Category: Personal

Just about me.

Gnolls, Hyenas and “Matriarchy”

I’ve been catchup on my Slovenly Trulls episodes, now that I once again have time to listen to slay feminists Dungeons & Dragons lore podcasts. Recently I listened to Gnoll & Beholder1 Shardae & Lyssa Episode #53 “Gnoll & Beholder” (1 August 2025) The Slovenly Trulls and was entertained by Shardae and Lyssa puzzling over the oddity that gnolls are, in all other lore, misogynistic patriarchal assholes… but in Monster Manual IV (2006)2 “Monster Manual IV” (July 2006, Wizards of the Coast, Seattle WA), at 67-71 and Dragon Magazine #367 (2008),3 Keith Baker “Playing Gnolls” in Dragon Magazine #368 Editor-in-Chief: (September 2008, Wizards of the Coast, Seattle WA), at 47-54 it seems to claim it’s a matriarchy, and specifically explains that the female gnolls are indistinguishable form the males?

What happened around 2006 – 2008 that inspired this fascination with the ideas of gnolls being a reverse patriarchy with reverse dimorphism… that seemed unsourced and faded away?

Or to put it another way, why we all briefly agree that female gnolls had massive alpha male big dick energy? What was the “magic” element?

Allow me to offer my not so humble theory as a wise old man who was active in a bunch of online communities at the time.

Continue reading Gnolls, Hyenas and “Matriarchy”
  • 1
    Shardae & Lyssa Episode #53 “Gnoll & Beholder” (1 August 2025) The Slovenly Trulls
  • 2
    “Monster Manual IV” (July 2006, Wizards of the Coast, Seattle WA), at 67-71
  • 3
    Keith Baker “Playing Gnolls” in Dragon Magazine #368 Editor-in-Chief: (September 2008, Wizards of the Coast, Seattle WA), at 47-54

Ernie Gygax is dead, he remains dead.

On 28 February 2025, after numerous health struggles and incidents, in the company of his sister and her family – Ernie Gygax passed away.1 Obituary of Ernest Gary Gygax Junior (Legacy.com) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/ernest-gygax-obituary?id=57714235 Luke Gygax wrote a touching announcement on his Facebook page,2 Luke Gygax (Facebook, USA, 1 March 2025) <www.facebook.com> and has continued to share his personal feelings about the struggle of losing a father and an older brother, while being supported by a great community.

This is not about how the tragedy of Ernie’s death impacts me, or sharing memories I had about him. I didn’t know him. I feel a certain amount of empathy to those he left behind, and for that reason I encourage them not to read this post. This post isn’t about memories or feelings about Ernie Gygax.

Rather it’s about the heartless exploitation of the memory of his public presence now he’s dead, and how traditional “be polite” moderation methods fail in these situations.

And, it’s rough – I don’t wish dealing with it on anyone.

Continue reading Ernie Gygax is dead, he remains dead.