Fiction:The Firmament/Gnoll

"I don't care if people are intimidated by my presence; no, I welcome it fully. It means they'll keep their noses to themselves and let me do what I please."

- Hald-Sleac Kraasteg, gnoll rogue

Gnolls, otherwise known as hyenafolk, are a species of intelligent hyena native to the land of Okran in Dryadala, and serve as the dominant race in that region.

Biology
Gnolls resemble humanoid spotted hyenas, sporting a hunched back and being covered in mangy fur which comes in various shades of brown. Females are universally larger than males in both height and bulk. The average gnoll male is 1.6m, while the females reach 1.8m. They live an average of 50 years.

Certain gnoll births are known to grow larger than their peers, sporting a more musclebound frame. Such individuals are known as flinds, who generally gain positions of prestige among their pack-tribes due to their rarity, natural strength and endurance.

History
The origins of gnollkind are a mystery, with not even the gnolls themselves agreeing on any single theory. There are records of their kind from as early as the Great Eondrassana War, where the ancient elves noted the existence of primitive pack-tribes of humanoid hyenas beyond the Great Sea of Sands. Due to the fractured society of the gnolls, they are not known to have ever existed as an unified people. In the modern day, these pack-tribes fight each other for dominance over Okran, while those who seek better lives tend to migrate away to either Arkhanset, Merovaren or Khalmartis.

Culture
Most gnolls live in tribal pack societies who live pragmatic lives. Gnolls are highly matriarchal and their chieftains are almost always older females who have accomplished great demonstrations of power and intelligence. The race is notorious for its laziness, always looking to exploit those weaker than themselves so they do not have to do the hard work. The average gnoll puts the interests of their pack-tribe beyond their own personal interests, as most gnolls are disturbed by the thought of living alone; those who do are considered freakish by their gnoll peers.

Religion
Gnolls are not particularly religious due to their culture being focused on what is immediately important; worship of deities does not put food on the table. Those who do worship gods tend to favour the more savage and chaotic among them, such as Wulven. The more degenerate pack-tribes fall into worshipping the likes of Varagarash Narahil, Uzgoroth or Kurgram, which more average pack-tribes normally consider abhorrent.

Relations with other races
Most gnolls are considered shady and untrustworthy by others due to their tendency to take what they want through force, leading them to have the reputation of being raiders and thieves. Because of this, most races do not welcome their presence and, at most, tolerate them up to the point they do something which excuses the other races to be rid of them.

Notable gnolls

 * Hald-Sleac Kraasteg - Notorious rogue