![[GnollMerchant.png|500]] 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 even among Bakluni they are often seen as outsiders. Traditionally living as semi-nomadic tribes in grasslands and lightly forested areas, gnolls have taken to more urban lifestyles wherever they find acceptance. They are happy living alongside other races, but it is more a matter of convenience and advantages over necessity or any strong urge. Gnolls demonstrate high rates of sorcerous potential. Ekbir is attempting to make inroads with gnollish communities by funding schools to train those with magical talent. # Gnoll Heritage ### 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. **Speed.** Your base walking 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 without any material components; you must finish a long rest in order to cast the spell again using this gift. A 1st-level spell chosen this way can be cast as if using a 2ndlevel spell slot. 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 Many gnolls see themselves as proudly Beran, but one large region resists the calls for modern internationalism and “civility.” Some communities even praise the long-dead dragon tyrants. Most infamous of these are the steelmarked gnolls of Isla dolas Focas, who worship their old tyrant of the Dragon Empire, Gradiax, as a sort of god of metal and technology. **Suggested Cultures.** While you can choose any culture for your gnoll character, the following cultures are linked closely with this heritage: bloodmarked, Pedresco, steelmarked.