Gnolls look like hyenas given humanoid bearing. Their powerfully built bodies are covered with short brown or dull yellow fur spotted in darker brown. The claws on their hands and feet, while often painted or decorated with whorls, are brittle and ill-suited as weapons. Gnolls find most clothing restrictive and uncomfortable and favor short kilts or skirts with hardened leather mail or a leather apron to protect the torso. They like to adorn their leather with metal links and spikes.
Though they are viewed as lazy and vicious by their detractors, gnolls are no more likely to be indolent or violent than the members of any other lineage. They once lived in familial packs like the hyenas they resemble but are increasingly becoming citizens of the world and can be found in most desert and port cities. Non-adventurous gnolls gravitate toward physical occupations, such as tanning and trapping. Gnolls evidence some amount of wanderlust, and they are often found among traveling caravans or as the crew of merchant vessels.
Gnolls once favored the worship of archfiends, and while some pay reverence to one demon lord or another, they are more likely to adhere to the religious mores of their chosen community, though many gnolls eschew religion entirely.
Gnoll Lineage Traits
Your gnoll character has certain hereditary traits dictated by their lineage.
Age. Gnolls tend to live hard lives. They reach adulthood around 12 and few see more than 70 summers.
Size. Gnolls are Medium size, and they range from 7 to 8 feet tall and average around 250 pounds. Females tend to be taller and more powerfully built than males.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Scent Prey. You have advantage on WIS (Survival) checks that rely on smell.
Sprinter. Your powerful legs allow you to overrun your prey. When you use your action to Dash, you move triple your speed. You can use this feature a number of times per day equal to your PB. You regain all uses when you finish a long rest.