Page 33 - Ultimate-Bestiary-Revenge-of-the-Horde-5E

Gutter Gnolls this, rather than any level of self-control, which allows them to
exist amongst more civilized races. A plains gnoll, nding itself
Gutter gnolls once inhabited the mountains, canyons and badlands surrounded by townspeople, would embark on a rampaging killing
of the world. However, over time, they have been driven out (from spree until it was nally brought down, but gutter gnolls’ natural
the former by the stealthier and more intelligent rock gnolls, and caution allows them to eke out a living on scraps, carrion, and
from the latter by the more powerful plains gnolls), and now they those who fall through the cracks.
exist almost solely as parasites on larger civilized communities.
Although only slightly smaller than plains gnolls in height, gutter Environment
gnolls are much more lightly built. eir pelts are long and shaggy
and, consequently, are generally matted with all manner of stinking Gutter gnolls are most likely to be found on the fringes of
lth; as the old dwarven saying goes, “If you smell a sewer in the civilization, with larger settlements o en containing a handful
mountains, walk the other way.” of menacing sewers and communal middens which may be
utilized by local thugs as a ‘waste disposal service’. A tell-tale sign
As a quirk of their urban habitat, it is not uncommon to see that gutter gnolls have claimed an area is their habit of caching
gutter gnolls dressed in the ruined remains of discarded nery; ‘food’ (anything from rotting o al to discarded leather) for later
sporting moldering and lthy silk shirts, rotting doublets and, consumption. It is common for folk of the settlement to have never
in one recorded instance, what was thought to have once been a seen a gutter gnoll, but they make their presence felt – they will
ball gown, complete with crinoline, all haphazardly forced over usually keep their diet to rats and a few stray dogs where possible,
whichever body parts will t in them. but it is only a matter of time before a laborer needs to maintain
the sewers, a vagrant chooses the wrong alley to bed down for the
Culture night, or a child slips into a grate, and is never seen again.
Gutter gnolls travel in groups usually numbering in single digits, Within their territory, the clan will have a main den; this is an
but occasionally up to een or so, led by a dominant pair. At area large enough to t the entire clan (gutter gnolls have few
the age of ve, young males will leave their clan and, unless they personal boundaries), but small enough to be easily defended.
happen to inhabit a huge city capable of supporting multiple gnoll is area is easily identi ed as it contains all of the clan’s ‘treasures’
clans, undertake a dangerous journey to another settlement. ese strewn among bits and pieces of cloth, furnishings, and other piled
gnolls o en trail or stow away on trade caravans for at least part of detritus, horribly stained, damp, and covered in matted, loose hair.
their journey, as they know that these typically only travel between
places large enough to support a population of gutter gnolls to join. Roleplaying Gutter Gnolls
Gutter gnolls are cowards and will only attack where they have Gutter gnolls are more driven by their animal nature than other
a clear upper hand and little risk of su ering retribution. It is types and, like animals, are easily bribed with food. Most will have
a basic grasp of the dominant language of the settlement they
a basic grasp of the dominant language of the settlement they
inhabit, o en corrupting it with elements of Gnoll to form a simple
inhabit, o en corrupting it with elements of Gnoll to form a simple
pidgin language, which they will mostly use to communicate with
pidgin language, which they will mostly use to communicate with
criminal elements.
criminal elements.
Most people, if they are aware of the gnoll population
Most people, if they are aware of the gnoll population
at all, see them as little more than feral animals,
at all, see them as little more than feral animals,
so tend to talk candidly in front of them. is,
so tend to talk candidly in front of them. is,
and their easily cowed nature, makes them a
and their easily cowed nature, makes them a
potentially valuable resource should any
potentially valuable resource should any
law enforcement be desperate for
law enforcement be desperate for
information about criminal doings.
information about criminal doings.
Should they underestimate
Should they underestimate
the gnolls as well, they
the gnolls as well, they
may pay for said
may pay for said
information dearly.
information dearly.

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Chapter 2: GnollsChapter 2: Gnolls