Gnoll

From BelegarthWiki

(Difference between revisions)
Jump to: navigation, search
(Known Gnoll)
Line 1: Line 1:
In [[Belegarth]], '''Gnoll''' are a [[monsters|monster]] race
+
In [[Belegarth]], '''Gnoll''' are a [[monsters|monster]] race seemingly possessed by an insatiable desire for carnage and the domination of all other species. Gnoll hold allegiance only to the dead and have above all, a reverence only for the slaughter of every living thing. Gnoll hold a tenuous truce with all monsters that share the vision of a world shrouded in chaos.
possessed by an insatiable desire for carnage and the domination of
+
 
all other species. Gnoll hold allegiance to no one and have above all,
+
Although no one knows for sure where Gnoll originated from, they pose an immediate threat to all civilization. Gnoll may seem primitive and feral, but they are terrifying in their singular determination to destroy every existing culture.
a reverence only for the slaughter of every living thing. Gnoll
+
currently hold a tenuous truce with all monsters that share their
+
vision of a world shrouded in chaos.
+
  
Although no one knows for sure where Gnoll originated from, their
 
threat to the civilized people of Belegarth is not to be
 
underestimated. Gnoll may be primitive and feral, but they are
 
terrifying in their determination to destroy everything in their path.
 
  
 
==Description==
 
==Description==
  
Gnoll are best described as filthy, sinister hyena-men. When standing,
+
Gnoll are best described as filthy, sinister hyena-men. 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.
they adopt an inhuman slouched posture with shoulders arched forward
+
and head held low. They dress universally in extremely 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 passes into adulthood, that Gnoll must craft a
+
When a Gnoll passes into adulthood, that Gnoll must craft a distinctive collar representing the bond to their clan. 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.
distinctive collar representing the bond to their clan. The collar
+
*remains around the Gnoll's neck, even in death. The collar is an
+
extremely personal item and over a lifetime accumulates all manner of
+
charms, bones, feathers, and various leathers and skins. Certain
+
colors and styles of collars have been used to distinguish clans from
+
one another, but there are no set limitations.
+
  
In addition to the collar, any circular artifacts are considered items
+
In addition to the collar, any circular artifacts are considered items of spiritual power to Gnoll. These artifacts can include rings, belts, necklaces, bracelets and anything round in shape.
of spiritual power to Gnoll. These artifacts can include rings, belts,
+
necklaces, bracelets and anything round in shape. It is unknown
+
whether or not this obsession is a cultural development, or a genetic
+
quirk, hard wired into Gnoll.
+
  
Gnoll live in small clans of around ten individuals and are largely
+
Gnoll live in small clans of around ten individuals and are largely nomadic. Gnoll 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 Gnoll
nomadic. Gnoll are primarily meat eaters, but will occasionally
+
to be inferior (largely humans). Nothing goes to waste in a Gnoll clan. All items in possession of 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.
supplement their diet with other foods. A large part of Gnoll culture
+
centers around the hunt and pursuit of any creature thought by Gnoll
+
to be inferior (that is all creatures). Nothing goes to waste in a
+
Gnoll clan. All items in possession of 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.
+
  
Gnoll enjoy killing. When not killing, they enjoy fighting. When not
+
Gnoll 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.
fighting, they enjoy eating/sleeping/breeding. Every other element of
+
Gnoll culture is considered superficial. Perhaps that is why they have
+
developed very few cultural advancements in their history.
+
  
 
==Clans==
 
==Clans==
  
The vast majority of Gnoll belong to a clan. The clan serves as an
+
The vast majority of Gnoll belong to a clan. The clan serves as an extended family for Gnoll and the clan always acts as one. Different clans have different customs and traditions that are dictated by a
extended family for Gnoll and the clan always acts as one. Different
+
(usually) self appointed leader or in some rare cases, shaman. To date, there is only one documented clan.
clans have different customs and traditions that are dictated by a
+
(usually) self appointed leader or shaman. To date, there is only one
+
documented clan.
+
  
 
===Gutter Maw Clan===
 
===Gutter Maw Clan===
  
Gutter Maw are defined by always doing one of two things: eating, or
+
Gutter Maw are best known for two things: eating, or talking trash. Gutter Maw delight in the excesses of Gnolldom. They take pride in wearing the most offensive clothing available to them, are
talking trash. Gutter Maw delight in the excesses of Gnolldom. They
+
constantly chewing on something, and are always the loudest presence in a fight. The clan colors of Gutter Maw are blue and yellow and sometimes purple.
take pride in wearing the most bizarre clothing available to them, are
+
constantly gnawing on something, and in a fight will never cease to
+
sling insults at an enemy, or barring that, laugh at the inferiority
+
of other species. The clan colors of Gutter Maw are blue and yellow.
+
  
 
==Origin==
 
==Origin==
  
No one knows for sure where/what Gnoll originated from. Some speculate
+
No one knows for sure where/what Gnoll originated from. Some speculate Gnoll were a failed creation by an ancient god attempting to create the perfect garbage disposal. Some believe Gnoll are demons, risen from the depths of a dark hell to punish humanity's excesses. 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 his people to wander the earth
Gnoll were a failed creation by an ancient god attempting to create
+
for eternity.
the perfect garbage disposal. Some believe Gnoll are demons, risen
+
from the depths of a dark hell to punish humanity's sins. Religious
+
Gnoll fanatics (of which there are few) 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 his people to wander the earth
+
for eternity. Claiming that Gnoll originated by earthly means in the
+
presence of Gnoll is guaranteed to get you killed.
+
 
+
==Culture==
+
  
Gnoll have for the most part adopted the common speech, with a few
+
==Language==
noticable differences. Gnoll always refer to everything in it's
+
singular form as Gnoll are unable to percieve quantity.
+
  
In writing and speech, Gnoll only capitalize self referential words
+
Gnoll have for the most part adopted the common speech, with a few noticable differences. Gnoll always refer to everything in it's singular form as Gnoll are seemingly unable to percieve quantity. The only state of being to a Gnoll is to "be." "Am," "is," "are," "was," "were," and "been," are all replaced with "be." Gnoll only capitalize self referential words and the beginning of sentences. Also, Gnoll have a difficult time distinguishing the past, present and future. Most past and future events are referred to in the present tense. Gnoll do not use articles in their writing; words such as "a," "an," and "the."
and tend to abbreviate words in reference to their inferiors with
+
intent to demean. So for example, a well educated Goblin may write
+
something to the effect of: "Hay pinkees! Gobbo's will eet yoor
+
chilldrens for afternoon snak!" A better educated Gnoll would write:
+
"hay pink !GNOLL will eet yoor child for afternoon snak!" Everything
+
to Gnoll is a weapon if used properly.
+
  
A Gnoll wishing to be dominate will strive to appear bigger than their
+
There exists an ancient system of runes, passed down from clan to clan, but it's meaning is largely forgotten.
subordinates and small size is considered a sign of weakness. For this
+
reason, many Gnoll prefer to scavenge for elaborate clothing and wield
+
large weapons with the intent to intimidate.
+
  
 
==Known Gnoll==
 
==Known Gnoll==

Revision as of 09:21, 4 April 2007

In Belegarth, Gnoll are a monster race seemingly possessed by an insatiable desire for carnage and the domination of all other species. Gnoll hold allegiance only to the dead and have above all, a reverence only for the slaughter of every living thing. Gnoll hold a tenuous truce with all monsters that share the vision of a world shrouded in chaos.

Although no one knows for sure where Gnoll originated from, they pose an immediate threat to all civilization. Gnoll may seem primitive and feral, but they are terrifying in their singular determination to destroy every existing culture.


Contents

Description

Gnoll are best described as filthy, sinister hyena-men. 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 passes into adulthood, that Gnoll must craft a distinctive collar representing the bond to their clan. 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 Gnoll. These artifacts can include rings, belts, necklaces, bracelets and anything round in shape.

Gnoll live in small clans of around ten individuals and are largely nomadic. Gnoll 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 Gnoll to be inferior (largely humans). Nothing goes to waste in a Gnoll clan. All items in possession of 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.

Gnoll 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.

Clans

The vast majority of Gnoll belong to a clan. The clan serves as an extended family for Gnoll and the clan always acts as one. Different clans 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 clan.

Gutter Maw Clan

Gutter Maw are best known for two things: eating, or talking trash. Gutter Maw delight in the excesses of Gnolldom. They take pride in wearing the most offensive clothing available to them, are constantly chewing on something, and are always the loudest presence in a fight. The clan colors of Gutter Maw are blue and yellow and sometimes purple.

Origin

No one knows for sure where/what Gnoll originated from. Some speculate Gnoll were a failed creation by an ancient god attempting to create the perfect garbage disposal. Some believe Gnoll are demons, risen from the depths of a dark hell to punish humanity's excesses. 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 his people to wander the earth for eternity.

Language

Gnoll have for the most part adopted the common speech, with a few noticable differences. Gnoll always refer to everything in it's singular form as Gnoll are seemingly unable to percieve quantity. The only state of being to a Gnoll is to "be." "Am," "is," "are," "was," "were," and "been," are all replaced with "be." Gnoll only capitalize self referential words and the beginning of sentences. Also, Gnoll have a difficult time distinguishing the past, present and future. Most past and future events are referred to in the present tense. Gnoll do not use articles in their writing; 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.

Known Gnoll

Personal tools
For Fighters
For Craftsman
Leadership