Editing Gnolls (section)

=== Personality ===
Gnolls in general are wilder, more primal, more attuned to survival, less used to living in safe environments (like cities) than other races.<ref name=":3" /> This reflects in their habits and mannerisms, making them attentive, guarded, methodic, and distrustful of strangers.<ref name=":0" /> They are considered prideful,<ref name=":62">[[Chapter 1.12]]</ref> and as a result, can be touchy<ref name=":12" /> and stubborn<ref name=":53">[[Chapter 5.16 S]]</ref> when approached the wrong way. However, in contrast to Drakes, this pride is less about race-wide patriotism and more about the individual’s integrity and worth. Gnolls also lack the short fuse and inherent belligerence of the Drakes,<ref name=":50" /> and are often seen reacting to and addressing issues in a methodical and organized manner.<ref name=":33" /> Next to a Drake, they might be seen as a voice of reason - perhaps this is why [[Olesm Swifttail|Olesm]] once bemoaned the lack of Gnolls in Liscor’s ruling council.<ref name=":18" /> But once railed, their temperament is no less intense, and they keep grudges for their entire lives if they are not settled.<ref name=":22" />

Gnolls are pragmatic and grounded, and look at what is, not what could be.<ref name=":43" /> It’s deeply ingrained into their way of life, and is an anchor to cling to when facing despair.<ref name=":49" /> Their pragmatism trumps even things like prejudice; Gnolls do not see race as much as others might when it comes to making friends.<ref name=":1" /> After all, a single decent person should not be blamed for the past failings of their people as a whole.<ref name=":18" />

Gnolls are generally straightforward with their words and actions, and don’t beat around the bush<ref name=":0" />. Being blunt with them can be the right approach in many cases.<ref name=":33" /> When a Gnoll is not being direct, they may not be speaking freely, or may be trying to hide something.<ref name=":41" />

Towards strangers, a tribal Gnoll tends to be taciturn, curt, and closed off.<ref name=":51" /> This goes double when a higher-ranking member of the tribe is present; then most Gnolls will leave all talking to them and not say anything at all. In contrast to Dullahans,<ref name=":50" /> though, Gnolls have no inherent trouble addressing strangers when it suits them. For example, if a Gnoll hopes to sell you something, or if they think there is some other form of worth in knowing you (see Merit, Worth, Leadership, below), they can be quite welcoming all of a sudden.<ref name=":1" />

Among good friends or members of their tribe, a happy Gnoll is a gregarious, boisterous creature, who will express themselves loudly and physically,<ref name=":9" /> freely dispensing friendly pats, pokes, hugs, and slaps that make smaller races wince.<ref name=":1" /> When a Gnoll is sad, they’ll rarely cry; their grief is quiet, private, and turned inwards.<ref name=":17" /> An annoyed Gnoll has urges to smack the other party around a bit,<ref name=":3" /> kick some shins, pull some ears, or other such things - and frequently acts on them.<ref name=":6" /> A properly angry Gnoll, by contrast, keeps themselves tightly in check. At that point, the tension is too high for mere smacking,<ref name=":41" /> and any physical altercation is likely to get violent in a hurry. This trend continues to its logical extreme: a silently seething, perfectly still Gnoll is the worst news of all.<ref name=":17" />

Gnolls are pack creatures,<ref>[[Chapter 5.48 G]]</ref> and having a pecking order comes natural to them. As a result, they are very conscious about figures of authority,<ref name=":18" /> and offer adequate formal deference as a matter of course where appropriate. However, they are not hung up on specific ranks and titles like Drakes are. It’s all about the difference in personal influence between two people - and Gnolls quickly drop all semblance of formality around those they consider their equal, even in nominally formal settings.<ref name=":28" />

More than anything else, however, Gnolls are ''focused'' and ''serious''. When they’re doing something, they give it their full and undivided attention, sometimes to the point of severity. Their task is serious business. Their tribe is serious business. Their vocation is serious business. Their grudges are serious business. Their history is serious business.<ref name=":6" /> Ball games are serious business.<ref name=":31" /> Even their dating is serious business.<ref name=":54">[[Chapter 4.40 L]]</ref> That’s not to say they cannot enjoy themselves, or have a sense of humor; it just means that a Gnoll does not mess about. A Gnoll ''commits''. Their personal pride and sense of duty will not allow anything less. In the entire source text, there is not a single lazy or frivolous Gnoll to be found anywhere, unless you count the youngest children. Even the corrupt Gnoll senator in Pallas pursues his path with dedication, putting himself forward as the speaker for the assembly whenever he can.<ref name=":52" />