Gnome
Gnomes were small humanoids known for their eccentric sense of humor, inquisitiveness, and engineering prowess. Having had few overt influences on the world's history but many small and unseen ones, gnomes were often overlooked by the powers that be, despite their craftiness and affinity for illusion magic. Gnomes were present in nearly every human city and most caravan-stop villages where other cultures and non-human races were at least tolerated.
Gnomes were very small compared to most other races. 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. The skin of gnomes ran 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 varied wildly in color from blond and brown to more exotic colors like white, orange, or even green.
Gnomes were an intelligent and innately curious race and had a strong affinity for all things magical, particularly the arcane. Gnomes might have lacked the drive and ambition of other races, particularly humans, but their creativity gave them a strong ability for ingenuity.
The Bleaching
The Bleaching was the name given to the physical decolorization and unnatural aging of a gnome, and was caused by a lack of exposure to new and exciting experiences. Gnomish efforts to fend off the Bleaching only served to fuel their racial curiosity and whimsy, giving it somewhat of a manic edge. Some claimed that the Bleaching was a result of the gnomes' leaving the realms of the fey thousands of years ago, though this was unproven. The Bleaching manifested itself as a blanching of skin, hair, and eye color during early adulthood. From there on, the complexion of the gnomish body was tied to the experiences it alighted upon. The more shocking and vivid a gnome’s life, the more vivid they themself became and the longer they would live. In contrast, a lack of excitement caused a fading of color and was accompanied by depression and the dulling of curiosity, heralding the beginning of a vicious spiral that would lead to insanity and death. Due to the effects of the Bleaching, a gnome’s age was not tied to the passing of time. Instead, every year a gnome lived without experiencing new wonders took a toll on their physiology, causing them to age noticeably.Bleachlings
On rare occasions, certain gnomes were able to reverse the Bleaching by rediscovering their zest for life. Rarer still were the individuals who could maintain existence in this emotional void. These individuals, called bleachlings, remained in a suspended state of near-colorlessness, immune to the final touches of the affliction. Much of their skin, hair, and eyes would remain either colorless or in moderate earthly tones, and their demeanors were often calm and dreamlike. It was unknown what gave a gnome the capability of becoming a bleachling, save that the process was almost always accompanied by some sort of dramatic or traumatic event. Bleachlings were functionally immortal (though still quite vulnerable to physical ails and injury), and often inspired awe and fear in fellow gnomes in equal amounts. Some saw bleachlings as grim specters of the inevitability of the Bleaching, while others saw them as inspiring individuals that came back from the very brink of nothingness.Masculine Names
Dortix, Cormop, Manybar, Mervyn, Alji, Jorni, Wilhim, Jepos, Erdon, GalinFeminine Names
Arisany, Breeci, Wrona, Banxis, Domila, Minsys, Yona, Selroe, Cartina, OrdysaGnome Stats and Abilities
Ability Score Increase: Your Intelligence score increases by 2.Size: Gnomes are between 3 and 4 feet tall and weigh around 40 pounds. Your size is Small.
Speed: Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
Languages: You can read, speak, and write one human language (usually Westerling) and Gnomish.
Darkvision: Accustomed to life underground, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Gnome Cunning: You have advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saves against magic.
Subrace: Choose one of the options below.
Forest Gnome
Forest gnomes have a knack for stealth and illusion, and are generally rather secretive. They gather in hidden forest communities, befriending the local fey and animals.Ability Score Increase: Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Natural Illusionist: You know the Minor Illusion cantrip. Intelligence is your spellcasting modifier for it.
Speak with Small Beasts: Through sound and gestures, you may communicate simple ideas with Small or smaller beasts.
Rock Gnome
Rock gnomes are naturally inventive and quite hardy for such a small creature. Also known as tinker gnomes, they are well known for their contraptions, ranging from revolutionary to eccentric.Ability Score Increase: Your Constitution score increases by 1.
Artificer's Lore: Whenever you make an Intelligence (History) check related to magical, alchemical, or technological items, you can add twice your proficiency bonus instead of any other proficiency bonus that may apply.
Tinker: You have proficiency with artisan tools (tinker's tools). Using those tools, you can spend 1 hour and 10 gp worth of materials to construct a Tiny clockwork device (AC 5, 1 hp). The device ceases to function after 24 hours (unless you spend 1 hour repairing it to keep the device functioning), or when you use your action to dismantle it; at that time, you can reclaim the materials used to create it. You can have up to three such devices active at a time. When you create a device, choose one of the following options:
Clockwork Toy: This toy is a clockwork animal, monster, or person, such as a frog, mouse, bird, dragon, or soldier. When placed on the ground, the toy moves 5 feet across the ground on each of your turns in a random direction. It makes noises as appropriate to the creature it represents.
Fire Starter: The device produces a miniature flame, which you can use to light a candle, torch, or campfire. Using the device requires your action.
Music Box: When opened, this music box plays a single song at a moderate volume. The box stops playing when it reaches the song's end or when it is closed.
Svirfneblin
Forest gnomes and rock gnomes are the gnomes most commonly encountered in the lands of the surface world. There is another subrace of gnomes rarely seen by any surface-dweller: deep gnomes, also known as svirfneblin. Guarded, and suspicious of outsiders, svirfneblin are cunning and taciturn, but can be just as kind-hearted, loyal, and compassionate as their surface cousins.Ability Score Increase: Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Superior Darkvision: Your darkvision has a radius of 120 feet.
Gnome Cunning: You have advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic.
Stone Camouflage: You have advantage on Dexterity (stealth) checks to hide in rocky terrain.
Lifespan
Gnomes mature at the same rate as humans, and most are expected to settle into adult life around the age of 40. Gnomes naturally live for hundreds of years, but due to the strange nature of the Bleaching, their maximum lifespans are unknown.
Average Height
3'-4'
Average Weight
40lbs
Gnomish
One Human Language
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