Anatomically Correct Gnolls

Since we're dealing with cat-folk already with the question about the Khajiit, I figured we'd toss a different evolutionary lineage for furry humanoids around, that of the hyena.

Ever since the early days of D&D, the gnoll has been a most curious creature "” a ravenous, bipedal, somewhat-social hyena-folk, as depicted below.

What would the evolutionary path be from the hyenas (presumably the spotted variety, as the rest are pretty strictly antisocial) we know (and occasionally love) to such a race be? Also, what behavioral features would develop, and what physical features would develop or be lost during the course of this evolution?

As always, here is the rest of the Anatomically Correct Series.

posted over 8 years ago

Shalvenay‭

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