Forest gnomes appear servile and fawning with others. They are not really sycophants, but constant flattery and self-deprecation are part of their culture. They are almost obsessive about cleanliness, and they dislike dirt and disorder in their homes. Forest gnomes place great importance on appearance and image.
Strangers often think that this attitude means that Gnomes are weak and easy to exploit. In fact, attempting to abuse forest gnomes can be lethal. While a gnome might readily admit when she is defeated (and claim that luck was on her side when victorious), she fights fiercely and skillfully in defense of home, family or virtue. Forest gnomes are taller than rock gnomes, with bushy eyebrows and beards, wiry frames and easygoing personalities. Their skin varies from that of a lightly tanned
Kalamaran to the deep brown of a teak side table. Their eyes have earthy colors, and their hair ranges from sandy blonde to auburn to chestnut. Clothes range from untanned hides to embroidered satin robes, depending on the gnome’s wealth. Regardless of the clothing, it is likely to be neat and in good repair.
Forest gnomes live in the
Fautee Forest, the
Rokk Woods, the Kalasali Woods and other woods. The
Raiser, the
Peacemaker, Caregiver, the Liberator, the Eye Opener and the
Bear all have followings. The Liberator is the most popular, and a large number of forest gnomes join or aid the Brotherhood of the Broken Chain. Among evil forest gnomes, the
Vicelord and the
Confuser of Ways are prominent. In any case, large temples are rare, since forest gnomes prefer informal worship at a household shrine to bustling congregations.
Forest gnomes use the standard Gnome abilities, except for the following:
See Kalamar Player’s Guide for info.
ROLE-PLAYING A FOREST GNOME
Playing a forest gnome is slightly different than playing
a rock gnome. Forest gnomes go less for pranks, but are
renowned as sycophants, self-depreciative, and masters of
the spoken word.
A player character forest gnome should go out of his
way to praise other characters’ deeds and endeavors
without making it sound like he wants something in
return. Flattery does not mean that you are brownnosing,
simply commenting on a deed well done. This
praise must also be sincere; forest gnomes do not praise
failure with sarcasm! Saying, “Well, didn’t you do well!” in
a sarcastic tone is not forest gnome-like. Rather, say
something like, “A most unfortuitous swing! If he hadn’t
slipped, you would have had him!”
In return, remember not to accept praise. Yes, heroes
like to boast, but forest gnomes do not. You may have just
single-handedly slaughtered ten orcs, but it was more
likely due to their suffering from some illness that
reduced their effectiveness in battle than your sheer
brilliance with the blade. Fellow players may start
ignoring your feats after a few weeks of this behavior, but
do not let them. Just because you put it all down to luck
(or some other factor beyond your control), this does not
mean that they should not praise you. Once they start
dropping the praise, start using very subtle barbs to mock
their own not-so-great deeds.
Forest gnomes are masters of subtle insults. Any lout
can call someone a few choice names, but a true insult
should go almost unnoticed (the art is in making the
victim realize he has been insulted after you have left).
Telling a noble that you think his beloved daughter is
“uglier than a cow’s ass” is not polite and certainly not
subtle. Much better to say, “Her dress certainly improves
her appearance,” or, “Isn’t it amazing what makeup can do
to a woman’s appearance?” Both are insults, but are less
likely to get you thrown in the dungeons, at least immediately
anyway.
