Gnoll
From BelegarthWiki
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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 | distinctive collar representing the bond to their clan. The collar | ||
| − | remains around the Gnoll's neck, even in death. The collar is an | + | *remains around the Gnoll's neck, even in death. The collar is an |
extremely personal item and over a lifetime accumulates all manner of | extremely personal item and over a lifetime accumulates all manner of | ||
charms, bones, feathers, and various leathers and skins. Certain | charms, bones, feathers, and various leathers and skins. Certain | ||
| Line 100: | Line 100: | ||
==Known Gnoll== | ==Known Gnoll== | ||
| − | [[Kit|Kit Gutter Maw]] of the [[Shaolin Rugged Lands Rest and Relaxation Retreat]] | + | * [[Kit|Kit Gutter Maw]] of the [[Shaolin Rugged Lands Rest and Relaxation Retreat]] |
(Moscow, ID) | (Moscow, ID) | ||
| − | [[Bruder]] | + | * [[Bruder]] |
Revision as of 10:40, 22 March 2007
In Belegarth, Gnoll are a monster race possessed by an insatiable desire for carnage and the domination of all other species. Gnoll hold allegiance to no one and have above all, 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.
Contents |
Description
Gnoll are best described as filthy, sinister hyena-men. When standing, 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 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 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 nomadic. Gnoll are primarily meat eaters, but will occasionally 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 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
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 shaman. To date, there is only one documented clan.
Gutter Maw Clan
Gutter Maw are defined by always doing one of two things: eating, or talking trash. Gutter Maw delight in the excesses of Gnolldom. They 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
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 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 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 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 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
(Moscow, ID)
