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Advanced Races #10: Gnolls (PFRPG) PDF

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Run with the Pack!

Savage and hulking, yet craven and lazy, gnolls respect only strength and believe that work should be done by the weak.

The strongest and fiercest command, while others obey with their tails between their legs, always looking for a way to improve their station. A few gnolls seek power by adventuring—or they are forced to take that path when the pack exiles them. Maybe they can gain enough might to someday return and take revenge...

Advanced Races: Gnolls gives you everything you need to play a gnoll adventurer. This 17-page sourcebook by Mike Franke and Chris Harris includes:

4 new gnoll racial traits: Slave-Master, Hulking Brute, Bully, and Obsequious
5 new feats including Badlands Warrior, Fearful Howl, and Shadow of the Desert
3 new archetypes: Mowa, Silent Howler and Wastelands Stalker
9 new magic items and 7 new spells
The Cult of Nkishi, the Laughing Darkness
And much more!

Gather your weapons, lurker, scavenger, man-killer: Your day has come! Pick up Advanced Races: Gnolls today and try out this unlikely race in your next game.

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OPDAR10GNOLLSE

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An Endzeitgeist.com review

Endzeitgeist — Feb 6, 2015, 04:09 am

This installment of the Advanced Races-series clocks in at 17 pages, 1 page front cover, 1 page editorial/ToC, 1 page SRD and 1 page advertisement, leaving us with 13 pages of content, so let's take a look!

We kick off this discussion on gnolls with an extensive text on the nature of gnoll society and psychology, steeped in Midgard-lore, yes, but also more setting-agnostic than many similar introductions - the writing here is pretty much top-notch and the new deity/mask of a deity Nkishi - which are particularly nasty, being allied to were-hyenas and bouda. What's a bouda, you ask? well bouda are a new monster, a CR 5 div that is truly and utterly disgusting (and yes, here, that is a complement!) -with sickening smears, quick coup-de-graces and similar tricks, these creatures are pretty awesome and come with a pretty expensive flavor as well as a glorious artwork - I love them. Only...

Yeah, there's a caveat here. I can't, for the life of me, fathom why this cool creature is in a player's book. It simply doesn't belong here!

Gnolls as a playable race come with full-blown age, height and weight tables and receive the following benefits: +4 Str, -2 to all mental attributes. That gears them almost exclusively to physical pursuits AND enhances min-maxing. There's a reason most races adhere to a net +2 gain, with one attribute bonus allocated to mental and one to physical attributes. The rationale of 3.X that valued Str higher than the other attributes is no longer in place as a design paradigm, so consider this decision leaving me puzzled. Gnolls also receive scent, proficiency with spears, crossbows and bows (!!!), darkvision and +10 ft movement when retreating. They also gain +1 Survival when scavenging for food and drink and receive a -2 penalty to saves versus fear-effects. Overall, this leaves the race very lopsided - great for rangers and martial characters, less useful for everyone else. On a design-perspective, this is exactly the racial "profiling" towards certain career paths one should usually avoid, especially considering the massive +4 Str-bonus. Do you even know how high you could go with that at first level? Yeah. Take a look at that damage output. Urgh. Add to that scent and martial weapon proficiencies...well, you get the idea. While not utterly overpowered or worthy of true ranting, I do not consider this an example of good racial design - it exhibits all flaws usually avoided.

A total of 4 alternate racial traits are presented, including slaver-style weapon proficiencies, better intimidation at the cost of an uneven penalty to fear-saves and gnolls particularly adept at sniveling. It should be noted that uneven bonus-types can be found quite often in here. One trait is even more min-maxy - 20 ft slow and steady movement instead of the default 30 ft, but also +2 Con for -4 to Int. Now if you can't figure out how this can be easily gamed without even trying, I don't know.

We receive 4 favored class options for cleric, ranger, druid and rogue, all of which are solid. Beyond these, we also get new archetypes, first of which would be the Mowa (cleric) - this archetype replaces spontaneous heal-conversion with different spontaneous spell conversions and also gets a focus on intimidation and 4+int skills per level. Additionally, they receive a curse at 3rd level that allows them to prevent targets from sleeping. As an Su. Not as an Sp, as an Su. They do not receive medium armor proficiency, but do receive alignment channel as a first level bonus feat. Sooo...more versatile conversion, an op curse that fails to specify the action it requires to activate...or a daily limit. Free feat at level one. For medium armor proficiency? Really? Where's the balance here?

Silent Howlers are rangers of a specific secret society (with awesome fluff!) that cast spells via int from the sorc/wizard-list. Apart from that, they are locked into their first favored terrain, gain poison use, can move freely through crowds and perfectly blend and go undercover in masses. So here are the issues - so they cast sorc/wiz spells: With arcane spell failure or without? Also: Where's the balance for receiving access to arguably the most powerful, versatile spell-list EVER? I like the concept, but poison use is better than endurance, sorc/wiz-spells are better than ranger spells and yes, the slight modifications of camouflage et al. are solid...but still, this archetype feels like it can use some clarification and gentle prodding with the nerf-bat.

The Wasteland Stalker ranger replaces spells with a unpenalized (level-wise) animal companion and is locked into the ranged specialization; The archetype also receives wasteland benefits. This one is...boring. There's nothing cool here. Everything this archetype does can be done without it. It lacks a raison d'être.

The same can thankfully not be said about the new equipment provided: Posioned bolas, beetle carapace armor, musk bombs, fans to create dust clouds for ambushes and mewling horns - these items are interesting and compelling, though I would have preferred the beetle carapace as a material instead of being locked into an armor. The 5 new feats allow you to selectively ignore difficult terrain in certain terrain types,gaining a bite attack (properly codified!) or better Stealth in certain environments. On the problematic side - unlimited daily AoE-demoralization-howls need a nerfing - hrad. And, since they can be enhanced by allies, why not codify them as a teamwork feat? Also: A cap is very much required here - or at least a caveat that a creature can't be affected again after being demoralized by the howl - some sort of balancing. The final feat allows you to become undetectable by tremorsense -which I applaud in theory - the sense needs some countermeasures. However, flat-out becoming undetectable is simply not smooth design - why not go for simply allowing a Stealth-check with a significant bonus?

A total of 9 magic items are also part of the deal, allowing gnolls to pose as humans and otherwise providing an interesting array of fetishes - all of which have at the very least iconic imagery going for them, some even sporting unique benefits - nice jobs, also since it gels well with the base concept.

The pdf closes with 7 new spells - superb tracking via a creature's blood, searing winds, better bites by dislodging jaws, hydration, generating sand traps and putting weak creatures into a slave's stupor - once again, nice.

Conclusion:

Editing and formatting are very good - while the rules are not always perfect, no basic issues with the rules-language cropped up. Layout adheres to Kobold Press' 2-column full-color standard and the pdf comes fully bookmarked. Artworks deserve special mention - they are GORGEOUS.

Mike Franke and Chris Harris deliver per se a book I'd recommend...were it a DM ecology. To be honest, this book felt pretty much like it had an identity-crisis: The inspired fluff, the savage magic items - all of it screams "I am a DM-book!" and this impression is further cemented by the inclusion of a cool monster. How many parties will tolerate a gnoll walking around with a fetish of elven ears? Yeah. Exactly. This confused focus, alas, extends to the crunch: While making a monster melee/caster-centric is valid practice, for a player race, it simply isn't good design. And no, I'm not harping on this due to the power-level - lamia and shadow fey from the same series could be argued to be stronger. I'm harping on the whole built because it is a flat-out invitation to min-max certain builds, while others are simply inefficient when compared to regular races. Why *ever* go for a gnoll sorceror? Yeah.

This strange, confused identity is also reflected by another fact - unlike most AR-installments, the racial information is simply...not as extensive. Whether it's traits, alternate racial traits, feats or archetypes, the book simply doesn't offer that much and what's here in these departments could either sue some fine-tuning, feels bland or both. Like it's an after-thought, something to get over with so one can devote time to the cool spells, magic items, etc.

Or the write-up on a secret society that shouldn't be in a player's guide...much like aforementioned monster. Now don't get me wrong, if the new racial material had some sort of synergy with the monster...a transformation of sorts...whatever...then I'd kind of understand it. Or as a companion. I'd get that. But like this? Weird indeed.

And then, there is simply what I'd call the "fluff-failure." Know what the grand achievements of AR: Lamia and Shadow-Fey were? They managed to make races of arguably despicable individuals playable - by depicting the culture and its outcasts, the mentality. They opened NPC-races for players and did that without forcing the race towards a certain class or class-type. AR: Gnolls does no such thing. The gnolls herein are pretty much the almost universally despicable race we all know and love to kill. They are geared towards brutal savagery and their class options reflect that, one and all. If you take the secret-society ranger away, we get an OP xenophobic cleric and a bland ranger. The items, while awesome, also push them in that direction. The gnolls here don't feel like a race I'd play - because this pdf leaves them pretty much one-dimensional.

Now this is especially baffling due to one thing: Kobold Press, and the Midgard Campaign Setting has done better. This is actually a huge step BACK for the depiction of the whole race. What do I mean?

Calm-Tongue. The great gnoll philosopher who developed a code of honor and understanding. Who subdued the bloodlust. Introduced in Midgard Legends and one of my favorite characters in the book, this guy is essentially a gnoll Mahatma Ghandi (with less pacifism and more serene ass-kicking). So you have this awesome lore established. You have this code and tradition...and then ignore it?! WHY? Even when remaining setting-agnostic, introducing the philosophy and expanding on it is such an incredibly obvious way of making gnolls more accepted, more player-friendly, I can't fathom why this route wasn't taken. In one fell swoop, this would add an extremely interesting, complex dichotomy to the race that would vastly enhance its appeal - both for players and DMs, who suddenly would receive more roleplaying potential than they could ever hope for. Instead we get brutish savages. *sigh*

Now don't get me wrong. This pdf isn't bad. It has its shining moments. They simply aren't for players. Items, monster, fluff - mostly useful for the DM, including a simply savage and unpleasant deity that no non-evil PC will ever worship. All the player-content is, pardon my English, either design-wise too limited or bland.

How to rate this, then? For players, I'd suggest to steer clear - if you get this for balanced player's options for gnolls, this fails and is a 2-star book - players are better off buying Midgard Legends for their DM and asking him/her to copy the legend of Calm-Tongue. As a source-book/equipment-option-array, it is nice though, and it does not sport enough issues to be thoroughly whacked. hence, my final verdict will clock in at 2.5 stars, barely rounded up to 3 - for DMs.

Endzeitgeist out.

Product Discussion (40)

Search Thread

Liz Courts Webstore Gninja Minion

Jul 16, 2014, 07:01 pm

1 person marked this as a favorite.

Now available! Rawr!

Mike Franke

Jul 17, 2014, 12:08 am

2 people marked this as a favorite.

I hope everyone likes what we have done here. I have felt for a long time that gnolls have a lot of potential as a player race and it was a lot of fun to put myself in the savage shoes (paws?) of the gnolls while working on this. I personally am currently envisioning a gnoll with a laser cannon and sun sword for the Iron Gods AP but that is just me.

J. Chris Harris

Jul 17, 2014, 07:31 am

I can't get my hyena cackle down to an acceptable volume for the gaming table no matter how often I practice in the shower, but I'm still going to try and squeeze one of these guys into the Mummy's Mask campaign I'm playing.

The bulk of the body of work herein is Mike's, and he has a real feel for these creatures. I hope the viscera I've added to this little feast makes it even more fun to gnaw on with your companions!

Remember, kids: Nkishi loves you, and promises to let nothing go to waste!

Jim Groves Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 4

Jul 17, 2014, 10:15 am

3 people marked this as a favorite.

Chris and Mike,

I have actually allowed a neutral aligned gnoll in my Mummy's Mask campaign.

(Personal tragedy caused her to become disillusioned with Lamashtu and convert to Pharasma... and her work with the poor and destitute as a skilled midwife has granted her tolerance and grudging acceptance by civilized locals)

Does this book have stuff for neutral gnolls?

J. Chris Harris

Jul 17, 2014, 10:31 am

1 person marked this as a favorite.

Indeed, it does, and that is whom the bulk of this installment of Advanced Races is for! There are certainly sinister options within, as well, but this is a player-focused piece, and there is plenty within for the neutral or good-aligned gnolls.

(I'm envious of your player, by the way! We'll see if I can get one going as well!)

Marc Radle

Jul 17, 2014, 10:35 am

Yeah, this one is very cool. Obviously my main focus is on the layout, graphic design etc ... but I do tend to sneak in a little reading as well :)

I'd be very keen to play a gnoll now! :)

Rusty Ironpants RPG Superstar 2015 Top 16

Jul 17, 2014, 01:19 pm

I love me some gnolls. Ordered.

Mike Franke

Jul 17, 2014, 02:19 pm

I agree with Chris, If you want to play a gnoll, no matter the alignment, this installment of Advanced Races is for you. I love all of the support we have here for the typical desert stalking savage gnoll, but I am really proud of the options included for playing a more civilized gnoll or urban gnoll as well.

DoomedPaladin01

Jul 17, 2014, 05:04 pm

I'm really looking forward to reading this. I Love the cover! Squabbling is exactly what comes to mind when I think of them.

Jim, midwife! Seriously? Who the hell lets a giant hyena anywhere near their newborn!

So what's the next race to be advanced?

Wolfgang Baur Contributor; Publisher, Kobold Press; RPG Superstar Judge

Jul 18, 2014, 09:41 am

3 people marked this as a favorite.

Next race to be advanced is still a matter of shadows and conjectures. But it should come along in early August, before Gen Con.

Axial

Jul 18, 2014, 09:59 am

1 person marked this as a favorite.

I recommend minotaurs. The stat penalties for them in Midgard Campaign Setting seem a bit harsh, but they're a flavorful species that could really benefit from support.

Marc Radle

Jul 18, 2014, 10:35 am

Axial wrote:

I recommend minotaurs. The stat penalties for them in Midgard Campaign Setting seem a bit harsh, but they're a flavorful species that could really benefit from support.

Might I suggest you read Wolfgang's comment again? There might be a clue in there somewhere ...

Or maybe not, what do I know? :)

Rusty Ironpants RPG Superstar 2015 Top 16

Jul 18, 2014, 12:05 pm

Wolfgang Baur wrote:

Next race to be advanced is still a matter of shadows and conjectures. But it should come along in early August, before Gen Con.

So you are saying it is going to be fetchlings? ;)

Wolfgang Baur Contributor; Publisher, Kobold Press; RPG Superstar Judge

Jul 18, 2014, 03:20 pm

1 person marked this as a favorite.

I can neither confirm nor deny fetchlings.

Minotaurs definitely has merit, and they really need some hoof-stomping goodies to go with the new Labyrinth domain of divine spells they got from Deep Magic. Hm.

Set	Jul 18, 2014, 09:12 pm

1 person marked this as a favorite.

Jim Groves wrote:

I have actually allowed a neutral aligned gnoll in my Mummy's Mask campaign.

(Personal tragedy caused her to become disillusioned with Lamashtu and convert to Pharasma... and her work with the poor and destitute as a skilled midwife has granted her tolerance and grudging acceptance by civilized locals)

From an objective distance, gnollish areas of concern and Pharasman doctrine have a fair number of Venn diagram overlaps.

He'sDeadJim

Jul 18, 2014, 10:52 pm

Jim Groves wrote:

Chris and Mike,

I have actually allowed a neutral aligned gnoll in my Mummy's Mask campaign.

(Personal tragedy caused her to become disillusioned with Lamashtu and convert to Pharasma... and her work with the poor and destitute as a skilled midwife has granted her tolerance and grudging acceptance by civilized locals)
Does this book have stuff for neutral gnolls?

How about good ones?

I am playing a NG gnoll (albino) though the Legacy of Fire as a Desert Druid of Seranrae (he was raised by a human druid). At this point I have taken over the remainder of the Three-Jaws tribe and have been having the time of my life playing a healer/fire themed gnoll druid. I'm 5th level with 2 Mythic levels of Heirophant!

The only down-side was my GM suggested that I marry the strongest female and begin having pups as soon as possible to cement my control over the tribe!
=)

J. Chris Harris

Jul 19, 2014, 12:32 am

He'sDeadJim wrote:

Jim Groves wrote:
Chris and Mike,

I have actually allowed a neutral aligned gnoll in my Mummy's Mask campaign.

(Personal tragedy caused her to become disillusioned with Lamashtu and convert to Pharasma... and her work with the poor and destitute as a skilled midwife has granted her tolerance and grudging acceptance by civilized locals)
Does this book have stuff for neutral gnolls?
How about good ones?
I am playing a NG gnoll (albino) though the Legacy of Fire as a Desert Druid of Seranrae (he was raised by a human druid). At this point I have taken over the remainder of the Three-Jaws tribe and have been having the time of my life playing a healer/fire themed gnoll druid. I'm 5th level with 2 Mythic levels of Heirophant!

The only down-side was my GM suggested that I marry the strongest female and begin having pups as soon as possible to cement my control over the tribe!
=)

Well, it's good politics, in any case:)

Your campaign sounds really cool, by the way. I'm determined to play in LoF one day.

Benchak the Nightstalker Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 8

Jul 19, 2014, 01:10 am

Set wrote:

Jim Groves wrote:
I have actually allowed a neutral aligned gnoll in my Mummy's Mask campaign.

(Personal tragedy caused her to become disillusioned with Lamashtu and convert to Pharasma... and her work with the poor and destitute as a skilled midwife has granted her tolerance and grudging acceptance by civilized locals)
Related notion for possible inspiration.
From an objective distance, gnollish areas of concern and Pharasman doctrine have a fair number of Venn diagram overlaps.

I am the player of the neutral gnoll Jim mentioned, and I am so stealing this!

Oceanshieldwolf

Jul 19, 2014, 01:16 am

1 person marked this as a favorite.

Wolfgang Baur wrote:

Next race to be advanced is still a matter of shadows and conjectures. But it should come along in early August, before Gen Con.

Finally, the long awaited shadowfey.

nightflier

Jul 19, 2014, 09:20 am

1 person marked this as a favorite.

I Codex Alera books by Jim Butcher there's a whole race of Gnoll-like beings, although more wolf-based. I can not recommend enough those books for all who are interested in playing something like that. (Although, they come into story starting with 2nd book.)

Wolfgang Baur Contributor; Publisher, Kobold Press; RPG Superstar Judge

Jul 19, 2014, 02:10 pm

1 person marked this as a favorite.

::adds Jim Butcher books to library list::

Thanks for the tip on those!

Stormrunner

Jul 20, 2014, 12:45 pm

1 person marked this as a favorite.

Yes, I've mentioned this in here before, but ... Ursula Vernon's webcomic "Digger", while nominally about a talking wombat, has a gnollish race (Digger refers to them simply as "the hyenas") that plays a major role in the story. Definitely worth reading for the well-crafted society/culture/religion.
And Vernon's (text, not comic) book duology Black Dogs has an encounter with a much less friendly gnoll tribe, led by the sadomasochistic female Bears-Nine (as in, "survived nine births"). You want to challenge her for alpha? All you have to do is sit in the Throne of Blades, and survive ... If you know the trick, it *merely* inflicts extreme pain and blood loss - if you don't, you die in agony as the blades pierce your vitals.

Stormrunner

Jul 20, 2014, 06:50 pm

1 person marked this as a favorite.

Over in the forums, the Set's Stuff thread had an entry for "composite" deities, mashing together two gods into one:

Set wrote:

Pharashtu (Lamashtu, Pharasma) - goddess of birth and death, matron of midwives and nannies, embalmers and executioners, mistress of the underworld, midwife to prince and monster alike, to whom every soul has the same weight, and will be judged with the same loving dispassion.

Rovenrae (Rovagug, Sarenrae) - god(dess) of the great burning, the fire that cleanses the world and burns away impurity, infirmity and stagnation, only to bring new life in it's wake, symbolitized by a massive couatl that is equal parts phoenix and linnorm, devouring itself in Ouroboran fashion, Rovenrae is the god(dess) of destruction, purification and rebirth.

Torthys, Nethyg (Nethys, Torag) - god of artifice and discovery, mad genius that built the world and every beautiful and terrible thing within it, patron of creation, magic and innovation, but also of reconstruction, of tearing apart things to create other things, ever more complex, always pushing the boundaries.

I was researching African deities as inspiration for gnoll religions, and the "Pharashtu" entry above perfectly matches many African fertility goddesses, who typically also have dominion over death, souls/spirits, and the underworld. Perfect for Benchak's gnoll midwife!

Wolfgang Baur Contributor; Publisher, Kobold Press; RPG Superstar Judge

Jul 21, 2014, 10:22 am

2 people marked this as a favorite.

Rovenrae might appeal to gnoll arsonists as well. I mean, what gnoll adventurer doesn't want to say "I burned down the castle to save it! I'm bringing purification and new life."

Also, every time I think of gnoll I remember this awesome picture from the real world.

rungekutta13

Jul 21, 2014, 11:00 am

This is an awesome addition! Gnolls (and their bigger cousins, the flinds) have had a place in my heart since way back in 1991 when Dragon magazine published "The Sociology of the Flind." Really looking forward to this!

Marc Radle

Jul 21, 2014, 11:31 am

I'm looking forward to the first reviews! :)

He'sDeadJim

Jul 25, 2014, 09:19 pm

J. Chris Harris wrote:

He'sDeadJim wrote:

Jim Groves wrote:
Chris and Mike,

I have actually allowed a neutral aligned gnoll in my Mummy's Mask campaign.

(Personal tragedy caused her to become disillusioned with Lamashtu and convert to Pharasma... and her work with the poor and destitute as a skilled midwife has granted her tolerance and grudging acceptance by civilized locals)
Does this book have stuff for neutral gnolls?
How about good ones?
I am playing a NG gnoll (albino) though the Legacy of Fire as a Desert Druid of Seranrae (he was raised by a human druid). At this point I have taken over the remainder of the Three-Jaws tribe and have been having the time of my life playing a healer/fire themed gnoll druid. I'm 5th level with 2 Mythic levels of Heirophant!

The only down-side was my GM suggested that I marry the strongest female and begin having pups as soon as possible to cement my control over the tribe!
=)

Well, it's good politics, in any case:)
Your campaign sounds really cool, by the way. I'm determined to play in LoF one day.

Absolutely! Especally with Mythic Adventures added in.

My GM's LoF portal-
https://pathfinder-legacy-of-fire-1.obsidianportal.com/

J. Chris Harris

Jul 28, 2014, 02:38 pm

He'sDeadJim wrote:

J. Chris Harris wrote:

He'sDeadJim wrote:

Jim Groves wrote:
Chris and Mike,

I have actually allowed a neutral aligned gnoll in my Mummy's Mask campaign.

(Personal tragedy caused her to become disillusioned with Lamashtu and convert to Pharasma... and her work with the poor and destitute as a skilled midwife has granted her tolerance and grudging acceptance by civilized locals)
Does this book have stuff for neutral gnolls?
How about good ones?
I am playing a NG gnoll (albino) though the Legacy of Fire as a Desert Druid of Seranrae (he was raised by a human druid). At this point I have taken over the remainder of the Three-Jaws tribe and have been having the time of my life playing a healer/fire themed gnoll druid. I'm 5th level with 2 Mythic levels of Heirophant!

The only down-side was my GM suggested that I marry the strongest female and begin having pups as soon as possible to cement my control over the tribe!
=)

Well, it's good politics, in any case:)
Your campaign sounds really cool, by the way. I'm determined to play in LoF one day.
Absolutely! Especally with Mythic Adventures added in.
My GM's LoF portal-
https://pathfinder-legacy-of-fire-1.obsidianportal.com/

Wow, I love what your GM is doing with the place! Using the mythic material and the kingdom-building rules with that AP is perfect, from the little bits I know. Enjoy that!

He'sDeadJim

Aug 7, 2014, 04:18 pm

J. Chris Harris wrote:

Wow, I love what your GM is doing with the place! Using the mythic material and the kingdom-building rules with that AP is perfect, from the little bits I know. Enjoy that!

I am! =)

I just we could get together more often. Once a month seems to be our best effort though.

Rysky

Sep 3, 2014, 03:48 am

How did I miss this?!?!

Buyingbuyingbuyingbuyingbuying!!!!!!!!!!!

Wolfgang Baur Contributor; Publisher, Kobold Press; RPG Superstar Judge

Sep 3, 2014, 09:03 am

Thank you! We're doing even more with gnolls in an upcoming Kobold Press project, but this is the foundation stone.

Would be interested in a review!

Rysky

Sep 3, 2014, 06:37 pm

You shall!... Just as soon as I get to a computer to download and look it over.

iPhone! Why you no let me download Paizo stuff directly?!?!

Liz Courts Webstore Gninja Minion

Sep 3, 2014, 06:42 pm

Rysky wrote:

You shall!... Just as soon as I get to a computer to download and look it over.

iPhone! Why you no let me download Paizo stuff directly?!?!

Because ZIP files don't play nice with iOS.

Mike Welham Contributor, RPG Superstar 2012

Sep 3, 2014, 07:45 pm

That's why you get an app like, say, Good Reader that will allow you to unzip your files and then view them in glorious PDF.

not a paid endorsement of Good Reader

He'sDeadJim

Jan 5, 2015, 10:17 pm

Ok, I bought this...and I have to say I'm a bit disappointed. Don't get me wrong, the writing and info provided is solid, but as a person who LIKES to play gnolls as PCs(of various alignments and classes and worlds) there wasn't really much to appeal to someone like me. This book seems to me to be more likely to be for GMs in most cases.

If that was the intent, then this is good stuff and should be easy enough to adapt to as needed. However, if the idea was to present a book in general (for both GMs and players) there was much lacking for PCs.

Not every gnoll is an evil bastard, but that was the impression I got out of this book. What about gnolls that want to try and find redemption and/or do just do better for themselves (More than just being Evil or a selfish-Neutral)? What about PCs that have been reincarnated into a gnoll? Nothing really. I'm not saying this book needs to be about good gnolls, but there was much lacking in what I was looking for.

Technically this is not a negative review, just realize this book is got plenty to offer GMs, NPC gnolls, and PC gnolls that like poison and assassination (and similar).

Endzeitgeist

Feb 6, 2015, 04:11 am

Reviewed first on endzeitgeist.com, then submitted to Nerdtrek and GMS magazine and posted here and on OBS.

Wolfgang Baur Contributor; Publisher, Kobold Press; RPG Superstar Judge

Feb 6, 2015, 09:16 am

1 person marked this as a favorite.

Thanks for the reviews, Endzeitgeist and He'sDeadJim!

(And yes, I think it does skew more toward the GM side of the table than it might.)

Endzeitgeist

Feb 6, 2015, 09:35 am

Thank you for always being professional and kind, Wolfgang! I've got a bunch of KP-reviews in the wings and there'll be some among them that will be better.

Steven T. Helt RPG Superstar 2013

May 13, 2015, 08:59 am

2 people marked this as a favorite.

I wanted to remind everyone that the gnoll book gets a lot of revision, including pages and pages of new mechanical crunch in the Advanced Races Compendium Kickstarter!

Go here and back us to get a .pdf (or a 300-page hardcover!) for the Compendium, including at least 17 chapters of new traits, archetypes, feats, spells, favored class options, racial equipment and more!

Go check out the project and its many teases at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/350683997/advanced-races-compendium-fo r-pathfinder-roleplayi/posts/1228878

Specifically, I wanted to point out the gnoll chapter has been revised to include slightly different background, and a whooole lot of mechanical crunch to make playing a ghoul fun and unique. My favorite new archetype is the gnoll sycophant!