best described as filthy, sinister hyena-folk. When standing, they assume an inhumanly slouched posture with shoulders arched forward and head held low to the ground. They dress universally in baggy pants or skirts that extend below the knee. Garb is made in whatever fashion and with whatever material is available, resulting in a very sloppy, stitched together aesthetic. No regard for color coordination is given; the more garish, the better. | Gnolls are best described as filthy, sinister hyena-folk. When standing, they assume an inhumanly slouched posture with shoulders arched forward and head held low to the ground. They dress universally in baggy pants or skirts that extend below the knee. Garb is made in whatever fashion and with whatever material is available, resulting in a very sloppy, stitched together aesthetic. No regard for color coordination is given; the more garish, the better. | ||
| − | When a | + | When a gnoll celebrates their first birthday, that gnoll must craft a distinctive leather collar representing the bond to their pack. The collar remains around the gnoll's neck, even in death (though the neck itself will be cannibalized). The collar is a sacred item and over a lifetime accumulates all manner of charms, bones, feathers, and various leathers and skins. |
| − | In addition to the collar, any circular artifacts are considered items of spiritual power to | + | In addition to the collar, any circular artifacts are considered items of spiritual power to gnolls. These artifacts can include rings, belts, necklaces, bracelets and anything round in shape. |
| − | Gnolls live in small | + | Gnolls live in small packs of five to ten individuals and are largely nomadic. gnolls are primarily meat eaters, but will occasionally supplement their diet with whatever other foods can be scavenged. A large part of gnoll culture centers around the hunt and pursuit of any creature thought by gnolls to be weaker (particularly humans). Nothing goes to waste in a gnoll pack. All items in possession of a gnoll were at one time taken from somewhere else, so arms and armor are largely eclectic and mismatched; determined by what's available and a gnoll's personal taste. |
| − | Gnolls enjoy killing. When not killing, they enjoy fighting. When not fighting, they enjoy eating/sleeping/breeding. Every other aspect of | + | Gnolls enjoy killing. When not killing, they enjoy fighting. When not fighting, they enjoy eating/sleeping/breeding. Every other aspect of gnoll culture is considered superficial. |
| − | == | + | ==Pack== |
| − | The vast majority of | + | The vast majority of gnolls belong to a pack. The pack serves as an extended family for a gnoll and the pack always acts as one. Different packs have different customs and traditions that are dictated by a (usually) self appointed leader or in some rare cases, shaman. To date, there is only one documented pack. |
| − | ===Guttermaw | + | ===Guttermaw Pack=== |
| − | Guttermaw have a reputation for one thing only: talking trash. | + | Guttermaw have a reputation for one thing only: talking trash. Guttermaw delight in the excesses of gnolldom. They take pride in wearing the ugliest clothing available to them, are constantly chewing on something, and are always the loudest presence in a fight. |
==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
| − | No one knows for sure where | + | No one knows for sure where or what gnolls originated from. Some speculate gnolls were a failed creation by an ancient god attempting to create the perfect garbage disposal. Some believe gnolls are demonic in nature, risen from the depths of the abyss to punish humanity's sins. Religious gnoll fanatics (of which there are few) fervently believe that the first gnoll stumbled and fell off the sun long long ago after a raucous night of binge drinking with the cosmos, dooming her people to wander the earth for eternity. |
==Language== | ==Language== | ||
| − | Gnolls have for the most part adopted the common speech, with a few noticeable differences. Gnolls always refer to everything in it's singular form as | + | Gnolls have for the most part adopted the common speech, with a few noticeable differences. Gnolls always refer to everything in it's singular form as gnolls are seemingly unable to perceive quantity. The only state of being to a gnoll is to "be." "Am," "is," "are," "was," "were," and "been," are all replaced with "be." Also, gnolls have a difficult time distinguishing the past, present and future. Most past and future events are referred to in the present tense. Gnolls do not use articles in their speech; words such as "a," "an," and "the." |
There exists an ancient system of runes, passed down from clan to clan, but it's meaning is largely forgotten. | There exists an ancient system of runes, passed down from clan to clan, but it's meaning is largely forgotten. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==So, You Want to Be a Gnoll...== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Gnolls wear skirts or considerably baggy pants that cover the knees. | ||
| + | * Clothing is pillaged or very crudely stitched together. Patchwork is good; the more garish, the better. ''Tastefully'' accent your garb with bones, fur, and warbraids. !DANGER! ''Too much fur makes you look like a stuffed animal or a furry.'' | ||
| + | * A gnoll should wear a distinctive collar. Make it colorful, make it big, make it stand out. | ||
| + | * When it comes to makeup and warpaint, stick with simple concepts at first. Highlight or mask the eyes. | ||
| + | * Characterization is entirely up to you and your ability to pull it off convincingly. Try hunching over when idle, cackling maniacally in battle, it's really up to you and how you want to play. Remember: gnolls are repugnant, vile monsters, but that isn't an excuse to be a dick. | ||
| + | * We're still a young race so keep creating! | ||
==Known Gnolls== | ==Known Gnolls== | ||
| − | As a relatively young race, | + | As a relatively young race, gnolls from around the world are still disorganized. |
*[[Giggles]] | *[[Giggles]] | ||
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*Maybe [[Losivvt]]? | *Maybe [[Losivvt]]? | ||
| − | *There were mention of two | + | *There were mention of two gnolls from [[The Lowlands]] |
| − | *[[Bruder]] was a | + | *[[Bruder]] was a gnoll, but couldn't hack it. His loss. |
Revision as of 04:38, 31 August 2008
In Belegarth, gnolls are a monster race driven by an insatiable desire for carnage and the subjugation of all other species. gnolls hold allegiance only to the dead and have above all, a reverence only for the slaughter of every living thing. gnolls maintain a tenuous truce with all monsters that share their vision of a world shrouded in chaos. Gnolls represent an ever growing threat to all civilization. They may seem primitive and feral, but their brutally efficient pack tactics and boundless cruelty should not be underestimated.
Contents |
Description
Gnolls are best described as filthy, sinister hyena-folk. When standing, they assume an inhumanly slouched posture with shoulders arched forward and head held low to the ground. They dress universally in baggy pants or skirts that extend below the knee. Garb is made in whatever fashion and with whatever material is available, resulting in a very sloppy, stitched together aesthetic. No regard for color coordination is given; the more garish, the better.
When a gnoll celebrates their first birthday, that gnoll must craft a distinctive leather collar representing the bond to their pack. The collar remains around the gnoll's neck, even in death (though the neck itself will be cannibalized). The collar is a sacred item and over a lifetime accumulates all manner of charms, bones, feathers, and various leathers and skins.
In addition to the collar, any circular artifacts are considered items of spiritual power to gnolls. These artifacts can include rings, belts, necklaces, bracelets and anything round in shape.
Gnolls live in small packs of five to ten individuals and are largely nomadic. gnolls are primarily meat eaters, but will occasionally supplement their diet with whatever other foods can be scavenged. A large part of gnoll culture centers around the hunt and pursuit of any creature thought by gnolls to be weaker (particularly humans). Nothing goes to waste in a gnoll pack. All items in possession of a gnoll were at one time taken from somewhere else, so arms and armor are largely eclectic and mismatched; determined by what's available and a gnoll's personal taste.
Gnolls enjoy killing. When not killing, they enjoy fighting. When not fighting, they enjoy eating/sleeping/breeding. Every other aspect of gnoll culture is considered superficial.
Pack
The vast majority of gnolls belong to a pack. The pack serves as an extended family for a gnoll and the pack always acts as one. Different packs have different customs and traditions that are dictated by a (usually) self appointed leader or in some rare cases, shaman. To date, there is only one documented pack.
Guttermaw Pack
Guttermaw have a reputation for one thing only: talking trash. Guttermaw delight in the excesses of gnolldom. They take pride in wearing the ugliest clothing available to them, are constantly chewing on something, and are always the loudest presence in a fight.
Origin
No one knows for sure where or what gnolls originated from. Some speculate gnolls were a failed creation by an ancient god attempting to create the perfect garbage disposal. Some believe gnolls are demonic in nature, risen from the depths of the abyss to punish humanity's sins. Religious gnoll fanatics (of which there are few) fervently believe that the first gnoll stumbled and fell off the sun long long ago after a raucous night of binge drinking with the cosmos, dooming her people to wander the earth for eternity.
Language
Gnolls have for the most part adopted the common speech, with a few noticeable differences. Gnolls always refer to everything in it's singular form as gnolls are seemingly unable to perceive quantity. The only state of being to a gnoll is to "be." "Am," "is," "are," "was," "were," and "been," are all replaced with "be." Also, gnolls have a difficult time distinguishing the past, present and future. Most past and future events are referred to in the present tense. Gnolls do not use articles in their speech; words such as "a," "an," and "the."
There exists an ancient system of runes, passed down from clan to clan, but it's meaning is largely forgotten.
So, You Want to Be a Gnoll...
- Gnolls wear skirts or considerably baggy pants that cover the knees.
- Clothing is pillaged or very crudely stitched together. Patchwork is good; the more garish, the better. Tastefully accent your garb with bones, fur, and warbraids. !DANGER! Too much fur makes you look like a stuffed animal or a furry.
- A gnoll should wear a distinctive collar. Make it colorful, make it big, make it stand out.
- When it comes to makeup and warpaint, stick with simple concepts at first. Highlight or mask the eyes.
- Characterization is entirely up to you and your ability to pull it off convincingly. Try hunching over when idle, cackling maniacally in battle, it's really up to you and how you want to play. Remember: gnolls are repugnant, vile monsters, but that isn't an excuse to be a dick.
- We're still a young race so keep creating!
Known Gnolls
As a relatively young race, gnolls from around the world are still disorganized.
- Maybe Losivvt?
- There were mention of two gnolls from The Lowlands
- Bruder was a gnoll, but couldn't hack it. His loss.
