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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

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Kholo

Source Monster Core pg. 208
Kholo are tall, hyena-headed humanoids who dwell in savannas, warm grasslands, and arid hills. Given their appearance, their affinity for hyenas should not be surprising; kholos share their homes, food, and even many of their behaviors with these animals. Much like hyenas, kholos have a notorious reputation, for much the same reason—their uncanny laughter, frightening intelligence, and efficient pack tactics make them intimidating competition or foes. Kholos are keen to lean into these rumors, using them as a form of psychological warfare against their enemies.

Also like hyenas, kholos prefer to hunt in packs, and are exceptionally skilled at setting up ambushes or separating individual targets from larger groups. As kholo packs value all their members highly, any tactic that gives them an advantage in dangerous situations is seen as virtuous, while chivalry and honor are derided as pointlessly risky. It's a philosophy borne from a deep respect and love for their kholo brethren, but to most other people, it makes kholos terrible neighbors.

Kholos willingly eat nearly any other creature, including dead kholos, which can evoke strong reactions from people and cultures with a taboo against cannibalism or desecrating the dead. To a kholo, it's often more offensive to not eat a dead body, no matter its origin; kholos see no point in wasting precious meat in a harsh and challenging world. Worse still is the refusal to eat the flesh of a dead kholo, which they consider an insult to that kholo's memory and an implication that their flesh is unworthy of consumption. Eating the flesh of honored enemies is, for kholos, a respectful ritual, allowing that being to live on within the pack instead of rotting like trash on the ground.

Kholo women are often larger and stronger than kholo men and are typically considered the leaders of their hunting packs and clans.

Members

Kholo Bonekeeper (Creature 3), Kholo Hunter (Creature 2), Kholo Sergeant (Creature 4)

Sidebar - Locations Kholo Lairs

Kholos dwell primarily on dry savannas and windswept plains. Thanks to their sturdy constitutions and strong survival instincts, they have few qualms about setting up holdings out in the open. Many kholos establish their encampments—typically made up of hide lean-tos and tents—atop sloping hills to better survey the region for potential prey. Kholos rarely dwell in caverns or similar enclosures, knowing that it is all too easy to get cornered when there is only one exit.

Sidebar - Additional Lore Kholo Packs

The most commonly encountered kholo packs are bandits or raiders looking for easy resources to pilfer from unguarded victims. Although not all kholos are such opportunists, they can still be highly unpredictable neighbors. Even kholos who appear to peacefully retreat from an encounter with another group may return at night to set up an opportune ambush. These underhanded tactics are traumatizing enough that kholos are often mistrusted and despised.