Editing Half-Gnoll (section)

==B&B Half-Gnoll==
The Bastards and Bloodlinds take on the half-gnoll is described as a "broken, hunched, pitiable creature". Most commonly born of rape, even the rare barbarian tribes who are on good terms with gnolls (seeing them as embodiments of hyena totem spirits or death spirits) usually don't treat them well, because their ugly, distorted frames are seen as a sign of divine displeasure.

As a result, half-gnolls are typically abused horribly by both parents. Humans that don't kill them at birth tend to bring them up as taunted, abused, menial servants. Gnolls usually just treat them as any other slave, because they're weaker than gnolls and dumber than humans.

Seriously, when your sourcebook outright states you have "none of the savage yet noble bearing of the half-orc", you got a fucking raw deal.

Half-gnolls get the worst of both parents when it comes to appearance; they're almost completely hairless on the face, chest and stomach, with patches of fur elsewhere, which makes their hyena-like snouts all the more hideous, their tails are naked and ratlike, their clawed hands and feet have even bigger talons than those of a pureblood gnoll's, and they prone to asymmetrical deformities, such as mismatched limb-lengths and hunched backs. This almost random blending of human and gnoll features, combined with deformities, strengthens their patchwork, pathetic appearance.

Although the book certainly doesn't cut them any slack for it, given the circumstances, it's no wonder that half-gnolls learn to rely on trickery and lies, and tend to scorn concepts like mercy and love: after all, they've never received it. Defensive and underhanded by nurture, a lifetime of abuse makes half-gnolls hotheads who constantly boil over with frustration; though a desperate desire to survive makes them seem cowardly to those looking down their noses at them, half-gnolls can be incredibly vicious when they get the upper hand. They relish the equalising power of trickery and poison, and shamelessly utilize it to bring down those who can ordinarily bully them.

For obvious reasons, loyalty isn't a half-gnoll's strong suite. After all, a lifetime of being taught through harsh experience that the only one interested in protecting their skins is themselves doesn't exactly make one a great team player.

The one personality trait half-gnolls have that other races are forced to admit some admiration for is their tenacity. They will '''never''' give up on a goal, no matter the cost. And as they have no sense of pride in themselves due to their abusive histories and frequent self-loathing, they will endure any discomfort or indignity in the process of getting what they want, which more than one warlord or crime-boss has found useful.

Because they like to preserve their own hide, half-gnolls make pretty good archers. For this reason alone, they are natural rangers, combined with subtler knacks for mastering the wild born of bestial ancestry and hidden senses. Of course, the callings of the [[rogue]] and the [[assassin]] are also natural fits for them. They do admire (and fear) the power of mages, but they're not adept in using such power themselves.

::+2 Strength, +2 Constitution, -2 Intelligence, -4 Charisma
::Medium
::Base speed 30 feet
::+1 natural armor
::2 Claw attacks (1d4 slashing damage each)
::Low-light Vision
::Bonus Feat: Iron Will
::Favored Class: [[Ranger]]
::[[Level Adjustment]]: +1