Gnome

Gnomes are distant relatives of the fey, and their history tells of a time when they lived in the fey’s mysterious realm, a place where colors are brighter, the wildlands wilder, and emotions more primal. Unknown forces drove the ancient gnomes from that realm long ago, forcing them to seek refuge in this world; despite this, the gnomes have never completely abandoned their fey roots or adapted to mortal culture. Though gnomes are no longer truly fey, their fey heritage can be seen in their innate magic powers, their oft-capricious natures, and their outlooks on life and the world. Gnomes can have the same concerns and motivations as members of other races, but just as often they are driven by passions and desires that non-gnomes see as eccentric at best, and nonsensical at worst. A gnome may risk his life to taste the food at a giant’s table, to reach the bottom of a pit just because it would be the lowest place he’s ever been, or to tell jokes to a dragon—and to the gnome those goals are as worthy as researching a new spell, gaining vast wealth, or putting down a powerful evil force. While such apparently fickle and impulsive acts are not universal among gnomes, they are common enough for the race as a whole to have earned a reputation for being impetuous and at least a little mad. Combined with their diminutive sizes, vibrant coloration, and lack of concern for the opinions of others, these attitudes have caused gnomes to be widely regarded by the other races as alien and strange. Gnomes, in turn, are often amazed how alike other common, civilized races are. It seems stranger to a gnome that humans and elves share so many similarities than that the gnomes do not. Indeed, gnomes often confound their allies by treating everyone who is not a gnome as part of a single, vast non-gnome collective race.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Gnomes are one of the smallest of the common races, generally standing just over 3 feet in height. Despite their small frames, however, gnomes are extremely resilient, and not as weak as many of their foes assume. Though their diminutive stature reduces their ability to move quickly, gnomes often train to take advantage of their size, especially when fighting foes much larger than themselves. They are also mostly hairless, save for the top of their heads.

Additional Information

Average Intelligence

Gnomes are especially intelligent and perceptive of their surroundings. Their intelligence lies in their ability to read emotions and moods well and respond accordingly. They make wonderful diplomats, if ever given the opportunity to represent something or someone.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Gnomes can see in the dark. They sometimes can speak with animals or communicate telepathically, by means of spells. It's not that uncommon for a gnome to awaken as a mystiq, with psi powers from childhood.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

No one, not even gnomes, are truly certain as to why they name their children the way they do. For some, it's an odd prank for years down the line, for others it's simply something they really enjoy mixed with a rather unusual amount of other sounds. Ramblezook, Pennysim, Yelinfist, and so forth are just a handful of examples of names gnomes have been noted with. Family names have around the same level of randomness to them, but in prolific families use the name of a gnome who had a great history to them. Either an epic prank, or a discovery that advanced their people vastly ahead of others.

Beauty Ideals

Gnomes have little regard for beauty, and more for the personality. They believe beauty is a shallow, temporary concept that will always eventually fade and any attempt to prolong it is inevitably a failure.

Gender Ideals

Gnomes pay little acknowledgment to gender. They acknowledge sex, but rarely let it get in the way of their views of a person based off that alone. You may often find many gnomes will describe themselves as somewhere between man and woman.

Relationship Ideals

You can find a gnome with quite literally anybody. Like the surface Dwarves, they have no qualms about intermingling with other species when it comes to marriage and child rearing.

Average Technological Level

Gnomes created some of the fastest growing civilizations known to man. Their abilities to keep masses of people alive with their technological evolutions held up greatly with other species, often granted them good trade. Their most notable invention would be that of the aquaducts.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Gnomes speak Gnomish for the most part. The language features a multitude of tricky sounding syllables and simplified conventions for grammar, typically to get the point across faster. The language itself however, requires incredible amounts of context to be fully understood. It is one of the most difficult languages for someone not raised to speak Gnomish from birth to learn.

Common Etiquette Rules

Gnomes usually need their peace and quiet when conducting research. Interrupting a gnome or coming into his lab during an experiment without said gnome's permission is considered very impolite.

Common Dress Code

Gnomes tend to go for more leathers and hides than anything in their armor and apparel. Neutral colors that keep their agile selves hidden are most favorable.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Gnomes are responsible for many of the advances in magic, specially in the area of illusion. They are capable of keeping whole cities hidden. Engineering, specially in public work projects that mix stonecraft with engineering, are their specialties. Even when living among other races, the gnomes share what they know easily, making sure to improve the life of everyone and not just their own race.

Common Taboos

The act of breaking things is often considered to be a sign of extreme disrespect since Gnome culture so highly values the ideals of crafting.

Lifespan

350-500

Average Height

3'' - 4''

Average Weight

40lb. - 50lb.

Average Physique

Gnomes are small and a mix between hardy and petite. You may often find Gnomes to be quite muscular within their own parameters, but they're still small and agile nonetheless.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Gnomes come in just about all the same tones as humans do, with the exception of some gold undertones.