WikiFur - User contributions [en]

Gryphon

2006-05-08T09:57:23Z

Drhoz:

A '''Gryphon''' (also known as '''Gryffin,''' '''Gryphen,''' '''Griffon,''' or '''Gryphin''') is a [[Wikipedia:Legendary_creature|mythical creature]]. Traditionally, it is a [[quadruped]]al combination of an [[eagle]] and a [[lion]]. However, many different [[bird]]-[[mammal]] combinations are recognised in the [[Furry fandom]], as well as more unusual variations.

==Anatomy==

A typical gryphon has the head, fore half, front legs, and wings of a bird, and the hind legs and rear half of a mammal. The wings are attached at the shoulders, and typically fold against the gryphon's back or sides when not in use. The avian and mammalian parts are scaled to compatible proportions.

Gryphons, being winged, are generally assumed to be capable of flight.

Gryphon tails often lie on the boundary between bird and mammal, and are subject to interpretation. Different variations include:

* Fully mammalian tail
* Mammalian-avian hybrid tail (generally a mammalian tail ending in a fan of feathers)
* Two tails, avian and mammalian

==See also==
*[[Gryphon's Guild]]
*[[:Category:Gryphon characters]]

==External links==
*[http://www.gryphonpages.com The Gryphon Pages - all that you ever wanted to know about gryphons and didn't know you needed to ask!]
*[http://www.fanarchive.net/miavir/stories/key.griffin.html "Griffin" at Miavir's]
*[http://gryphguild.org The Gryphon's Guild -- The gathering place on the net for Gryph fans!]

[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons creatures]]
[[Category:Fictional species]]

Phoenix (mythology)

2006-05-08T09:56:50Z

Drhoz:

A '''phoenix''' is a mythical [[bird]]. Its most noteworthy characteristic is that at the end of its lifecycle, it erupts in flame and burns to ashes, from which a new young phoenix arises. As such, it is often regarded as a symbol of resurrection or of rebirth. A well-known example from modern literature is ''Fawkes'', the phoenix belonging to Albus Dumbledore in the ''[[Wikipedia:Harry Potter|Harry Potter]]'' books.

:''For a more complete description and background, see [[Wikipedia:Phoenix]]''.
:''For information about the city of the same name, see [[Wikipedia:Phoenix, Arizona]]''.

{{species-stub}}

[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons creatures]]
[[Category:Fictional species]]

Dragon

2006-05-08T09:56:28Z

Drhoz:

[[image:Autumn_slice_00.jpg|frame|top|<center>From the painting [[Media:autumn_dragons.jpg|Autumn Dragons]] by [[User:ToyDragon|ToyDragon]]</center>]]
'''Dragons''' are as wide and diverse a mythological [[species]] as one could ask for; rich in lore, appearance, form, color and nature. Though not all dragons have scales or are even entirely reptilian, they are generally classified as [[scalie]] or [[herp]] within the [[furry fandom]]. With such diversity and adaptability to [[anthropomorphic]] characterization, the dragon has become one of the more popular choices as a fantasy avatar.

<div style="clear:both;" />

== Non-anthro dragons ==

Full-form, non-anthro dragons come in many shapes and sizes representing their origins from around the world.

* Western Dragons are usually large, leathery-winged, quasi-reptilian or saurian beings. In modern fiction they are sometimes warm-blooded, and reflect influences from contemporary knowledge of [[Wikipedia:Dinosaurs|dinosaurs]]. Most have scales and some lay eggs. Variations include but are not limited to:
** Feathered wings
** Fur coat or manes
** Un-scaled hides
* Eastern Dragons are generally long, sinuous, fur-bearing dragons without wings. Often, they have horns or antlers, and are the type depicted in Chinese or Japanese traditional art.
* Rare or Atypical Dragons such as Amphipteres or Wyverns - the moniker "Dragon" is applied to a staggeringly large number of creatures, some of which have very little to do with each other.
* Non-traditional or less common permutations, such as Fairy Dragons or even artificial and symbolic creatures - postmodern fantasy and science-fiction has portrayed the dragon as everything from a psychological [[Wikipedia:Meme|meme]] to [[Wikipedia:Steampunk|steampunk]] robots.

[[image:Autumn_slice_01.jpg|center]]

Character-oriented genres like Furry tend to portray non-anthro dragons with additional capabilities and tweaks to make them more accessible as a sentient character who might display human-like behavior. The capacity for human speech is common. It is also not uncommon to see dragons with dexterous, tool-using forefeet. One can find crossovers with dragon-like qualities in species concepts like the [[monoceros]].

== Anthro-Dragons / Dragonoids / Draconoids / Draconids ==
[[image:Autumn_slice_02.jpg|right|frame|... or reflections of different realities.]]

Similar to their full-form cousins, but [[humanoid]] or [[bipedal]]. [[Furry]] fantasy characterizations of this style of dragon may freely combine highly interpretive elements:
* They may or may not have wings. Wings may not be functional for flying, or may be only for gliding.
* Feminine forms (be they female, [[herm]], or otherwise) frequently show mammalian traits such as breasts. Such a character might still be defined as a reptile, or might be conceived more as a mammal with draconic features.
* Legs are often [[digitigrade]], but may be [[plantigrade]].
* Body hair and/or fur is common. It sometimes may be presented as birdlike proto-plumage or down.

In fiction, myth and [[back story|character back stories]], non-humanoid and humanoid dragons are sometimes two aspects or variations of the same species. It is not uncommon for non-anthro dragons to possess the ability of [[shapeshifting]] in order to assume a humanoid form. Or they could be presented as examples of parallel evolution...
<div style="clear:both;" />

Known [[furry]] examples of anthro-dragons include [[Brian_Harp|Brian Harp's]] Dz'isu, [[AraKaraath]] from his comic ''[[In A Perfect World]]'' and [[Phantomgraph]]'s Dracine.

== Draconic Character Traits ==

Dragons typically have many character traits ascribed to them. Due to the wide range of mythology and differing perceptions of their personality, there is no definitive guide to draconic characterization. Some classical and popular traits are:

* Hoarding valuable items. Traditionally seen as greed, but sometimes as protection of rarities or items which are valuable in more ways than material riches.
* In Asian mythology, an appreciation for fine foods and tea, culture, traditions, and rituals. As a side note, many Furries who play dragons also seem to have a preference for tea, regardless of their character's mythological background.
* Arrogance, selfishness and a sense of superiority and/or invulnerability.
* Vanity and great attention to appearances, though not necessarily physical.
* Defensive and territorial, preferring the company of other creatures to another dragon.
* A "breath weapon" of some kind, often visualized as the natural or mystical ability to exhale fire. There are many variations, ranging from icy breath to poisonous clouds. It has been suggested that this originates from the Christian idea that dragons (as "serpents" or "wyrms/worms") embody the tempting serpent of Hell, and thus their bellies are gates linked to Hell; whenever the dragon opens this gate, then, hellfire will belch out. However, such portrayal can also be considered a derogatory stereotype.
* Deference and even voluntary servitude to great wisdom, purity, power, or beauty.
* Curiosity about smaller, more delicate creatures such as men, to the point of obsession.
* Great cycles of sleep and regeneration, where a dragon might vanish for weeks, months, or years to slumber or hibernate.
* In the oriental context, a dragon is often seen as a messenger of divine powers or enforcer of the law of the gods.
* Mastery of arcane knowledge, such as alchemy and forms of sorcery or magical lore.

One trait many also conceptualize dragons with is referred to as the "pounce or ponder" instinct. A dragon tends to either make a snap decision - or else spend hours, days, or even years laboring over an idea, with little middle ground between the extremes.

==Dragons Today==
[[image:Autumn_slice_03.jpg|none]]

Dragons have occasionally taken on a more humanistic sensibility in modern fiction. Anne McCaffrey's [[Wikipedia:Category:Dragonriders of Pern|Dragonriders of Pern]] saga is thought to be the beginning of the modern reconceptualization of the dragon. Particularly within [[Wikipedia:Comics|comic books]], [[Wikipedia:Anime|anime]], [[Wikipedia:Manga|manga]] and [[furry fandom]], the dragon as a [[character]] or a personal avatar is often employed to add some draconic qualities onto a more human oriented foundation. Dragon characters commonly take on a more benign, playful, and warm persona.
<div style="clear:both;" />
[[image:Autumn_slice_04.jpg|right]]
* Non-anthropomorphic dragons are frequently direct allies of heroes and villains, and often serve as their protectors, companions or partners.
* ''[[In A Perfect World]]'', the comic strip by [[AraKaraath]], shows dragons as notorious for harassing postal carriers. Common traits include a love of shiny objects, the ability to "lounge" almost anywhere, and a tendency to take a very long view of things.
* Dragon characters are often crafted for appealing or exciting appearances as much as traditional mythological qualities, and combined with present day or science fiction settings in addition to traditional fantasy. Here, the dragon's traditional qualities are interpreted in a new context - for example, dragons might be masters of high technology rather than magic, or intellectuals rather than wizards.
* Dragons which have metaphysical elements may employ more modern ideas such as psionic abilities.
* The dragon might embody many traditional aspects, but for new purposes, such as humor. A good example of a traditional yet humorous and contemporary dragon is [[Llewellyn]], from [[D.C. Simpson]]'s comic strip [[Ozy and Millie]].

<div style="clear:both;" />

== Multiplayer worlds ==

Dragon species have been prominent in a number of multiplayer worlds, including [[Alfandria]], [[Dragon's Shadow MUCK]], [[Loneport MUSH]], and [[Ryksyll MOO]].

== See also ==

* [[Wikipedia:Dragons|Dragons]] at Wikipedia

[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons creatures]]
[[Category:Fictional species]]
{{Featured article}}

Wemic

2006-05-08T09:53:40Z

Drhoz:

A '''wemic''' (or '''liontaur''') is a fantastical creature found in [[role-playing game]]s (such as [[Dungeons & Dragons]]) and some modern fantasy literature. They are occasionally the subject of [[furry fandom|furry]] art. Wemics have a [[humanoid]] torso, the head of a [[human]] or [[lion]], and the body, legs, and tail of a [[lion]]. Thus, they resemble [[Wikipedia:Centaur (Dungeons & Dragons)|centaurs]] but with lion parts in the place of horse parts. They are a type of [[taur]] and also a type of [[felitaur]].

[[Image:wemicarcher.jpg|right|thumb|Wemic Archer from the ''Aurastorm'' setting.]]

==Leotaurs in Folklore==

The lion-centaur appeared briefly in ancient Assyrian art during the Middle Assyrian period. Known as the '''urmahlullu''', the Assyrian lion-centaur was a creature that protected washrooms, possibly from the evil demon Sulak, who resembled a mundane lion – according to "Mesopotamian Protective Spirits" by F. A. M. Wiggermann.

A similar but very rare animal in European [[Wikipedia:heraldry|heraldry]] is the '''sagittary''' - a half man half lion figure similar to those used to depict the star sign Sagittarius, the man half with a drawn bow. It features as the personal heraldry of [[Wikipedia:King_Stephen|King Stephen of England]]

[[Image:sagittary.jpg|right|thumb|Sagittary - Heraldic Emblem of [[Wikipedia:King_Stephen|King Stephen of England]].]]

==Invention of the Modern Wemic==

[[Wikipedia:David C. Sutherland III|David C. Sutherland III]], the artist who painted the covers of the first edition Dungeons and Dragons' ''[[Wikipedia:Monster Manual|Monster Manual]]'' and ''[[Wikipedia:Dungeon Master's Guide|Dungeon Master's Guide]]'', created the modern-day wemic for a game product called "Monster Cards Set 3", a first edition Dungeons and Dragons supplement released in [[Wikipedia:1982|1982]].
Wemics entered the 3rd edition of Dungeons & Dragons in the accessory ''Monsters of [[Wikipedia:Faerûn|Faerûn]]'', which also introduced the '''mountain wemic''': essentially the same build, but the lion portions replaced by those of a large [[puma]]. Mountain wemics are slightly smaller than common wemics and generally solitary.

==Wemics in ''Dungeons & Dragons''==

The human part of a wemic has feline characteristics – always around the eyes and ears, and perhaps in the nose and teeth as well. Males are generally represented as having long mane-like hair.

According to the [[Dungeons & Dragons]] books, Wemics are excellent hunters and fighters. They do not make settled homes, but generally follow the herds they hunt for food. Some have compared them with the aboriginal people of the central plains of [[Wikipedia:North America|North America]].

Wemics are larger and stronger than humans. A wemic can leap up to 50 feet with a running start. Their front claws are sharp, and they can fight with both claws and weapons at the same time. Some gamers have suggested that they are keen of eye and ear, that they can roar, that they can rake with their back claws, and so on, but these options are not universally used in most role-playing games.

It may be hard to imagine what wemics are like, since they are not only different in race, but in form. Take sitting, for example. When a wemic must be still for a time, telling stories around a fire, pausing for a meal, waiting for a friend, or just to take a brief rest, the Wemic commonly assumes a posture in which his hindquarters rest on the ground as his front legs remain straight and his forepaws stay flat on the earth. This they call sitting. This is different from a Wemic sprawling (both hind and forequarters on the ground, but with torso upright) or laying down.

A nomadic, [[Wikipedia:stone age|stone-age]] folk, wemics are often represented as barbaric, illiterate, and uncivilized; they are famous for being highly superstitious. Others would describe Wemics as nature-oriented people with a rich tradition of oral history – they live close to the earth and are in tune with the magical forces around.

==Wemics in other systems==

Wemics also appear as one of the playable species in the [[Maelstrom]] Live Action Roleplay system, based in the UK. However, in this system they appear as highly cultured, bipedal felines, rather than quadrapeds.

Wemics in [[Maelstrom]] are roughly divided into two main groups - those from Amun Sa and those from Tritoni, although some also reside in the Free Islands.

This said, individuals or small prides of Wemics are still found all over the Known World.

A similar creature, called a liontaur, appears in the 1992 [[Wikipedia:Sierra_Entertainment|Sierra Entertainment]] [[Wikipedia:Quest_for_Glory|Quest for Glory]] III computer role-play game by Lori Ann Cole and Corey Cole. It first appeared in Quest for Glory II as a single character, before making its appearance as an entire tribe of such creatures. There was a similar creature in Quest for Glory I, called the cheetaur. It resembled a wemic, but with the skin colouration and appearance of a black panther. The cheetaur was more beastial than its liontaur cousins, being little more than a rampaging monster(as well as the fourth deadliest living creature in the valley, after the Antwerp, Minotaur, and Saurus Rex)

==See also==

*[[Chakat]]s, [[Taur]]s and [[Lammasu]]s.
*[[Wikipedia:Maelstrom|Maelstrom]]

==References==
*Dragon #157 "Ecology of the Wemic"

==External links==
*[http://www.geocities.com/cayzle/ Cayzle's Wemic Site] contains more information on wemics and liontaurs.
*[http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/rules/wemics.asp Maelstrom LARP - Minimum physreps for Wemic characters.]

{{Wikipedia|Wemic}}
[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons creatures]]
[[Category:Fictional species]]

Wemic

2006-05-08T09:52:00Z

Drhoz:

Wemic

2006-05-08T09:48:54Z

Drhoz: major edit, plus illos

A '''wemic''' (or '''liontaur''') is a fantastical creature found in [[role-playing game]]s (such as [[Dungeons & Dragons]]) and some modern fantasy literature. They are occasionally the subject of [[furry fandom|furry]] art. Wemics have a [[humanoid]] torso, the head of a [[human]] or [[lion]], and the body, legs, and tail of a [[lion]]. Thus, they resemble [[Wikipedia:Centaur (Dungeons & Dragons)|centaurs]] but with lion parts in the place of horse parts. They are a type of [[taur]] and also a type of [[felitaur]].

[[Image:wemicarcher.jpg|right|thumb|Wemic Archer from the ''Aurastorm'' setting.]]

==Leotaurs in Folklore==

The lion-centaur appeared briefly in ancient Assyrian art during the Middle Assyrian period. Known as the '''urmahlullu''', the Assyrian lion-centaur was a creature that protected washrooms, possibly from the evil demon Sulak, who resembled a mundane lion – according to "Mesopotamian Protective Spirits" by F. A. M. Wiggermann.

A similar but very rare animal in European [[Wikipedia:heraldry]] is the '''sagittary''' - a half man half lion figure similar to those used to depict the star sign Sagittarius, the man half with a drawn bow. It features as the personal heraldry of [[Wikipedia:King_Stephen|King Stephen of England]]

[[Image:sagittary.jpg|right|thumb|Sagittary - Heraldic Emblem of [[Wikipedia:King_Stephen|King Stephen of England]].]]

==Invention of the Modern Wemic==

[[Wikipedia:David C. Sutherland III]], the artist who painted the covers of the first edition Dungeons and Dragons' ''[[Wikipedia:Monster Manual]]'' and ''[[Wikipedia:Dungeon Master's Guide]]'', created the modern-day wemic for a game product called "Monster Cards Set 3", a first edition Dungeons and Dragons supplement released in [[Wikipedia:1982]].
Wemics entered the 3rd edition of Dungeons & Dragons in the accessory ''Monsters of [[Wikipedia:Faerûn]]'', which also introduced the '''mountain wemic''': essentially the same build, but the lion portions replaced by those of a large [[puma]]. Mountain wemics are slightly smaller than common wemics and generally solitary.

==Wemics in ''Dungeons & Dragons''==

The human part of a wemic has feline characteristics – always around the eyes and ears, and perhaps in the nose and teeth as well. Males are generally represented as having long mane-like hair.

According to the [[Dungeons & Dragons]] books, Wemics are excellent hunters and fighters. They do not make settled homes, but generally follow the herds they hunt for food. Some have compared them with the aboriginal people of the central plains of [[Wikipedia:North America]].

Wemics are larger and stronger than humans. A wemic can leap up to 50 feet with a running start. Their front claws are sharp, and they can fight with both claws and weapons at the same time. Some gamers have suggested that they are keen of eye and ear, that they can roar, that they can rake with their back claws, and so on, but these options are not universally used in most role-playing games.

It may be hard to imagine what wemics are like, since they are not only different in race, but in form. Take sitting, for example. When a wemic must be still for a time, telling stories around a fire, pausing for a meal, waiting for a friend, or just to take a brief rest, the Wemic commonly assumes a posture in which his hindquarters rest on the ground as his front legs remain straight and his forepaws stay flat on the earth. This they call sitting. This is different from a Wemic sprawling (both hind and forequarters on the ground, but with torso upright) or laying down.

A nomadic, [[Wikipedia:stone age|stone-age]] folk, wemics are often represented as barbaric, illiterate, and uncivilized; they are famous for being highly superstitious. Others would describe Wemics as nature-oriented people with a rich tradition of oral history – they live close to the earth and are in tune with the magical forces around.

==Wemics in other systems==

Wemics also appear as one of the playable species in the [[Maelstrom]] Live Action Roleplay system, based in the UK. However, in this system they appear as highly cultured, bipedal felines, rather than quadrapeds.

Wemics in [[Maelstrom]] are roughly divided into two main groups - those from Amun Sa and those from Tritoni, although some also reside in the Free Islands.

This said, individuals or small prides of Wemics are still found all over the Known World.

A similar creature, called a liontaur, appears in the 1992 [[Wikipedia:Sierra_Entertainment|Sierra Entertainment]] [[Wikipedia:Quest_for_Glory|Quest for Glory]] III computer role-play game by Lori Ann Cole and Corey Cole. It first appeared in Quest for Glory II as a single character, before making its appearance as an entire tribe of such creatures. There was a similar creature in Quest for Glory I, called the cheetaur. It resembled a wemic, but with the skin colouration and appearance of a black panther. The cheetaur was more beastial than its liontaur cousins, being little more than a rampaging monster(as well as the fourth deadliest living creature in the valley, after the Antwerp, Minotaur, and Saurus Rex)

==See also==

*[[Chakat]]s, [[Taur]]s and [[Lammasu]]s.
*[[Wikipedia:Maelstrom]]

==References==
*Dragon #157 "Ecology of the Wemic"

==External links==
*[http://www.geocities.com/cayzle/ Cayzle's Wemic Site] contains more information on wemics and liontaurs.
*[http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/rules/wemics.asp Maelstrom LARP - Minimum physreps for Wemic characters.]

{{Wikipedia|Wemic}}
[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons creatures]]
[[Category:Fictional species]]

[[es:Wemic]]

File:Sagittary.jpg

2006-05-08T09:47:46Z

Drhoz: Heraldic Emblem of King Stephen of England

== Summary ==
Heraldic Emblem of King Stephen of England
== Licensing ==
{{PDImage}}

File:Wemicarcher.jpg

2006-05-08T09:46:36Z

Drhoz: Drawn by Drhoz for the ''Aurastorm'' roleplaying setting

== Summary ==
Drawn by Drhoz for the ''Aurastorm'' roleplaying setting
== Licensing ==
{{GFDL}}

Gnoll

2006-05-07T23:19:31Z

Drhoz: re-edit, added illo

<b>Gnolls</b> (/niols/) are a race of creature that was created for the [[Dungeons & Dragons]] [[role-playing game]]. As originally concieved, they were a combination of gnome and troll, hence the name; however, by the time Advanced D&D came out, their current [[anthropomorphic]] [[hyena]]-like forms had been hammered out.

[[Image:Vitus.jpg|right|thumb|A Gnoll from [http://myrystyr.tripod.com/aurastorm/aura00.html ''Aurastorm''].]]

Gnolls, in the early days, were usually depicted as savage theocratic cannibals, with more numbers than sophistication. In recent years, however, gnolls are more and more often depicted as "noble savages," hyena-like scavengers, as opposed to monstrous killers, or as in the ''Aurastorm'' setting [http://myrystyr.tripod.com/aurastorm/aura00.html] as civilised but obsessive desert dwelling clans.

== Gnolls in Folklore & Literature ==

Gnolls are similar to the hyena/demons (çíyyîm) of the Bible, the were-hyenas of African bushman folklore, and the tall dog men ([[Wikipedia:Cynocephaly|Cynocephales]]) of early European travellers logs and bestiaries. Hyenas were associated with death because they dug up and ate human corpses.

It was also indicated that the Dungeons & Dragons creature was inspired by a [[Wikipedia:Edward Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany|Lord Dunsany]] [[Wikipedia:short story]], "How Nuth Would Have Practiced His Art Upon the Gnoles"<small><sup>[http://literature.gothic.ru/eng/classic/dunkani/nuth.htm]</sup></small>.

Gnolls in the [[Wikipedia:Discworld|Discworld]] series are small, matted and dirty enough to sprout fungi and grasses on their hides, and act as street-cleaners in cities like Ankh-Morpork; as Captain Carrot Ironfoundersson puts it, they "pick up this, pick up that, maybe bang it against the wall until it stops struggling..." In the case of at least Stoolie, if not every gnoll on the Discworld, there seems to be a tendency to drop the vowels in words.

== Gnolls in Role-playing Games ==

When first introduced in the original Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game rules (1974), gnolls were described as a "cross between gnomes and trolls." The entire concept was scrapped with the next rules edition, ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'', and was replaced with the more popular hyena-man concept used today.

They have greenish-grey skin and are at least seven feet tall. They use armor made of horn, metal plates, and leather, and large weapons. D&D gnolls are generally savage, barbaric creatures that often practice cannibalism, and enjoy eating the flesh of other sentient species. Gnolls are not especially strong or intelligent, but they are cunning and, when pressed, will fight to death.

One notable [[Wikipedia:race (fantasy)|race]] of gnoll is the '''flind''', which is shorter, broader, and stronger than other gnolls; flinds are often found leading a tribe or settlement of gnolls. Flinds use a [[Wikipedia:nunchaku|nunchaku]]-like weapon called a ''flindbar'', which consists of a pair of metal rods linked together by a chain.

Gnolls in most''Dungeons & Dragons'' settings are worshipers of the [[Wikipedia:Demon lord (Dungeons & Dragons)|demon lord]] [[Wikipedia:Yeenoghu]], who also rules over [[Wikipedia:ghouls]] (which explains the gnolls' taste for humanoid flesh). Some gnolls also worship the evil [[Wikipedia:Erythnul]], god of slaughter. The gnolls' vile disposition is most likely due to the influence of their demonic patron.

In Scott W Roberts' ''Aurastorm'' setting [http://myrystyr.tripod.com/aurastorm/aura00.html][http://www.furry.org.au/Drhoz/furry/aurastorm/aura.html] however, they are civilised desert dwelling clans, technologically proficient, with a range of bronze age metallurgy, alchemy, and steam-power.

A new breed of gnolls is also emerging. Based more heavily on actual hyena culture, these new gnolls, or "Nglls" have developed a newer following, especially in the United Kingdom. They are featured heavily in a large live action fantasy event called [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk Maelstrom].

These Gnoll Clans are led by an alpha female, also known as an "Eleri".
A site featuring a short Gnoll film of this new breed of Gnoll can be found [http://www.thebluehyena.com/media.htm here], although they usually exist in more of a fantasy environment.

== Gnolls in Computer Games ==

Gnolls play a major role in a subplot of the [[Wikipedia:computer role-playing game|computer role-playing game]] ''[[Wikipedia:Baldur's Gate|Baldur's Gate]]''. They are included in the ''[[Wikipedia:Warcraft|Warcraft]]'' universe in the strategy game ''[[Wikipedia:Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos|Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos]]'', where it is said that 'if they ever stopped fighting they could form a formidable army' and in the [[Wikipedia:MMORPG|MMORPG]] ''[[Wikipedia:World of Warcraft|World of Warcraft]]'' in many of the mid level areas. They are also featured prominently in the western part of the continent of Antonica in the MMORPG ''[[Wikipedia:EverQuest|EverQuest]]''.

== External links ==

* [http://www.cenobite.34sp.com/maelstrom/ Customs, society and slang of one Clan of Gnolls existing in the Maelstrom system.]
* [http://myrystyr.tripod.com/aurastorm/aura00.html sourcebook for the ''Aurastorm'' roleplaying setting]
* [http://www.furry.org.au/Drhoz/furry/aurastorm/aura.html Society, history, maps and fiction for and of the ''Aurastorm'' roleplaying setting.]

{{Wikipedia|Gnoll}}
[[Category:Fictional species]]
[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons creatures]]

File:Vitus.jpg

2006-05-07T23:16:17Z

Drhoz: Picture by Drhoz for the ''Aurastorm'' setting

== Summary ==
Picture by Drhoz for the ''Aurastorm'' setting
== Licensing ==
{{GFDL}}

Gnoll

2006-05-07T13:17:13Z

Drhoz: re-edit and amended RPG info

<b>Gnolls</b> (/niols/) are a race of creature that was created for the [[Dungeons & Dragons]] [[role-playing game]]. As originally thought up, they were a combination of gnome and troll, hence the name; however, by the time Advanced D&D came out, their current anthropomorphic [[hyena]]-like forms had been hammered out.

Gnolls, in the early days, were usually depicted as savage theocratic cannibals, with more numbers than sophistication. In recent years, however, gnolls are more and more often depicted as "noble savages," hyena-like scavengers, as opposed to monstrous killers, or as in the ''Aurastorm'' setting [http://myrystyr.tripod.com/aurastorm/aura00.html] as civilised but obsessive desert dwelling clans.

== Gnolls in Folklore & Literature ==

Gnolls are similar to the hyena/demons (çíyyîm) of the Bible, the were-hyenas of African bushman folklore, and the tall dog men ([[Cynocephaly|Cynocephales]]) of early European travellers logs and bestiaries. Hyenas were associated with death because they dug up and ate human corpses.

It was also indicated that the [[Dungeons & Dragons]] creature was inspired by a Lord Dunsany short story, "How Nuth Would Have Practiced His Art Upon the Gnoles"[http://literature.gothic.ru/eng/classic/dunkani/nuth.htm].

Gnolls in the [[Discworld]] series are small, matted and dirty enough to sprout fungi and grasses on their hides, and act as street-cleaners in cities like Ankh-Morpork; as Captain Carrot Ironfoundersson puts it, they "pick up this, pick up that, maybe bang it against the wall until it stops struggling..." In the case of at least Stoolie, if not every gnoll on the Discworld, there seems to be a tendency to drop the vowels in words.

== Gnolls in Role-playing Games ==

When first introduced in the original [[Dungeons & Dragons]] [[role-playing game]] rules (1974), gnolls were described as a "cross between gnomes and trolls." The entire concept was scrapped with the next rules edition, ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'', and was replaced with the more popular hyena-man concept used today.

They have greenish-grey skin and are at least seven feet tall. They use armor made of horn, metal plates, and leather, and large weapons. D&D gnolls are generally savage, barbaric creatures that often practice cannibalism, and enjoy eating the flesh of other sentient species. Gnolls are not especially strong or intelligent, but they are cunning and, when pressed, will fight to death.

One notable [[race (fantasy)|race]] of gnoll is the '''flind''', which is shorter, broader, and stronger than other gnolls; flinds are often found leading a tribe or settlement of gnolls. Flinds use a [[nunchaku]]-like weapon called a ''flindbar'', which consists of a pair of metal rods linked together by a chain.

Gnolls in most ''Dungeons & Dragons'' settings are worshipers of the Demon Lord Yeenoghu, who also rules over [[ghouls]] (which explains the gnolls' taste for humanoid flesh). Some gnolls also worship the evil Erythnul, god of slaughter. The gnolls' vile disposition is most likely due to the influence of their demonic patron.

In Scott W Roberts' ''Aurastorm'' setting [http://myrystyr.tripod.com/aurastorm/aura00.html][http://www.furry.org.au/Drhoz/furry/aurastorm/aura.html] however, they are civilised desert dwelling clans, technologically proficient, with a range of bronze age metallurgy, alchemy, and steam-power.

A new breed of gnolls is also emerging. Based more heavily on actual hyena culture, these new gnolls, or "Nglls" have developed a newer following, especially in the United Kingdom. They are featured heavily in a large live action fantasy event called [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk Maelstrom].

These Gnoll Clans are led by an alpha female, also known as an "Eleri".
A site featuring a short Gnoll film of this new breed of Gnoll can be found [http://www.thebluehyena.com/media.htm here], although they usually exist in more of a fantasy environment.

== Gnolls in Computer Games ==

Gnolls play a major role in a subplot of the [[computer role-playing game]] ''Baldur's Gate''. They are included in the ''[[Warcraft]]'' universe in the strategy game ''[[Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos]]'', where it is said that 'if they ever stopped fighting they could form a formidable army' and in the [[MMORPG]] ''[[World of Warcraft]]'' in many of the mid level areas. They are also featured prominently in the western part of the continent of Antonica in the MMORPG ''[[EverQuest]]''.

==External links==

* [http://www.cenobite.34sp.com/maelstrom/ Customs, society and slang of one Clan of Gnolls existing in the Maelstrom system.]
* [http://www.furry.org.au/Drhoz/furry/aurastorm/aura.html Society, history, maps and fiction for and of the Aurastorm roleplaying setting.]

{{stub}}
[[Category:Fictional species]]
[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons creatures]]

Gnoll

2006-05-07T10:36:17Z

Drhoz: enlarged the stub, using much info from Wikipedia entry

<b>Gnolls</b> (/niols/) are a race of creature that was created for the [[Dungeons & Dragons]] [[role-playing game]]. As originally thought up, they were a combination of gnome and troll, hence the name; however, by the time Advanced D&D came out, their current anthropomorphic [[hyena]]-like forms had been hammered out.

Gnolls, in the early days, were usually depicted as savage theocratic cannibals, with more numbers than sophistication. In recent years, however, gnolls are more and more often depicted as "noble savages," hyena-like scavengers, as opposed to monstrous killers, or as in the Aurastorm setting [http://www.furry.org.au/Drhoz/furry/aurastorm/aura.html] as civilised but obsessive desert dwelling clans

== Gnolls in Role-playing Games ==

When first introduced in the original [[Dungeons & Dragons]] [[role-playing game]] rules (1974), gnolls were described as a "cross between gnomes and trolls." The entire concept was scrapped with the next rules edition, ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'', and was replaced with the more popular hyena-man concept used today.

They have greenish-grey skin and are at least seven feet tall. They use armor made of horn, metal plates, and leather, and large weapons. D&D gnolls are generally savage, barbaric creatures that often practice cannibalism, and enjoy eating the flesh of other sentient species. Gnolls are not especially strong or intelligent, but they are cunning and, when pressed, will fight to death.

One notable [[race (fantasy)|race]] of gnoll is the '''flind''', which is shorter, broader, and stronger than other gnolls; flinds are often found leading a tribe or settlement of gnolls. Flinds use a [[nunchaku]]-like weapon called a ''flindbar'', which consists of a pair of metal rods linked together by a chain.

Gnolls in ''Dungeons & Dragons'' are worshipers of the Demon lord Yeenoghu, who also rules over [[ghouls]] (which explains the gnolls' taste for humanoid flesh). Some gnolls also worship the evil Erythnul, god of slaughter. The gnolls' vile disposition is most likely due to the influence of their demonic patron.

A new breed of gnolls is also emerging. Based more heavily on actual hyena culture, these new gnolls, or "Nglls" have developed a newer following, especially in the United Kingdom. They are featured heavily in a large live action fantasy event called [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk Maelstrom].

These Gnoll Clans are led by an alpha female, also known as an "Eleri".
A site featuring a short Gnoll film of this new breed of Gnoll can be found [http://www.thebluehyena.com/media.htm here], although they usually exist in more of a fantasy environment.

== Gnolls in Literature ==

Gnolls are similar to the hyena/demons (çíyyîm) of the Bible, the were-hyenas of African bushman folklore, and the tall dog men ([[Cynocephaly|Cynocephales]]) of early European travellers logs and bestiaries. Hyenas were associated with death because they dug up and ate human corpses.

It was also indicated that the [[Dungeons & Dragons]] creature was inspired by a Lord Dunsany short story, "How Nuth Would Have Practiced His Art Upon the Gnoles"[http://literature.gothic.ru/eng/classic/dunkani/nuth.htm].

Gnolls in the [[Discworld]] series are small, matted and dirty enough to sprout fungi and grasses on their hides, and act as street-cleaners in cities like Ankh-Morpork; as Captain Carrot Ironfoundersson puts it, they "pick up this, pick up that, maybe bang it against the wall until it stops struggling..." In the case of at least Stoolie, if not every gnoll on the Discworld, there seems to be a tendency to drop the vowels in words.

== Gnolls in Computer Games ==

Gnolls play a major role in a subplot of the [[computer role-playing game]] ''Baldur's Gate''. They are included in the ''[[Warcraft]]'' universe in the strategy game ''[[Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos]]'', where it is said that 'if they ever stopped fighting they could form a formidable army' and in the [[MMORPG]] ''[[World of Warcraft]]'' in many of the mid level areas. They are also featured prominently in the western part of the continent of Antonica in the MMORPG ''[[EverQuest]]''.

==External links==

* [http://www.cenobite.34sp.com/maelstrom/ Customs, society and slang of one Clan of Gnolls existing in the Maelstrom system.]
* [http://www.furry.org.au/Drhoz/furry/aurastorm/aura.html Society, history, maps and fiction for and of the Aurastorm roleplaying setting.]

{{stub}}
[[Category:Fictional species]]
[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons creatures]]