Gnome

Gnomes are an overly inquisitive and curious race, often getting themselves into danger or trouble. They're always trying to tinker with the way things work or function. They will tinker with magical or mechanical devices just to see if there's a way to make them better or just to see how they work. Gnomes have been known to put so much of their time and energy into research & development of new mechanical devices or new magics that they lose track of all time.
A constant hum of busy activity pervades the warrens and neighborhoods 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, exploration, investigation, creation, and play. Gnomes average 3 to 3 1/2 feet tall and weigh about 45-50 lbs. Their skin is a Pale white color depending on where they are living, with  hair ranging from bone white to midnight blue, china-blue to violet eyes. Males have soft white beards and mustaches, females are beardless. Both sexes develop facial wrinkles after the age of 50. Gnomes are very short and stocky, though their movement is quick and their hands are deft and sure. They have rounded ears and large noses.
Relations Gnomes get along well with dwarves, who share their curiosity with mechanical devices, and their dislike for orcs and giants (some hatreds run deep.) They have lost their distrust/suspicion of the taller races -- Humans, Elves, Half-elves and Half-orcs, after years of living in large cities and populated areas. Gnomes are avid traders, always trying to find new gadgets or materials to fuel their need to tinker and invent. Some Goblins have shown an adeptness for tinkering been "adopted" into Gnomish society to let their creativity and skill run wild.