Deep Gnomes are very rarely seen by others, for they live hidden within the many caverns and lairs beneath Tellene’s surface. As with elves and dark elves, deep gnomes are shunned by their aboveground
relatives. Deep gnomes are as sullen, withdrawn and suspicious as the other gnomes tell. Deep gnomes are an antisocial, warlike race. They live in isolated cities where they war with other races for domination
of the underground world. While deep gnomes are slightly more benign than their foes, they are often just as quick to judge–and destroy–outsiders who venture into their realms. The rare and reclusive mythar have muscular forearms, hairy bodies and thick, powerful hands. Their skin is steel gray to flat obsidian in color, and their eyes range from maroon to mahogany to jet.
The largest cities of the deep gnomes are underneath the Jorakk Mountains, where forest gnome legends talk of the grand cities of bustling Melkevia, the crystalline towers of Azurtal and the labyrinthine streets of Chadoka. Deep gnomes generally worship a single patron deity chosen by the ruler of their city. The idea of free Religion is strange to them. The Liberator, the Old Man, the Speaker of the Word and Queen Destiny are all worshiped in one city or another. A few cultural dissenters might worship any of the gods. Of those, Hatemonger, the Watcher and the True are the most popular. Few deep gnomes have even heard of the Traveler, Ablutor, the Great Huntress, or the Storm Lord.
ROLE-PLAYING A DEEP GNOME
Dour, sullen, withdrawn, distrusting, and aggressive;
sounds like a recipe for intra-party friction. Not necessarily.
A deep gnome will spend the first few days or weeks
watching his new companions, judging what they capable
of, sizing up their personalities, and generally keeping to
himself. Until he has made up his own mind, any
approaches toward friendship by his companions are
likely to be met with a frosty reception. When he is satisfied
that he has found out all he needs to know, the deep
gnome will place his companions into one of two
categories, friend or not-friend (which is different than
enemy).
Having a distrusting character in the party can be
beneficial if it is played well. So the high priest has asked
you to retrieve some evil book so he can lock it away. Is
that his only reason for getting hold of the tome? Why
did the merchant knock 20% off the price of that ring so
quickly? Do not confuse distrusting with paranoid. Not
everyone is out to rob, kill, or swindle you, and not every
NPC is at the heart of a conspiracy. Deep gnomes are
distrusting because they are used to having to compete for
resources, not because everyone is out to get them. To a
deep gnome, there truly is no such thing as a free lunch.
Having religious choice is also unknown to deep
gnomes. A deep gnome character is not going to start
burning down rival temples, but he may question his
companions as to why people have this choice. Which
brings us onto another vital aspect of the deep gnome
psyche when adventuring above ground – everything is
new. Query everything, ask what common aboveground
objects are (such as trees) and question their purpose, why
they are the color they are, where they came from. Ask
why it rains, what those lights in the roof are. Remember
not to be totally annoying, though. This is not a game of
20 questions; it is supposed to be a learning experience for
your character.
You can also be humorous in your approach. When you
first see a dog, kneel down and bark back at it (you have
no idea what the creature is), threaten to kill the howling
cat before it finishes casting its spell, fall to your knees
when it thunders in case the roof collapses. Again, avoid
becoming annoying and everyone should enjoy the
experience.
Deep gnomes also prefer the direct approach. You do
not parley with the orcs in the ruined temple; you go in
there and kill them. You do not negotiate with bandits
extorting food from a village; you kill them so there is no
competition for resources. Aggression and a war-like
disposition do not equal stupidity. Deep gnomes are used
