Gnoll

*"I had never seen something move that fast in the snow before. With reckless abandon, it and several of its friends jumped over the frontline into the back of our squadron. With both the might of a giant and speed of a quickling, the gnolls tore down our ranks before we could regroup to engage them. The fight ended before it had even begun.*

*Apparently, they were there to talk. The gnolls had an odd method of communication."*

--Captain Enilla Bersk, Myrstone 32nd Brigade

### Relentless Fighters

Gnolls throughout Mura are known for their ambush tactics and inescapable pincer manuevers. Though they're not especially clever, they have learned by watching and interacting with humanoid battles. These teachings are passed down out of necessity, many tribes raiding caravans and small towns to more easily feed themselves.

With the Lightfall, these acts have all been erased. Even the unruly gnolls must live within the boundaries of cities to survive. However, their primal nature still courses through their veins, and routinely cause trouble for local constables.

### Oppurtunists

Above all else, gnolls wait for the right time to execute whatever they may have planned. Their fervor and savagery in combat lends to the idea that they are monstruous, without resolve or ideals. That is contrary to the case, as even rudimentary plans created by a gnoll requires patience and timing. It's not uncommon for a gnoll to wait days or even weeks to properly align their goals.

### Gnoll Traits

Most all gnolls share some attributes throughout their race, despite their location.

***Ability Score Increase.*** Your Strength score increases by 2.

***Age.*** Gnolls mature remarkably fast for a humanoid race, reaching adulthood in just 5 years. They do not age much past this point until the very end of their lifespan. They live to about 30 years of age on average.

***Alignment.*** Due to their long history and culture of raiding and pillaging, the mannerisms of a monstruous group still carry over half a century later. Because of this, most gnolls are chaotic evil or chaotic neutral, though exceptions exist.

***Size.*** Gnolls tend to tower over other humanoids, averaging between 7 and 8 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

***Speed.*** Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

***Darkvision.*** Trained to ambush and raid in perfect scenarios, you can see in dark conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern colors in darkness, only shades of gray.

***Bite.*** Your teeth are naturally sharp, and you can use them to make unarmed attacks. If you hit with it, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier, instead of the normal bludgeoning damage.

***Languages.*** Your fiendish upbringing lets you speak as demons would. You can speak, read, and write Common, Abyssal, and Gnoll.

***Subrace.*** Regional divisions have long separated gnoll tribes. The two most notable divisions are arctic gnolls and forest gnolls. Choose one of these subraces.

#### Arctic Gnoll

As an arctic gnoll, you're accustomed to the terrible winters of Northern Tundaril and Madaco. Your fur is thick, legs toned to travel quickly through the ice and snow. These gnolls are the most likely to willingly move into the cities.

***Ability Score Increase.*** Your Constitution score increases by 1.

***Fur Coat.*** You are naturally developed to live in cold conditions.

***Sudden Rush.*** You can put all of your energy into a single charge, closing the distance between you and your enemy of choice. Once per short rest, you can increase your base movement speed by 60 feet until the end of your turn. Your movement also does not provoke oppurtunity attacks while using this ability.

#### Forest Gnoll

As a forest gnoll, you have been trained since you were a pup to be a terror on traveling groups. Staging ambushes, you are adept at using a foe's lowered defenses to your advantage. Many forest gnolls, after moving to the Graylight Cities, enlist into armed forces, the only place they feel like they belong.

***Ability Score Increase.*** Your Dexterity score increases by 1.

***Combat Training.*** You gain proficiency in shortbows, longbows, glaives, halberds, and pikes.

***Ambush.*** If you hit with an attack against a target that is surprised, you deal an extra die of weapon damage.