Page 41 - Ultimate-Bestiary-Revenge-of-the-Horde-5E
P. 41

R
          Rock Gnollsock Gnolls
          Small and stocky (as far as gnolls go), rock gnolls average at mall and stocky (as far as gnolls go), rock gnolls average at
          S
          a around the same size as a well-muscled human. Of all gnolls, they round the same size as a well-muscled human. Of all gnolls, they
          have the most impressive manes, which can deceive observers   Environment nvironment
          have the most impressive manes, which can deceive observers
                                                                E
          into thinking them larger than they truly are. While rock gnolls
          into thinking them larger than they truly are. While rock gnolls
                                                                A
          are certainly the least threatening variety on their own merits, the
          are certainly the least threatening variety on their own merits, the   As the name suggests, rock s the name suggests, rock
                                                                g
          creeping in  uence of the caves below means they are also the most
          creeping in  uence of the caves below means they are also the most   gnolls are o  en encountered nolls are o  en encountered
                                                                in m
          likely to exhibit vampirism, demonic possession, or otherworldly   in mountainous areas, canyons and caves, ountainous areas, canyons and caves,
          corruption, so seasoned travelers know not to take their smaller   anywhere where their greyish hides help them blend in, and
          stature at face value.                                there are plenty of crags and overhangs to provide cover from
                                                                searching eyes.
          Culture                                               Industrious by gnoll standards, rock gnolls construct crude
          As the smallest species, rock gnolls rely on stealth and cunning   dwellings from piled stone, and some clans are able to scavenge
          more than brute strength.    ey rarely form groups of more   enough wood for roofs or cages as temporary housing for slaves
          than twenty, allowing them to conceal their movements more   before they are traded on.    e readiest source of wood for
          easily.    ey inhabit caves during the day and foray out only   most clans comes in the form of passing caravans, so it is not
          under the cover of night. When le   to their own devices, rock   uncommon for a merchant or caravan guard to   nd themselves
          gnolls congregate in loose bands, o  en consisting of a single   imprisoned in the remains of their own wagon before being sold
          extended family. In  ghting is rarer than in other gnoll clans,   o   to some denizen of the deep caves.
          so rock gnolls tend to live longer - sometimes up to forty years.
          Skirting the shallows of the deep below, however, o  en brings   Roleplaying Rock Gnolls
          them into contact with far more powerful entities, and it is not   Rock gnolls are the most likely to cooperate with other races, as
          uncommon to   nd large number of rock gnolls under the thrall of   trade makes up a good part of their means of survival. Common
          a subterranean warlord.                               and Undercommon are fairly likely to be spoken, but some clans
          Rock gnolls are the most likely to take victims alive for two   might also pick up scraps of Dwarven and Elvish dependent on
          reasons. Firstly, their environment is the least bountiful of all the   who lives in the area to trade. Rock gnolls are also the least likely
          gnolls, so many clans keep a “larder” of fresh meat when times are   to   ght to the death, possessing neither the brutish savagery of
          good to prepare for leaner times ahead. Secondly, their ties to the   plains gnolls or the feral nature of gutter gnolls. Given their usual
          underground races make them an ideal link to the surface, and   interactions, a surrendering rock gnoll expects to be taken into
          the demand for slaves below is constant. Rock gnolls are generally   slavery, a fate it may later escape if it can utilize its cunning.
          willing to trade their stock for supplies (assuming the interested
          party proves su   ciently strong that the gnolls could not simply
          take them by force), and are particularly amenable to o  ers of
          alcohol, which they have neither the ingredients nor the skills to
          make themselves.





      40
        Chapter 2: Gnolls
   36   37   38   39   40   41   42   43   44   45   46