Editing Gnolls (section)

== Physiology ==
=== Appearance ===
A Gnoll resembles a large, anthropomorphic hyena.<ref name=":0">[[Chapter 1.13]]</ref> They are the largest bipedal non-monster race native to Izril, and among the largest in the entire world. Only [[Antinium|Soldier Antinium]] and [[Minotaurs]] are directly confirmed as larger.<ref name=":37">[[Chapter 1.26 (Archived)]]</ref><ref name=":19">[[Chapter 3.35]]</ref> Few Gnolls are less than six feet tall,<ref name=":0" /> and the source text has [[Bearclaw|many]] [[Brunkr|examples]] [[Garusa Weatherfur|notably]] [[Bekia|larger]] than that. Based on this, it can be speculated that their racial median is several inches above six feet.
[[File:Mrsha by flauschesoeckchen.PNG|thumb|Gnoll child (Mrsha as imagined by flauschesoeckchen)]]
In addition to their height, Gnolls have a distinct, thickset build.<ref name=":7">[[Chapter 4.08 T]]</ref> Not like the mountains of muscle that are Minotaurs, but they are still ''strong''. Stronger than Humans or Drakes, easily. Most adults can bench press 200 pounds without prior training.<ref>[[Interlude – Lifting Ants]]</ref> Both [[Erin Solstice|Erin]] and [[Ryoka Griffin|Ryoka]] have separately been reminded of bears when considering their build.<ref name=":1">[[Chapter 1.20 (Archived)]]</ref><ref name=":8">[[Chapter 2.08]]</ref> And their hugs are apparently just as crushing.<ref name=":1" /> Erin’s first real conversation with Krshia involves her knees buckling when the Gnoll gives her a friendly clap on the shoulder.<ref name=":1" />

No mention is made of the weight of a typical Gnoll. However, based on the size and build, rough estimates would place them at least around 250 pounds. Or more, depending on the individual. Their fur alone probably adds a solid ten pounds on top of what a comparably built Human might weigh.

There is less sexual dimorphism among Gnolls than there is among Humans.<ref name=":63" /> Both genders reach the same heights and body mass.<ref>[[Chapter 6.57]]</ref> Erin could not initially tell that Krshia was in fact female, and only realized it the second time they met.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Female Gnolls are said to wear breast bands for modesty,<ref name=":4" /> implying that they have Human-like breasts up on their chests, but they may be less well developed and/or been covered by clothing, explaining Erin’s confusion.

Gnoll fur is thick, shaggy, wiry, and scruffy.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":3" /> It comes in a large variety of colors, from black over grey to blond, in all shades of brown, and even reddish-orange tones.<ref name=":7.10 K" /> It can be uniform, or have markings in the form of spots, stripes, or mottling. Very rarely, it might be pure white, but that is an unnatural color and carries a deeply negative significance among Gnolls.<ref name=":21">[[Chapter 3.27 M]]</ref> In spring and fall, Gnolls shed profusely as they change between summer and winter coats.<ref name=":1" />

Gnolls have large, jagged, bone-crushing teeth in the typical hyena fashion.<ref name=":0" /> Their faces feature damp noses<ref>[[Chapter 3.22 L]]</ref> and whiskers.<ref name=":0" /> Gnoll eyes have no whites, just dark pupils and colored cornea.<ref name=":14">[[Chapter 1.34 (Archived)]]</ref> Their highly mobile ears, while often mentioned in relation to body language, are never actually described in detail in the source text. If following the hyena analogy, Gnoll ears could be quite large, round with a slight tip, and furred both inside and out.

Gnoll hands and feet are exclusively referred to as ‘paws’ in the source material, including by Gnolls themselves.<ref name=":3" /> This implies short, stubby digits in lieu of a Human's longer fingers. However, they are said to be reasonably dexterous for what they are.<ref>[[Chapter 6.10]]</ref> Throughout the story, Gnolls are seen using tools, weapons, musical instruments, and other devices made for Humans or Drakes without any apparent disadvantage. Additionally, Gnolls feature large retractable claws on all four paws,<ref name=":3" /> in the typical feline fashion. This is unlike real hyenas, whose claws do not retract.

Gnolls also have bushy tails, which are of significant importance to their body language, together with their ears.<ref name=":15">[[Chapter 2.13]]</ref>

It is said that Gnolls have a certain bestial air around them,<ref name=":12">[[Chapter 1.31 (Archived)]]</ref> and Humans in the story are often very uncomfortable in their presence when not used to dealing with them.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":8" /> The fact that Gnoll smiles are ''very'' toothy<ref name=":38">[[Chapter 1.32 (Archived)]]</ref> even when well-meaning probably doesn’t help...

=== Physical Qualities ===
==== Speech ====
Gnolls have loud, deep voices,<ref name=":0" /> even the females.<ref name=":28">[[Chapter 4.16]]</ref> Their speech is frequently accented by various growling noises,<ref name=":32">[[Chapter 3.36]]</ref> depending on how well a Gnoll speaks Common, and how agitated they are.

==== Senses ====
* '''Smell:'''
Gnolls have an excellent sense of smell.<ref name=":0" /> Much like dogs, they can identify people by scent even before they enter a room,<ref name=":20">[[Chapter 5.06 M]]</ref> determine someone’s emotional state or physical health, tell if they have been in a fight recently,<ref name=":1" /> track by scent, and many other things. The ability of Gnolls to smell blood is a recognized aspect of law enforcement in Drake cities.<ref>[[Chapter 6.58]]</ref> Young Gnolls have the best noses.<ref name=":9" />
* '''Hearing:'''
Gnoll hearing is very acute as well;<ref>[[Chapter 3.38]]</ref> it is roughly four times as good as the average Drake or Human.<ref name=":6" /> Trying to whisper while a Gnoll is nearby is usually doomed to failure, as they will hear you anyway.<ref name=":11" /> Gnolls themselves can whisper among each other, though; it’s just a matter of lowering their voices enough.<ref name=":35">[[Chapter 5.42]]</ref> As is the case with smell, young Gnolls also hear better than adults.<ref>[[Chapter 6.61 L]]</ref>
* '''Sight:'''
Gnolls have very good eyesight and can make out rough details even in pitch-black darkness.<ref>[[Chapter 6.28]]</ref>

==== Lifespan ====
The source material never addresses the aging process or the life expectancy of Gnolls. It is however mentioned that most Gnolls would see the [[Meeting of the Tribes]] three or four times during their lifetime, an event which currently takes place only every twenty years.<ref>[https://wanderinginn.com/2020/11/25/interlude-the-tribes-of-izril/ Interlude - The Tribes of Izril]</ref> This could indicate that a Gnoll's average lifespan is around 60-80 years.

==== Reproduction ====
Gnolls have the standard two mammalian sexes, male and female, and give live birth. No mention is made in the source text about the typical number of children per pregnancy.

Female Gnolls do not menstruate the way humans do.<ref name=":4" /> Instead, once or twice per year, females go into heat (also called estrus). They generally enjoy the experience, much to the envy of a certain innkeeper.<ref name=":4" />

Male Gnolls are equipped similarly to canines, and as a result, a single joining can last up to an hour.<ref name=":13" />

Gnoll children look like vicious puppies,<ref name=":12" /> and typically behave somewhat animal-like.<ref name=":66" /> They start out life as quadrupeds, and are awkward on two legs for many years.<ref name=":9" /> At some point, but no earlier than age seven, each Gnoll child experiences what is known as their 'shifting year', during which their bone structure changes into one optimized for a bipedal lifestyle.<ref name=":70">[[Chapter 7.06]]</ref> For most of their childhood, they remain fairly compact,<ref name=":9" /> until they hit a growth spurt - possibly in conjunction with the 'shifting year'. As teenagers, they already tower over most humans.<ref name=":43">[[Chapter 5.49]]</ref> Females hit puberty sooner than males do.<ref name=":70" />

==== Diet ====
Gnolls are obligate carnivores.<ref name=":6" /> They must consume meat regularly in order to acquire essential nutrients which their bodies cannot produce internally. However, modern Gnolls have adapted to safely eat a wide variety of other foods as well. In the story, they are seen enjoying things like bread,<ref>[[Chapter 1.29 (Archived)]]</ref> cheese and dairy,<ref name=":3" /> pasta,<ref name=":5" /> lettuce and onion,<ref name=":15" /> and many mixed dishes. Chocolate is not a problem either.<ref>[[Interlude – Chocolate Alchemy]]</ref>

Still, Gnollish cuisine remains heavily meat-focused. A popular snack food is specially prepared kind of raw meat.<ref name=":14" /><ref name=":12" /> When cooking, many Gnolls prefer their meat hot, but rare enough to be bloody.<ref name=":15" /> Traditional Gnollish dishes include kebabs,<ref>[[Chapter 3.42]]</ref> marinated beef and vegetables,<ref>[[Chapter 3.37]]</ref> meat-stuffed tortellini,<ref name=":5" /> fish soup with dried beef<ref name=":9" />, meatballs,<ref>[[Chapter 4.19]]</ref> and silkap - a thick paste of rendered fat, pork meat, spices, milk, and onions.<ref name=":6" />

Gnolls like their food strongly flavored,<ref>[[Chapter 3.39]]</ref> but not as spicy-hot as Drakes would prefer.<ref name=":16" /> They also lean towards stronger alcohols<ref name=":30">[[Chapter 2.01]]</ref> - perhaps they simply need more to get drunk, due to their high body mass. Among non-alcoholic beverages, Gnolls favor tea. They have a number of traditional herbal blends, often also quite strongly flavored.<ref name=":6" /> Some of them have interesting beneficial effects, such as acting as a contraceptive.<ref name=":13" />

In contrast to Drakes and Humans, Gnolls are not above eating people.<ref name=":44">[[Chapter 2.18]]</ref><ref name=":17">[[Chapter 2.23]]</ref> Little information is provided about how widespread the practice is, but outside of some especially backwater tribes in the deep south, it appears to be a form of capital punishment. Humans might hang a serious criminal offender; Gnolls might serve them to the offended parties for dinner.<ref name=":17" />

=== Magical Qualities ===
As a tribal culture, Gnolls have access to tribal magic.<ref name=":14" /> This means that a special caster class, a [Shaman], can channel the mana of nearby tribe members to invoke magical effects.<ref name=":6" /> The more tribe members are nearby, the more powerful the [Shaman] becomes. It has been said that Gnolls are apparently very good at tribal magic,<ref name=":45">[[Chapter 2.46]]</ref> perhaps even more so than other tribal cultures.

Classic [Mages] or variations thereof do not currently exist among Gnolls. Wistram, the academy of magic, maintains that this is because the entire race is magic-deficient.<ref name=":14" /> The Gnolls themselves have never accepted this claim, and have sought to prove otherwise<ref name=":39">[[Chapter 2.41]]</ref> - but so far with little success. Any Gnoll who attempts to gain a magic class either becomes a [Shaman], or fails entirely.<ref name=":6" /> This has been going on for at least a few centuries now, and the Gnolls still have no idea why.<ref name=":6" /> But they maintain that, in the past, even Gnoll [Archmages] have existed.<ref name=":6" />

[[Mrsha|Two]] [[Ferkr|Gnolls]] have recently bucked this trend, and managed to obtain a caster class other than [Shaman].<ref name=":20" /><ref name=":63">[[Chapter 6.38]]</ref> Drake Magus [[Grimalkin]] of [[Pallass]] considers the entire affair to be a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy - that Gnolls have stopped being able to become [Mages] only because something or someone convinced them that they couldn't.<ref name=":63" /> [[Teriarch]] also considers it strange that anyone would think or claim that a Gnoll couldn't learn magic.<ref name=":45" /> Still, even Grimalkin admits that there seems to be something odd going on in recent generations with regards to Gnolls accessing their own innate mana reserves, and that it requires an unusually high amount of effort to overcome.<ref>[[Chapter 7.02]]</ref>

However, it is revealed that the Fissival teleportation network was repurposed to suppress the magical potential of all Gnolls. During the recent Meeting of Tribes, a giant magicore crystal was unearthed and smashed by Gaarh Marsh's Earth Elemental, restoring the magic back to the Gnolls.<ref name=":75">[[Chapter 8.42]]</ref> During the Arbitration Council, Chaldion divulges that two Walled Cities and several Gnoll tribes were involved in this conspiracy to suppress Gnollish magic.<ref>[[Chapter 8.49 M]]</ref> As such, any Gnolls who were born too close to one of the network's magicore crystal has had their mana well permanently crippled. 

At the end of Volume 8 this was reversed, with the dead souls of all the Gnoll [Mages], [Archmages], [Archshamans], [Shamans], and more along with several living Gnoll [Shamans] preforming a massive ritual. Granting all Gnolls across the world their magic back. How many can actually use said magic is questionable, but all of Fissival’s teleportation network was destroyed in the rituals apex. Leaving Gnoll magic unable to be harmed for the time being. What this means for the relationship between Gnolls and the Walled Cities is unknown, but thanks to the Terra’s faction. A group of Gnolls was already promised admittance into Wistram.  

=== Special Abilities ===
Gnoll children walk on all fours when they are young,<ref name=":9" /> but eventually graduate to walking on two legs as they get older.<ref name=":70" /> However, even adult Gnolls can still move on all fours if they choose to - and they are actually faster than on two legs that way.<ref name=":10" /> Although few Gnolls ever leave their tribes, and even fewer of them are found in Human cities, Gnoll [Runners] have been mentioned as far north as Invrisil.<ref name=":19" />

=== Weaknesses ===
A Gnoll’s fur makes them susceptible to injury by fire. Erin has gone as far as calling Gnolls “highly flammable”.<ref name=":49">[[Chapter 1.36 (Archived)]]</ref> This quality also makes it rare for Gnolls to engage in metalworking and smithing, as they tend to get burned frequently in the process.<ref name=":6" />

But this doesn’t mean that Gnolls are lacking in metal working knowledge. Both the Steelfur Tribe and Demas Metal Tribe are known to be experienced in the art of working with metal.

Though the Steelfur Tribe mainly works on the crafting of their Steelfur into armor.

Loud noises and terrible smells affect a Gnoll more than non-Gnolls. To the point that it’s easy for them to become debilitated by them.