Gnoll
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Revision as of 03:19, 26 September 2007
In Belegarth, Gnolls are a monster race possessed 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.
Although no one knows for sure where Gnolls originated from, they pose an immediate threat to all civilization. Gnolls may seem primitive and feral, but they are unmistakably terrifying in their singular determination to destroy every existing culture.
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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 passes into adulthood, that Gnoll must craft a distinctive leather 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 Gnolls. These artifacts can include rings, belts, necklaces, bracelets and anything round in shape.
Gnolls live in small clans of around 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 inferior (largely humans). Nothing goes to waste in a Gnoll clan. 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.
Clans
The vast majority of Gnolls belong to a clan. The clan serves as an extended family for a 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.
Guttermaw Clan
Guttermaw 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 Guttermaw are blue and yellow and sometimes purple.
Origin
No one knows for sure where/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 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 her people to wander the earth for eternity.
Language
Gnolls have for the most part adopted the common speech, with a few noticable 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." Gnolls only capitalize self referential words and the beginning of sentences. 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 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.
