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Gnoll

Gnoll

Gnolls resemble humanoid hyenas, averaging between seven and seven-and-a-half feet tall, with long limbs and jaws strong enough to crush and tear. They have difficulty pronouncing other humanoid languages, so they are often seen as outsiders, and their echoing barks and laughter can disorient and terrify their enemies.  

Gnolls who aren’t initiated into demonic cults can be peaceful, and some gnoll warriors manage to turn their back on their packs and live among other creatures, conquering but never truly escaping their fiendish bloodlust. 

Gnolls demonstrate high rates of sorcerous potential. 

 

Gnoll Traits

 

Gnolls gain the following traits.

Age. Gnolls reach adulthood at age 12 and live up to 50 years.

Size. Medium. 

Bristling Instinct. You gain an expertise die on saving throws against being frightened , and against other effects that would alter your emotions. (An expertise die is an extra 1d4 that you roll and add to your main d20 roll.)

Speed. Your base Speed is 35 feet.


Gnoll Gifts

Select one of the following gifts.

Magic in the Blood

You know one cantrip of your choice from the sorcerer spell list. At 3rd level, choose one 1st- or 2nd-level sorcerer spell, which you can cast once per long rest without any material components. A 1st-level spell chosen this way can be cast as if using a 2nd-level spell slot, if the spell allows. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Predatory Body

You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell. Additionally, your fanged maw is a natural weapon, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with it, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.

While you aren’t wearing armor, your AC equals 13 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use a shield and still gain this benefit.


Gnoll Paragon

When you reach 10th level, you gain one of the following paragon gifts.

Free-Minded

Choose one of the following saving throws : Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma. You gain an expertise die when using the chosen saving throw to resist magic.

Supernatural Hide

You can spend a bonus action and choose one of the following damage types: acid, cold, electricity, fire, necrotic, poison, radiant, or thunder. You gain resistance to that damage type for the next minute. After you use this ability, you cannot use it again until you complete a short rest .


Gnoll Culture

Suggested Cultures. While you can choose any culture for your gnoll character, the following cultures are linked closely with this heritage: bloodmarked , Pedresco , steelmarked .