Gear Gnome (Klicka' Tick' Kur' Tunk)

Anatomy

Gear Gnomes are similar in appearance to their cousins the Forest Gnomes except that their faces often appear old and gnarled, more akin to Dwarves than to the Halflings their cousins resemble. Indeed, most would deem them irredeemably ugly, but the vast majority of the Klicka’ Tick’ Kur’ Tunk couldn’t care less. They are also the smallest of all the common peoples, rarely topping three feet. Hardier than they look, they have stout bodies and thick skin. Their coloration is less varied than the Forest Gnomes, their skin ranging from ash grey to dark bronze, their eyes usually smaller chips of sapphire, emerald or onyx bright with intelligence, and their hair--if they haven’t burnt it off or pulled it out--flaming red to midnight blue. They prefer functional work clothes, often adorned with innumerable pockets and pouches full of tools and trinkets.

Habitat

The Klicka’ Tick’ Kur’ Tunk live mostly in underground enclaves, the largest being the great factory-city in the fiery bowels of Mt. Uh Oh (“uh Oh” means “ah ha!” as in “eureka!” in Tunkish, but something else to the rest of the world) on the Isle of Fire in the Tanosi Sea. They prefer to live underground, where the scope of their mines--if not the grandeur--rival those of the Dwarves, and where they harness the heat of the planet to help forge their inventions. Some Gear Gnomes have taken to the surface world, either to explore and seek out new materials for their contraptions or to sell their mechanical wonders for exorbitant prices.

Origin

Like their cousins the Forest Gnomes, the Gear Gnomes come directly from the Fey, having arrived shortly after the time of the Dwarves. While the Eivar’ Shibyr remained in their dense and shadowy forests, the Klicka’ Tick’ Kur’ Tunk took to the ground where they could tinker away without interruption from the vicissitudes of the surface world. The only thing that rivals the Gear Gnomes’ love of creating their inventions is to see them put to use (when they actually work), without much regard for the destruction they might cause. Thus they have supplied bombs and skyships and other contraptions to both good and evil forces, which has given them a neutral but also untrustworthy reputation.

Culture

Similar to the other Feyfolk, the Klicka’ Tick’ Kur’ Tunk eschew many of the societal structures adopted by the other peoples of Creacia. However, they do have a nominal king, or Grand Kurtunker, at Mt. Uh Oh, who presumably presides over all the Gear Gnomes of Creacia. Although the Grand Kurtunker has some say over the political and economic affairs of his or her people, most Gear Gnomes rarely listen and are judged instead by the ingenuity and daringness of their inventions. The Klicka’ Tick’ Kur’ Tunk are mostly a peaceable folk simply because they are too involved in their work to care about much else.

Languages

Tunkish (Gear Gnomish), High Common

Player Characters

Abilities

• +3 Intelligence, +2 Dexterity, -2 Wisdom, -1 Strength

• Darkvision up to 60 feet

• Illusion Resistance: Gnomes gain a +2 racial saving throw bonus against illusion spells and effects.

• Obsessive: Gnomes receive a +2 racial bonus on a Craft or Profession skill of their choice.

• Hatred: Gnomes receive a +1 bonus on attack rolls against humanoid creatures of the reptilian and goblinoid subtypes because of their special training against these hated foes.

• Academician: Some gnomes are more academically inclined than their kin. Gnomes with this racial trait gain a +2 bonus on any single Knowledge skill.

• Dirty Trickster: All gnomes love pranks, but some specialize in those improvised during battle. These gnomes gain a +2 racial bonus on dirty trick combat maneuvers. They need not meet the Intelligence requirement to select Combat Expertise, Improved Dirty Trick, and any feat with Improved Dirty Trick as a prerequisite.

• Master Tinker: Gnomes experiment with all manner of mechanical devices. Gnomes with this racial trait gain a +1 bonus on Disable Device and Knowledge (Engineering) checks. They are treated as proficient with any weapon they have personally crafted.

• Alternative traits as listed by Pathfinder

Origin/Ancestry

Fey

Lifespan

140-180 years

Average Height

2-3 Feet

Average Weight

20-45 lbs.

Safyx Searscissors, Alchemist of Calead

Arifiz Fizdar, Wizard of Gathis