I'm currently trying out the 5E Monster creation rules. My first monster will be a Gnoll Shaman. It went pretty well, so far- the tutorial in the DMG is pretty straitforward.
However, I'm kinda torn on WHAT kind of spell caster it should be. My first thought was Cleric, as the Gnollish god plays a pretty significant role in Gnoll life. Then I thought Druid! And then Warlock. The last seemed tailor made for this- a caster who makes a pact with an extra planar power.
However, Gnolls are stupid. As in 6 intelligence stupid. NOT a good fit for an arcane caster... Plus the fluff that goes along with the class just doesn't gel well with the concept of Gnolls.
Likwise, Druid gave me problems from the start. Gnolls are anything but nature loving, or protective- they are more like a plague upon the land...
Cleric still seems like a good fit, I wanted a Gnoll Shaman- an advisor to the pack leader, medicine man, and a source of supporting magic and some firepower.
Anyone have any other bright ideas, or should I just give it spell casting ability with access to the Cleric spell list. (and perhaps a couple of chosen spells from the Druid and Warlock lists for a more primitive, tribal feel) And just say that Yeenogu grants these gnolls a boost to wisdom and a 2nd level cleric's spell slots.
Base it on the Gnoll Pack Lord, but trade the Incite Rampage, and multi-attack for spellcasting ability. (and some ability score tweaks) It's too bad that this edition didn't include an Evil or Death domain, those would have been perfect for a demonically inspired race like this!
However, I'm kinda torn on WHAT kind of spell caster it should be. My first thought was Cleric, as the Gnollish god plays a pretty significant role in Gnoll life. Then I thought Druid! And then Warlock. The last seemed tailor made for this- a caster who makes a pact with an extra planar power.
However, Gnolls are stupid. As in 6 intelligence stupid. NOT a good fit for an arcane caster... Plus the fluff that goes along with the class just doesn't gel well with the concept of Gnolls.
Likwise, Druid gave me problems from the start. Gnolls are anything but nature loving, or protective- they are more like a plague upon the land...
Cleric still seems like a good fit, I wanted a Gnoll Shaman- an advisor to the pack leader, medicine man, and a source of supporting magic and some firepower.
Anyone have any other bright ideas, or should I just give it spell casting ability with access to the Cleric spell list. (and perhaps a couple of chosen spells from the Druid and Warlock lists for a more primitive, tribal feel) And just say that Yeenogu grants these gnolls a boost to wisdom and a 2nd level cleric's spell slots.
Base it on the Gnoll Pack Lord, but trade the Incite Rampage, and multi-attack for spellcasting ability. (and some ability score tweaks) It's too bad that this edition didn't include an Evil or Death domain, those would have been perfect for a demonically inspired race like this!