Editing Gnolls (section)

=== Trade, Debt, Guilt ===
Fair exchanges are a cornerstone of Gnoll culture. “Everything is give and take”, in Krshia’s words.<ref name=":3" /> A favor rendered should be repaid in kind. A request should be made in tandem with an offer of recompense. Intentionally cheating another party in barter for goods, services or favors is frowned upon - it is a violation of the bonds of kinship. Polite little untruths, too, are considered a Human oddity, and not something a Gnoll would speak.<ref name=":14" /> Not that Gnolls are not capable of straight-faced lying when it suits their goals, of course,<ref name=":3" /> but those are carefully considered.

Because of this cultural honesty, Gnoll crafters and traders have a reputation of being straightforward and trustworthy.<ref name=":38" /> And indeed, there are many famous Gnoll merchants and traders<ref name=":22" /> - it’s one of the few ways in which the more reclusive tribes openly interact with the rest of the world. Tribes often settle near natural resources to exploit them; for example, the [[Stone Spears Tribe|Stone Spears tribe]] was engaged in gemstone mining.<ref name=":9" /> It can be speculated that the Gnolls produce, move, and trade a lot of the raw materials that come out of southern Izril.

Mercantile habits and terminology appear in Gnollish day-to-day life. They teach math via coin changing,<ref name=":20" /> and use expressions like “counting your coins” instead of “counting your chickens”.<ref name=":6" />

When an exchange cannot be immediately made fair - for instance because one party cannot repay a favor rendered at that moment - then debt is accrued. Gnolls take debts ''very'' seriously, and will constantly look for ways to get even.<ref name=":39" /> If a Gnoll owes you a debt, you can be certain that they will be a loyal ally, even if you are an outsider.<ref name=":39" /> On the flipside, if you owe a debt to a Gnoll, then the same expectation is placed upon you.<ref name=":41" /> Debts must be honored. And a debt can be a great many things.

In their exchange-oriented cultural thinking, the concepts of ‘debt’ and ‘guilt’ are at least very closely related -  or might in fact be considered the same thing.<ref name=":41" /> Gnolls are normally very systematic and rational in how they judge guilt and responsibility.<ref name=":37" /> However, if debt and guilt are roughly the same thing, and debt is transferable, then so is guilt.<ref name=":41" /> Preventing what a Gnoll considers justice not only annoys said Gnoll - it will literally mean that the unpaid debt is now on your shoulders, and yours to pay off.<ref name=":41" /> Gnolls take debts very seriously, and will constantly look for ways to get even. This can extend all the way to “blood for blood” revenge.<ref name=":42" /> Don’t think about waiting it out, either, because Gnolls can keep grudges for as long as they live.<ref name=":22" />

Payment for a debt doesn’t necessarily have to be money, nor does it have to be the same thing that caused the debt - although a life for a life, and other such things, is definitely an acceptable option.<ref name=":17" /> But while fair, it is not the optimal outcome, since it doesn’t restore what was lost. It just causes equal loss to the other party. Whenever possible, what the Gnolls are really looking for is, again, worth.<ref name=":41" /> A debt can be paid with anything of sufficient worth, even the kinds of debt that are actually serious guilt. All it takes is enough worth to weigh up against the guilt. The Gnolls do not shy away from comparing the value of people’s lives to the value of secrets and material wealth.<ref name=":25" />