Gnoll

Revision as of 06:44, 19 May 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.

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

• Kit Gutter Maw of Shaolin Rugged Lands (Moscow, ID)

• Bruder

• Morwen