Gnome
A constant hum of busy activity pervades the warrens and neighbourhoods where gnomes form their close-knit communities. Louder sounds punctuate the hum: a crunch of grinding gears here, a minor explosion there, a yelp of surprise or triumph, and especially bursts of laughter. Gnomes take delight in life, enjoying every moment of invention, investigation, creation and play, and a gnome’s energy and enthusiasm for living shines through every inch of his or her tiny body.
Averaging slightly over 3 feet tall and weighing around 40 pounds, their tan or brown faces are usually adorned with broad smiles (beneath prodigious noses) and bright eyes shine with excitement. Their fair hair has a tendency to stick out in every direction, as if expressing the gnome’s insatiable interest in everything around. A male’s beard, in contrast to his wild hair, is kept carefully trimmed but often styled into curious forks or neat points. A gnome’s clothing, though usually made in modest earth tones, will be elaborately decorated with embroidery, embossing or gleaming jewels.
As far as gnomes are concerned, being alive is a wonderful thing and they squeeze every ounce of enjoyment out of their three to five centuries of life. Humans may wonder about getting bored over the course of such a long life, and elves take their time to savour the beauties of the world over their long years, but gnomes seem to worry that, even with all that time, they can’t get enough of the things they want to do and see.
Gnomes frequently speak as if they can’t get the thoughts out of their heads fast enough. They love jokes of all kinds, particularly puns and pranks, but are dedicated when undertaking more serious tasks. They’re willing to make mistakes and laugh at themselves in the process of perfecting what they do, taking bold (sometimes foolhardy) risks and dreaming large. Many gnomes are skilled engineers, alchemists, tinkers, and inventors.
Gnomes generally make their homes in hilly, wooded lands, preferring to live underground but getting fresh air and enjoying the natural, living world on the surface whenever they can. In rural areas, their homes will be hidden by both clever construction and simple illusions; those who have chosen to live urban lifestyles may have more customary abodes, but they will invariably be protected by ingenious locks and traps for the uninvited.
Whether as a profession or a hobby, most gnomes like to craft or invent things, and all have an innate curiosity about unusual, innovative or magical things. Gnomes who settle in human lands are commonly gemcutters, jewellers, artisans, tinkers, engineers or alchemists, but sages and magic users are not rare.
Ancestry
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Gnomes love names, and most have half a dozen or so. A gnome’s mother, father, clan elder, aunts and uncles each give the gnome a name, and various nicknames from just about everyone else might or might not stick over time. Gnome names are typically variants on the names of ancestors or distant relatives, though some are purely new inventions. When dealing with humans and others who are “stuffy” about names, a gnome learns to use no more than three names: a personal name, a clan name, and a nickname, choosing the one in each category that’s the most fun to say.
Male: Alston, Alvyn, Boddynock, Brocc, Burgell, Dimble, Eldon, Erky, Fonkin, Frug, Gerbo, Gimble, Glim, Jebeddo, Kellen, Namfoodle, Orryn, Roondar, Seebo, Sindri, Warryn, Wrenn, Zook
Female: Bimpnottin, Breena, Caramip, Carlin, Donella, Duvamil, Ella, Ellyjobell, Ellywick, Lilli, Loopmottin, Lorilla, Mardnab, Nissa, Nyx, Oda, Orla, Roywyn, Shamil, Tana, Waywocket, Zanna
Clan: Beren, Daergel, Folkor, Garrick, Nackle, Murnig, Ningel, Raulnor, Scheppen, Timbers, Turen
Nicknames: Aleslosh, Ashhearth, Badger, Cloak, Doublelock, Filchbatter, Fnipper, Ku, Nim, Oneshoe, Pock, Sparklegem, Stumbleduck
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