Gnoll, Mountain Variant (3.5e Race)

Mountain Gnolls (Brood of Yeenoghu)

The Gnolls of the plains and forests are known to worship a Demon Prince named Yeenoghu. Those same Gnolls tell tales of his children roaming the mountains and roaming old Dwarven strongholds. This sub-species known to rest as the Brood of Yeenoghu are usually feared or even worshipped by the rest of their kind based on their appearance alone.

Personality

Mountain Gnolls stick together in tightly knit clan groups. These clans are usually based on the color of their fur and one other distinguishing feature such as teeth, eye, or claw color.

Physical Description

This breed of Gnoll is typically taller than average. They range anywhere between 7 and a half to 8 and a half feet tall. (Thus allowing them to be medium or large creatures depending.) The Mountain Gnolls closely resemble the description of Yeenoghu himself, being very gaunt though most of their body is dense muscle. Typically their fur is of darker shades as well.

Relations

Mountain Gnolls typically stay to their own clans. They have been known to leave the mountains in small groups or even travel alone if their clan is gone. Being heavily clan based, these Gnolls typically don't get along with other clans than their own. On occasion, several clans that live on the same mountain or cave system may form an alliance, but usually only do so if there is a common and greater threat. Clans are also less likely to get along the further apart they are due to the unfamiliarity of them.

When it comes to other races, however, these Gnolls are almost neutral with everything other than Dwarves. Dwarves in turn tend to despise Mountain Gnolls for their use of old Dwarven strongholds.

Also as stated earlier, Mountain Gnolls are usually either feared or worshipped by the Gnolls of the forests and plains. Based on their appearance alone and the typical size of Mountain Gnolls, they are thought of to be direct descendants of Yeenoghu and are called as such by a typical Gnoll. No other race, not even the Mountain Gnolls themselves call themselves "Brood of Yeenoghu".

The one race that Mountain Gnolls get along with especially well is Dragons, oddly enough. They have little care in the world for valuable gold and trinkets. In fact, they use them for the same purposes as dragons and use them to decorate their lairs. As long as the dragon doesn't mind living with others and sharing a meal, the two races both have common goals and benefit from each other greatly.

Alignment

Unlike regular Gnolls, this variation is usually Chaotic Neutral and not inherently evil. While they resemble the Demon Prince, Yeenoghu, they actually hold no relation to him at all.

Lands

As the name implies, these Gnolls live in the mountains. As a clan develops into several families the Gnolls either build a stronghold for themselves or when they can and at any chance will steal a Dwarven-made stronghold. Because of the similar habitats and lifestyles the two races clash constantly.

Religion

Mountain Gnolls do not have a set religious practice. They worship various Deities based on clan.

Language

Automatic Languages: Gnoll. Bonus Languages: Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Goblin, Orc.

Names

Names are generally an almost growl-like sound such as Myrrl, Grawlsh, Vrylah, etc. Surnames are always the name of the clan they belong to. Mountain Gnolls never under any circumstance change or "remove" their clan name. Mountain Gnolls are never exiled, but instead are killed ritualistically if found guilty of a heinous crime against their own clan.

Racial Traits

• +2 Strength, +4 Constitution, -2 Wisdom, +2 Dexterity
• Racial Features: A Mountain Gnoll begins with two levels of humanoid, which provide 2d8 Hit Dice, a base attack bonus of +1, a natural armor bonus of +1, and base saving throw bonuses of Fort +2, Ref +1, and Will +0.
• Racial Skills: A Mountain Gnoll’s humanoid levels give it skill points equal to 4 x (2 + Int modifier). Its class skills are Listen, Hide, Move Silently, Intimidate and Spot.
• Mountain Gnolls base land speed is 30 feet.
• Darkvision out to 80 feet.
• Step through the Shadows (Ex): Once every 1d4 turns, a Mountain Gnoll can take up to 10 feet off it's base land speed to, in a sense, blink that amount of distance in any direction in their line of sight. They can use this ability to pop up behind an enemy for example, but the ability cannot be used to 'teleport' through solid walls or objects they couldn't otherwise easily walk around to. (No blinking through a cave-in for example, but the Gnoll could blink behind a large pillar that they could otherwise take an extra minute to walk around.) This ability does not evoke an attack of opportunity, but it does give the opportunity for the gnoll to hit the enemy for a bonus 1d6 damage if they blink out of the enemy's line of sight. (Behind a human for example. If the enemy can see behind them then this ability would not allow bonus damage.)
• Automatic Languages: Gnoll. Bonus Languages: Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Goblin, Orc.
• Favored Class: Rogue.
• Level Adjustment: +2

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