Gnome
The gnomes of Golarion are a wounded race.
Originally denizens of a strange and alien
realm that exists “behind” the reality of this
world—a realm known as the First World the
gnome race still bears the trauma of its ancient migration
from a realm of impossibilities to a realm firmly rooted
in reality. As a result, every gnome constantly seeks new
and exciting experiences on a regular basis, for a gnome
who grows bored with reality runs the risk of succumbing
to a dreadful malady known as the Bleaching. This
need for constant new experiences, paired with their
unconventional ethics, has caused the race to be perceived
as fickle and chaotic, but also as innovative, daring, and
radically progressive.
The first records of otherworldly gnome trailblazers scouting the land date back to some point within the Age of Anguish, but to this day, the reason for the race’s exodus from the First World remains a mystery, even to the gnomes. The vibrant First World was a place of wonders for the gnomes. Their ageless life and never-ending pranks were sources of continuous delight. Uprooted from this ancestral home, gnomes never healed from the spiritual wound the separation caused, resulting in an affliction known as the Bleaching.
When born, a young gnome’s skin, hair, and eyes are vibrant in color, and they remain that way during her first years. From adulthood on, these features are subject to radical change depending on the individual’s experiences. Those gnomes who exist in an unchanging environment see their colors fade and their sanity wither, while those with a knack for the new remain lively and vibrant. The Bleaching generally doesn’t strike younger gnomes, but as gnomes age it becomes more and more of a worry. As the Bleaching progresses, the gnome’s mind decays and she slips further into madness and dementia. In most cases, the Bleaching ends in death— but in rare instances a gnome can survive the Bleaching. These pallid creatures are known as bleachlings.
Once a gnome begins to suffer from the Bleaching, she must seek out new experiences to mitigate her boredom.
Gnomes tend toward eccentric pursuits and are attracted to objects that help to “anchor” them to Golarion and delay the Bleaching. Besides collecting stories and friends, they favor mechanical gadgets, riddles, f lamboyant outfits, nicknames, perfumes, and other distinct items. Throughout their lives, most gnomes have many intimate relationships, but they rarely engage in long-lasting ties. Lifetime bonding or marriage is extremely rare. Usually, a gnome family is loosely organized (if organized at all), and the vigorous children are taught the ways of life by the community until they are grown enough to learn from their own experiences.
Male gnome names are often unnecessarily long, multisyllabic, and intentionally difficult to pronounce. Female names reverse the male conventions, being simple and short, although many females claim their names are actually short for something.
The first records of otherworldly gnome trailblazers scouting the land date back to some point within the Age of Anguish, but to this day, the reason for the race’s exodus from the First World remains a mystery, even to the gnomes. The vibrant First World was a place of wonders for the gnomes. Their ageless life and never-ending pranks were sources of continuous delight. Uprooted from this ancestral home, gnomes never healed from the spiritual wound the separation caused, resulting in an affliction known as the Bleaching.
When born, a young gnome’s skin, hair, and eyes are vibrant in color, and they remain that way during her first years. From adulthood on, these features are subject to radical change depending on the individual’s experiences. Those gnomes who exist in an unchanging environment see their colors fade and their sanity wither, while those with a knack for the new remain lively and vibrant. The Bleaching generally doesn’t strike younger gnomes, but as gnomes age it becomes more and more of a worry. As the Bleaching progresses, the gnome’s mind decays and she slips further into madness and dementia. In most cases, the Bleaching ends in death— but in rare instances a gnome can survive the Bleaching. These pallid creatures are known as bleachlings.
Once a gnome begins to suffer from the Bleaching, she must seek out new experiences to mitigate her boredom.
Gnomes tend toward eccentric pursuits and are attracted to objects that help to “anchor” them to Golarion and delay the Bleaching. Besides collecting stories and friends, they favor mechanical gadgets, riddles, f lamboyant outfits, nicknames, perfumes, and other distinct items. Throughout their lives, most gnomes have many intimate relationships, but they rarely engage in long-lasting ties. Lifetime bonding or marriage is extremely rare. Usually, a gnome family is loosely organized (if organized at all), and the vigorous children are taught the ways of life by the community until they are grown enough to learn from their own experiences.
Male gnome names are often unnecessarily long, multisyllabic, and intentionally difficult to pronounce. Female names reverse the male conventions, being simple and short, although many females claim their names are actually short for something.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Ava, Bani, Besh, Dei, Fijit, Gant, Lim, Lini, Nefi, Majet, Pai, Queck, Trin, Zheit
Masculine names
Abroshtor, Bastarger, Halungalom, Kremernesh, Krolmnite, Lumrolur, Nulrakgrult, Poshment, Quokgol, Sarzuket, Tenzekil, ongtokl,
Varknarnost, Xurshuklo, Zatqualmie
Family names
Frothelthimble, Garishgnawing, Palepartlinger, Thicketbotter
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