Editing Setting:Unified Setting/Religion (section)

===Gnolls===
{{Main|Setting:Unified Setting/Gnolls}}
Gnolls are commonly believed to be too lazy and bestial to develop something as abstract as a religion. Like most commonly held beliefs this is utterly wrong. Not only do gnolls have an animistic faith, their shamans hold power and status equal to the tribal chief (also known as warleader).

This is even more surprising when you consider gnoll society. Unlike other races the females are larger and stronger than the males, creating a matriarchy. Males can never become warleaders or rise to any position of power in a tribe, unless they are shamans. Males who demonstrate their power can be readily promoted to the position of shaman and can contradict and command females without fear of retribution. While studies of the gnoll people are understandably limited, it is estimated that as many as 25 percent of shamans are male.

An additional surprise is the primary god in the gnoll pantheon. Like most animistic religions they recognize the Higher Gods even if they don't worship them exclusively. Unlike most other religions though they attribute their creator not to the sun-god, but to the moon-god who they believe is greater in power than the traditional choice. The gnoll creation myth is quite complicated, but involves the weak, male sun-god creating the other races while the female moon-god was occupied. Upon returning to the world she created the gnolls to harry and prey upon the lesser races as an amusing punishment for his dabbling. The gnolls believe the moon is supreme as it can be seen during the day, while the sun is never visible during the night.

The few naturalists who study gnolls (a hardy bunch to be sure) don't find this surprising at all. Gnolls live in a hostile environment and can't afford to waste shamanic talent because of gender. Gnolls are also nocturnal and more likely to identify with a moon god. This is the sort of talk that makes the [[Setting:Unified Setting/Solaris#Aurel|Aurelian]] Commission for the Prevention of Moral Decay wonder if naturalists are lacking in piety.