Unapproachable East.pdf - The Forgotten Realms

Illustration by Matt Faulkner
promise of loot and easy slaughter can stir him to real effort,
and even then he is likely to abandon ongoing tasks to indulge
his larcenous instincts unless a strong leader cows him into
obedience.
A small number of gnolls rise above the craven and violent
nature of their fellows, taking pride in their skill at arms and
their natural ferocity. While still contemptuous of weaklings,
these gnolls have a savage nobility and can endure privation
and real danger to prove they’re the toughest warriors around.
Where a common gnoll is all bluster and bullying, a superior
gnoll doesn’t waste time on words—he strikes hard and strikes
fast to get what he wants. A gnoll with such determination
and courage is rare and generally rises to a position of leadership
among his people.
Physical Description: If a hyena could walk on two legs and
carry weapons, it would not be far from a gnoll. Gnolls’ skin
is a greenish-gray color, and the furry hide is marked with
brown spots and a reddish-gray to dirty yellow mane. These
massive humanoids are nocturnal carnivores by nature, and
they’re not particular about who or what they eat—or, for
that matter, whether it’s been cooked. A gnoll can stand up
to 7 1/2 feet in height.
Relations: No one harbors goodwill toward gnollkind, not
even gnolls themselves. Civilized folk such as humans or elves
view them as cruel, rapacious marauders no better than orcs
RACES OF THE EAST
Star Elf Gnoll Taer Volodni Spirit folk
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or goblins, and even other savage races do not get along
with them. Gnoll bands serve the Red Wizards of Thay out
of fear and the chance to plunder or torment those weaker
than themselves.
Alignment: Most gnolls are chaotic and evil, taking what
they want from anyone not strong enough to defend it, and
having no patience for rules. Those who behave otherwise
either bury their nature beneath slavish devotion to a more
powerful master or drive themselves to be better at what
they do.
Religion: Gnolls worship Yeenoghu, a demon lord who is the
patron of their vile race. They are not particularly reverent,
but a tribe or clan down on its luck might propitiate Yeenoghu
through the sacrifice of living captives.
Language: Most gnolls speak only Gnoll, but player characters
speak Common as well. Bonus languages include Giant,
Goblin, Mulan, Orc, and Rashemi.
Names: Male—Brask, Durrash, Faush, Lask, Thovarr,
Wesk; Female—Amal, Hett, Ishtish, Senga. Surnames: Bloodfang,
Ear-taker, Face-ripper, Spearbreaker.
Adventurers: Generally regarded as vicious thugs and brigands,
most gnolls live down to expectations. However, in lands
where gnolls are common, a small number are reliable enough
(barely) to hold down jobs as guards, trackers, or hired muscle.
As a sword-for-hire, a gnoll usually falls in with the worst sort