Gnomes
"Sometimes they call gnomes the 'Forgotten Ones' It's not hard to see why. Even more than the Halflings, the gnomes keep to themselves. I think part of this is just because the gnomes aren't really in competition with anyone for anything. If someone else were ever trying to get control of the Ley Lines, there might be a different attitude about the Ley Empire of Gnomekin in future generations. A more... respectful attitude."
~Margrave Arronax Skinner, Elector of Cambreath.
Basic Information
Biological Traits
Gnomes are very small compared to most other races and, with an average height ranging between 3'0"–3'6" and a weight range of 40–45 lbs, gnomes are generally larger and heavier than halflings, though forest gnomes, ranging between 2'1"–2'10" in height and 21–35 lbs in weight, tend to be smaller than halflings, leading some scholars to erroneously classify all gnomish races as "smaller than the halflings". However, while halflings were commonly said to resemble short humans, gnomes were more comparable with elves, with whom they shared pointed ears and high cheekbones, or even dwarves, due to their tendency to grow beards and live underground. Many gnomes had a more feral appearance than either, however, with hair that often sprouted from their heads in odd directions.
Genetics and Reproduction
Gnomes reproduce relatively fast for their long lives; an adaptation for the high mortality rate of the curious little creatures. A medium sized gnome family will have a pair of gnomes and around a dozen children.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Gnomes subsist mostly on root vegetables, with some supplemental meats; they especially enjoy the taste of insects fried in radish butter.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Gnomes tend to live in communal spaces segregated more for safety than privacy. A gnome engineer's lab is generally occupied by only one or two gnomes due to the fact that it may explode rather than a territorial sense, though gnomes can be territorial against other races. All along the Ley Empire of Gnomekin, most gnomes practice a barter system or gift economy, freely borrowing from one another as needed.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Gnomes have oversized noses for their size, which are very sensitive. They use their sense of smell as much as if not more than their sight.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Gnomes love names. They are born with two (a given name and a family name) and have usually acquired at least two more before they've reached adulthood. Throughout their lives, they'll add more names to get just the right sound, and by the time they're ready to spring for a tombstone they usually have to go to a copy editor for space.
It's not uncommon for a gnome to invent or abandon names in the middle of introducing themselves.
Male Names: Alston, Alvyn, Boddynock, Brocc, Burgell, Dimble, Eldon, Erky, Fonkin, Frug, Gerbo, Gimble, Glim, Jebeddo, Kellen, Namfoodle, Orryn, Roondar, Seebo, Sindri, Warryn, Wrenn, Zook
Female Names: Bimpnottin, Breena, Caramip, Carlin, Donella, Duvamil, Ella, Ellyjobell, Ellywick, Lilli, Loopmottin, Lorilla, Mardnab, Nissa, Nyx, Oda, Orla, Roywyn, Shamil, Tana, Waywocket, Zanna
Clan Names: 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
Major Organizations
As far as it's concerned, all gnomes are members of the Ley Empire of Gnomekin. Rock Gnomes also significantly contribute to society in Karakadaw, and Forest Gnomes can be found in tribes across Seaudyr and beyond. They sometimes take part in local political or economic affairs.
Courtship Ideals
Gnomes are strictly monogamous and mate for life. They are thus understandably choosy about who they tie themselves to, and their courtships emphasize adventuring and exploration, seeing their intended in any situation to learn more about them before settling down.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Gnomes speak gnomish, a unique language. Gnomish writing is in glyphs; pictures that encode enormous amounts of information in a relatively small space. For ease of communicating with outsiders, gnomes have transliterated a simplified version of her speech into the dwarven script, which in itself is a degenerate form of the language of the Titans.
Forest Gnomes have not transliterated their speech, though elf allies have a version of it in the elven script.
Common Etiquette Rules
Gnomes borrow freely from among each other, and they are expected to be charitable and hospitable to outsiders.
Common Dress Code
Gnomes often dress in garish colors, adopting personal 'uniforms' that make them easy to pick out of a crowd by color and pattern.
Common Taboos
Gnomes may borrow freely from each other, but theft is shocking to most gnomes.
History
According to lore, the gnomes are crossovers from the Feywild; colonists come to explore the world and map out its Ley Lines. They forged themselves an empire not of geography, but of Ley Cartography.
For millennia this political body has stood, slowly spreading, sending out small colonies to live near and care for the Ley Lines. According to the gnomes themselves, they've increased the output of the lines by 250% and accelerating, though they can't honestly explain to anyone what precisely that means.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Gnomes are often overlooked by other races. The Dwarves use them for their tinkering and alchemy skills, and the human mages traffic with them for their magical knowledge. The Greenskins enjoy raiding gnome settlements.
Lifespan
Usually up to 300 years, but 500 not unheard of; physically show aging but do not become infirm
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
The skin of gnomes runs in hue from reddish tans to earthy browns or even shades of gray, with exact hue somewhat dependent upon the ethnic origin of a gnome. Similarly, gnomish hair varies wildly in color from blond and brown to more exotic colors like white, orange, or even green. Gnomish eyes are often—particularly in individuals who are native to the Feywild—glittering black or blue, although more natural eye colors are also known to the race.
Related Organizations
Related Ethnicities
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