Gnoll Heroes

	Gnolls Gnolls have not been popular subjects in the DRAGONLANCE Saga. Whereas goblins, kender, elves, and ogres have taken the spotlight more than once, gnolls have been mostly ignored. However, the Fifth Age is a new era in the DRAGONLANCE Saga. Centaurs, a race never before officially presented as a Hero Race for the DRAGONLANCE Saga, have even been upgraded for the Fifth Age. Therefore, gnolls should also be elevated in status. Gnolls were created by the Graygem along with the various other "hostile inhumans," such as goblins, sligs, and minotaurs. They wander throughout the plains of Ansalon in nomadic packs, not unlike plainsmen. Usually, gnolls rely on a pack mentality and use strength in numbers in order to fight. Gnolls are fierce and competitive. They tend to be isolationists when around non-gnolls, but they have been known to form bonds between a select few. Gnolls will lie, cheat, steal, and flatter, but they have battle honor. While seemingly not as intelligent as other races, they make up for it in ferociousness. With the release of The Silver Stair by Jean Rabe, gnolls have entered the spotlight. Orvago, the gnoll of the story who aids Goldmoon on her quest to found the Citadel of Light, plays a crucial role in the novel. Description Gnolls resemble a cross between a man and a hyena. A dog-like muzzle dominates a gnolls's face and greenish gray fur covers a gnoll's body. Gnolls typically stand between seven and eight feet tall with eyes ranging from black to brown in color. Gnolls stand erect on two legs and sport claws that can manipulate objects as well as any human. Role-Playing Gnolls tend to be overly aggressive and seemingly barbaric. Simple in the eyes of humans, gnolls are extremely cunning and make deadly enemies. Many gnolls display a tendency towards cowardice and evil, but like any race, gnolls are capable of honor and decency. The civilized world scares most gnolls that see it for the first time, and many gnolls find the smooth plains more comfoting than the busy city life. Requirements Gnolls live a rugged, harsh life. To reflect this, they need a minimum of 5 in all Physical scores. Gnolls are not known for their high intelligence, so gnoll heroes have a maximum Reason score of 6. Gnolls are untrained in the various weapons of the civilized world, so a gnoll may not have code higher than "C" in any Physical ability except one. This one Physical ability has a maximum code of "B." Gnolls are also untrained in the sorcerous arts, so a gnolls have a maximum Reason and Spirit code of "B." Advantages Gnolls are expert trackers. Any tracking action warrent an automatic trump bonus no matter what the suit of the action card is. Gnolls are also ferocious fighters and have many natural weapons. Gnolls may fight with their claws, which do +4 damage. Gnolls also have a natural armor that gives them a Defense rating of -3. This Defense rating is nullified if the gnoll wears armor. Gnolls are such ferocious fighters that when a gnoll attacks with its natural weapons, their claws, the action warrents a trump bonus no matter what the suit of the action card is. Disadvantages Because of their fierce reputation, gnolls never enjoy company with non-gnolls. As a result, a Presence actions with non-gnolls never receive a trump bonus. Also, gnolls have an ingrained fear of sorcery. Resisting sorcery is one degree harder for a gnoll hero.