A Vain the Sword Addendum
(GLoGhack by Phlox)
Intelligent Peoples (of Holy Selmat and Beyond):
Kaf-Tsadhi
Humans
Serset
Elves
Eulogy
Gnomes, Fae and Related Peoples
Pre-Skeletons
Talking Animals
Also known as “hyena men,” “jackal men,” and “People of the Strand.”
Large, muscular, furred bipeds with the general look of the ground-dwelling hyenas, most often with curved spines, lending them a hunched stature despite their height. Whether they were perhaps created by the same god that created hyenas is uncertain, even amongst gnoll folklore.
Gnolls generally have voracious appetites and a strong sense of smell, and most gnoll cultures and customs are based heavily around eating. Food is the most basic of considerations any gnoll can have, whether they are visiting a friend, packing for a trip, or going about their daily business. A gnoll that does not offer food to guests or friends, even to enemies, is often seen as selfish or weak, if not both.
Those who have heard of gnolls often know one very specific detail involving eating: that the ritual for the deceased in gnoll culture that involves the consumption of the deceased’s flesh. This is both symbolic and of biological importance to gnolls - eating the flesh of the deceased seems to increase a gnolls ability to fight disease or injury and many gnolls can take on some aspect of the deceased’s capabilities in a physical way. A gnoll who consumes a Eulogy, for example, may gain small scales under their fur or the unnatural ability to squeeze themselves into tight spaces.
I suspect that gnolls are able to do this in large part due to some form of latent magic within themselves - whatever the case is, it is clear that this is an ability that all gnolls are capable of. Further delving into their folklore and history revealed a surprising lack of detail. Some gnolls believe they were created by Fisochol or Rektrine, some believe they were created by Xapt, others believe they are related to Kat-Tsadhi and share common ancestors with them even. There seems to be no specific consensus or folklore about this, which is remarkable to a people to whom so many are a part of, even in Holy Selmat.
Courtship-wise, gnoll customs vary wildly, mostly dependent on where they live and the customs of that land. Indeed, it was difficult for me to track down any widely practiced courtship customs amongst gnolls, as many I spoke to described the customs of the city or country they lived in.
A small village of gnolls in Niv did speak of a practice of grooming one’s partner during a wedding ceremony, with a comb made and given to their partner for the wedding itself. They would speak words of affirmation to one-another, whilst brushing the fur on their back, so as to show their dedication to supporting their partner where their partner may not be able to “reach” themselves, much like the fur on one’s back.
Having children for gnolls is quite common, and it is not so difficult a task on their bodies as it may be for a human or Kaf-Tsadhi, meaning many female gnolls bear more children more frequently. A gravid gnoll may be seen tending to farm fields or working other labor-intensive jobs, up until the day they are to give birth, and there have even been sightings of gravid gnolls heading into battle, as their condition does little to hinder their movements due to their size and strength.
They will generally carry between one (1) and three (3) cubs at a time for seven (7) months, giving birth in secluded and dark areas, to avoid strain on their newborn cubs sensitive eyes, though they are mostly blind otherwise. Cubs are born deaf in addition to being mostly blind, and are fed at the bosom for half a year before they can eat solid food.
Cubs resemble large canine puppies and will not learn to walk upright until they are nearly six or seven years of age, at which point they will slowly learn how to maneuver their feet underneath themselves and balance as bi-pedal peoples. It is apparent, though not particularly important to most gnolls, that a child who learns to walk on two legs sooner will have a less curved spine, and some groups of gnolls live more exclusively on all fours, though this seems as though it might be more of a cultural or religious aspect of very specific communities.
Average litter: 1-3 cubs
Average life-span: 60 years
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