Gnome

"And then the whole thing exploded into a million jillion pieces! [gasp] I never saw anything like it in my life!"

Ingenious and full of energy, gnomes are considered to be distant descendants of the fey. Slightly shorter than the halfling, and with long pointy ears similar to the elves, this small-framed race compensates for the lack of muscle with ever working brains and a great aptitude for invention. Even though their inventions have a bad habit of blowing up, no one can stay mad at a gnome. Their cheerful attitude, curiosity, and humor put the gnomes among the most likely to have a good feast or a carefree dance.
Apart from their joyful side, they have created some of the most impressive mechanical wonders of Toriel. Some gnomes, in the elemental plane of air, managed to build flying ship, when other back on the material planes, made the prototype of flintlocks. Those inventions are all reputed to be results of gnomish brilliance, but the secret of their invention is kept within the Lightfoot land. If you are looking for a gnome in a populated city, you just have to wait for the explosion to guide your steps.

Culture

A gnome is rarely bored and tries to savor every minute, for life is full of opportunities to learn, to help others, and to have fun.
Gnomes are born with a fascination for learning fueled by an irrepressible curiosity. Most individuals settle on a specialized area of study such as an aspect of the natural world, a particular method of invention, or the patterns that underlie the multiverse.
Though this pursuit of knowledge might compel a gnome to spend long periods in the workshop or the laboratory, the activity is never seen as drudgery — quite the opposite. Gnomes enjoy making an unexciting aspect of life more enjoyable, such as inventing a shovel that whistles a tune to lighten the toil of digging, or creating a telescoping fork that can reach across the table to enliven mealtime.
Their fun-loving attitude also comes through in the form of jokes that gnomes tell to, or about, their companions, and in the good-spirited pranks that they play on each other — and on other folk (who might not always appreciate being the target of their humor).
Gnomes aren’t overly goal-oriented as they pursue their interests. To them, the journey and the destination are one and the same, and an achievement at the end of one journey is merely the first step toward the next accomplishment.
Even though failure, disappointment, and dead ends are recurring obstacles on the path to discovery, gnomes revel in the search. They savor the acquisition of new knowledge, realizing it might come at a cost, and even a series of bad results in experiments doesn’t dissuade a gnome from following their chosen path.

Last rites

Gnomes have a tradition as the Last Ritual for the deceased among their kind. When a gnome passes away, their body is buried in a location of lush vegetation, such as a grove, a mushroom field underground, or an oasis in a desert. Before burial, a seed is placed in the gnome's mouth. As the seed grows, it gives rise to new vegetation, whether it be a tree, a bush, or a mushroom, depending on the environment.
Gnomes believe that the growth of this vegetation facilitates the deceased's soul journey to the afterlife. It is considered a grave offense to neglect offering this final ritual to a deceased gnome.

Characteristics

Physical features

A gnome’s energy and enthusiasm for living shines through every inch of his or her tiny body. Gnomes average slightly over 3 feet tall and weigh 40 to 45 pounds. Their tan or brown faces are usually adorned with broad smiles, and their bright eyes shine with excitement. Their fair hair has a tendency to stick out in every direction, as if expressing the gnome’s insatiable interest in everything around. Gnome are similar looking to halfling, if no for the added energy and the long pointy ears.
A gnome’s personality is writ large in his or her appearance. A male gnome’s beard, in contrast to his wild hair, is kept carefully trimmed but often styled into curious forks or neat points. A gnome’s clothing, though usually made in modest earth tones, is elaborately decorated with embroidery, embossing, or gleaming jewels.

Biology

Gnomes possess recessive genes, making half-gnome offspring impossible. When gnomes breed with other species, their children will always inherit the characteristics of the non-gnome parent.

Mental traits

As far as gnomes are concerned, being alive is a wonderful thing, and they squeeze every ounce of enjoyment out of their three to five centuries of life. Humans might wonder about getting bored over the course of such a long life, and elves take plenty of time to savor the beauties of the world in their long years, but gnomes seem to worry that even with all that time, they can’t get in enough of the things they want to do and see.
Gnomes speak as if they can’t get the thoughts out of their heads fast enough. Even as they offer ideas and opinions on a range of subjects, they still manage to listen carefully to others, adding the appropriate exclamations of surprise and appreciation along the way.
Though gnomes love jokes of all kinds, particularly puns and pranks, they’re just as dedicated to the more serious tasks they undertake. Many gnomes are skilled engineers, alchemists, tinkers, and inventors. They’re willing to make mistakes and laugh at themselves in the process of perfecting what they do, taking bold (sometimes foolhardy) risks and dreaming large.

Subraces

Rock Gnomes

A visitor’s first steps into a rock gnome warren are accompanied by the sounds of industry — hammers rapping on metal, chisels chewing wood, cauldrons bubbling, and a host of assorted squeaks, pings, and whistles. Against this backdrop, the halls echo with the voices of rock gnome inventors jabbering at near unintelligible speed about their latest ideas, and the hubbub is occasionally punctuated by a big bang or the abrupt collapse of some unstable contraption.
To rock gnomes, life is a combination of scavenger hunts and periods of bold experimentation. First they get materials from within the earth (usually thanks to deep gnomes), and then they figure out what they can create or invent using those resources. The discovery of a new vein of metal — whether tin, copper, silver, or gold — makes rock gnomes clap their hands with glee, but they are happiest of all when they find a cache of gems, particularly diamonds.
Individual rock gnomes have different ideas about what sorts of inventions are the most satisfying to create, with some favoring practicality and others more interested in artistic expression. In each group, there are those who prefer to practice the alchemical arts and those whose talents lean toward the creation of mechanical devices. Every warren has members of each persuasion, and they are all bound by mutual respect for what they do despite their different perspectives.
Rock gnomes who take a more scientific approach to inventing are the ones responsible for creating technological devices that make life easier. Even an invention as simple as a new kind of rake is celebrated, and that advance might later be superseded by someone who modifies it in a way that makes it more efficient or more enjoyable to use.
These inventors are rarely reluctant to try making devices of exceptional power, even if one might not work at first the way it was intended to. The gnomes know that it’s always possible for someone else to learn from an inventor’s mistakes, so even a failed experiment is a success in some way. Every minor explosion or other incident of turmoil in a gnome city serves as a clue about what not to do next time — unless, of course, the goal was to make something explode.
Imagination runs wild in the mind of a gnome. Any fresh idea can be the starting point for a new journey of experimentation and discovery. Even though rock gnomes appreciate the practical aspects of their endeavors, they also find satisfaction in creating items that have no true usefulness. Many an invention is celebrated just for being beautiful to behold or for being complex and intricate in its construction, and the artists who create such things are as esteemed as those who specialize in designing tools.
Exploration is a part of invention, as the gnomes see it, so there’s nothing wrong with creating machines and artifacts that seem to have no purpose. The gnomes who produce these works of art are using new ideas and new approaches, breaking through old boundaries and advancing the frontier of knowledge. For instance, an artist might create a beautiful articulated sculpture whose pieces can be manipulated in a unique way. Another artisan might take that idea and apply it to a new form of invention — but no one forgets that it was the artist’s idea that blazed the trail for that journey.

Alchemists

Rock gnome alchemists explore the nature of minerals and chemicals, curious to see what happens when they mix certain substances with other compounds or with raw magic. Most alchemists, even those who busy themselves with experimentation and new ideas, can produce a number of useful substances, such as alchemist’s fire, antitoxin, super slippery goo, stone melting compound, stirge repellent, and glow-in-the-dark paint.

Artificers

Rock gnome artificers construct exquisitely tooled and enameled pieces of machinery, often weaving magical properties into their work. Artificers often develop a reputation for a particular style and type of work. For example, a friendly gnome artificer might create lovable mechanical pets and companions, while a grumpy gnome might make snapping critter constructs with sharp teeth and claws. Gnome artificers can become famous, with their works highly sought after by nobles, wizards, and other collectors.
An artificer’s inventions might include items such as a lock box that opens with a verbal command or a series of gestures, a clockwork critter designed to respond to simple commands, or a common magic item.

Tinkerers

The creations of tinker gnomes range from the ridiculous to the dangerous. They love to push the art of invention beyond its limits, and to explore the instability of volatile materials. They cackle with glee after an ear-splitting bang, and jump and cavort amid lethal sprays of lightning. Though it might be bizarre and unusual, a working tinker gnome creation is a rare thing, and highly prized. Such inventions include the following:

• A chain-driven tomato smasher that is also able to fly
• A lightning-powered portable rat-zapper — good for keeping out the vermin
• A floating metal facsimile of a beholder, complete with disintegrating eye rays
• A flock of exploding parrots

These inventors are delighted by every explosion, every melted mess, and every heap of smoking wreckage. Failure is part of the eventual solution and something to be celebrated. A truly epic failure might be cause for a great celebration in the community.
When they are at work, rock gnomes hole up in their workshops with “Do Not Disturb” signs hung on the door. It isn’t uncommon for gnomes who are working on their projects to spend most of their time in seclusion, and even when they emerge (for meals or other reasons), they are often deep in thought and oblivious of their surroundings.

Forest Gnomes

As the companions of nature and its animals, forest gnomes learn from their surroundings as if from a master teacher. They create lovely gardens, organic sculptures, and wondrous emerald jewelry — that precious green stone being their favorite of all gems.
Forest gnome are the closest to their fey origin, and still share many of their power with their fey cousin. Forest gnomes can communicate with many of the small animals of the woods. Squirrels, raccoons, foxes, weasels, owls, rabbits, robins, hummingbirds, and more are their allies and friends. Outsiders often think of these creatures as the gnomes’ pets, but the gnomes treat them more like trusted neighbors.
When strangers approach a woodland inhabited by forest gnomes, the gnomes often know about it while such visitors are still miles away. Speedy squirrels run through the treetops, each trying to be the first to warn the gnomes and earn a sweet treat. Birds trill a special call that alerts the gnomes to danger. At night, nocturnal animals such as owls and bats carry word to the gnomes during times when they should be on their guard.
Forest gnomes have innate magical ability, letting them create simple illusions. They practice the use of illusion magic from an early age.
Gnomes use illusions for practically any reason — as a game, for defense, or for communication — and sometimes for no reason other than artistic considerations. A simple illusion can often express a complex idea, such as when the memory of a location is triggered by the illusory sound of a babbling brook that runs through the place. A storytelling session conducted by a group of forest gnomes is a riot of sounds and images that helps give meaning and intensity to the tale being told. It is a kind of entertainment unfathomable by most other races, whose stories and performances are limited by whatever materials are on hand.
The forest gnomes’ playful nature shows through in the illusions they create, even those that have a serious purpose. Forest gnomes spend their spare time experimenting with the creation of never-before-seen illusions, or embellishing the images and sounds they already know how to produce.
The number of ways in which forest gnomes use illusions to have fun is nearly limitless. A few examples: visual enhancements to a mythic tale told by an elder, new and interesting sounds, and false doors and hallways to fool intruders and lead them into traps. (Goblins just can’t pass by a door that calls them names.)
Gnomes make excellent librarians and curators. Give a gnome something to catalog and organize, and you’ll have a happy gnome on your hands.

Frost Gnomes

Frost gnomes are gnomes that have lived in frigid climes for centuries, and are hardier than other gnomes. They tend to have bluish skin and eyes, and white or very pale blue hair, which usually resembles ice or snow in hue. They have an innate connection to magic of the cold, and tend to be found closer to the border with the Ice-peak Concord. They tend to keep wolves and other boreal beasts in their villages, training them to act as pets and hunting companions.

Imago (Chaos Gnomes)

Infused with the spirit of chaos, these gnomes are energetic, flamboyant, and charismatic, having bright, or white hair and beards. They also wear bright colors and are especially fond of bright red and pink hats. They possess an uncanny luck and have great talent as sorcerers. Colorful cousins of gnomes, they are adventurous; even the most staid among them is prone to wander. Although commonly referred to as chaos gnomes, they call themselves “Imago” (singular and plural).

River Gnomes

River gnomes are cousins of forest gnomes who reside in the fresh waters of the realms. Singing behind a waterfall, or drifting lazily downriver. These gnomes form a close bond with animals and wildlife that live in their river. They are defenders of the waters, and will show bravery and ferocity far beyond their size when the river they call their home is threatened.

Svirgneblin (Deep Gnomes)

Deep gnomes, or svirfneblin, are the pragmatic and often grumpy cousins of the gnome family, who live deep underground. The Underdark is full of danger, meaning that deep gnomes spend much of their time simply staying alive. They endure this life because the Underdark also holds incredible treasures: minerals and gemstones, gold, silver, and platinum. The svirfneblin mine these materials whenever they find a new deposit — especially rubies, which they prize above all other treasure. The svirfneblin do take pleasure from success in these mining operations. A thin smile emerges from the stone-like features of a deep gnome who finds a truly remarkable gem, and such a discovery lightens the mood in the enclave for a time.
Deep gnomes are the core of gnomish society in the Lightfoot Kingdom, they provide the ores and minerals that later serve the crazy invention of their surface cousin.
Although they are skilled stonemasons, svirfneblin appreciate the beauty of natural stone and prefer either to carve to accentuate its features or to leave it unchanged. Their architecture is marked by smooth, curving shapes rather than straight lines and hard edges.
Svirfneblin are intensely community-minded and have little concern about privacy among themselves. Thus, they don’t close off living spaces with doors or window coverings. Most of their homes are sparsely furnished dwellings of one or two rooms. Bed spaces, often carved into the cavern walls, are strung with hammocks for each inhabitant, but often are otherwise empty except for stone coffers holding a few personal effects.

Whisper Gnomes

Whisper gnomes may look much like common gnomes, but these gnomes are quiet, suspicious sorts who have a limited control over sound and silence, using it mostly to communicate. Wherever they are found, whisper gnomes are seen by others as spies, informants and recluses. Whisper gnomes are skinny, almost gaunt creatures, and their skin ranges in color from light gray to light green, with dark brown or black hair.

Names

Gnomes love names, and most have half a dozen or so. A gnome’s mother, father, clan elder, aunts, and uncles each give the gnome a name, and various nicknames from just about everyone else might or might not stick over time. Gnome names are typically variants on the names of ancestors or distant relatives, though some are purely new inventions. When dealing with humans and others who are “stuffy” about names, a gnome learns to use no more than two names: a personal name, and a nickname, choosing the one in each category that’s the most fun to say.
Male Names: Alston, Alvyn, Boddynock, Brocc, Burgell, Dimble, Eldon, Erky, Fonkin, Frug, Gerbo, Gimble, Glim, Jebeddo, Kellen, Namfoodle, Orryn, Roondar, Seebo, Sindri, Warryn, Wrenn, Zook
Female Names: Bimpnottin, Breena, Caramip, Carlin, Donella, Duvamil, Ella, Ellyjobell, Ellywick, Lilli, Loopmottin, Lorilla, Mardnab, Nissa, Nyx, Oda, Orla, Roywyn, Shamil, Tana, Waywocket, Zanna
Nicknames: Aleslosh, Ashhearth, Badger, Cloak, Doublelock, Filchbatter, Fnipper, Ku, Nim, Oneshoe, Pock, Sparklegem, Stumbleduck

History

During the great extinction, gnome settlements were annihilated, similarly to the elves, they were almost entirely killed, thankfully, some tribes, in the feywild, came back to the material plane, and new tribes of gnomes could grow, hiding from the dragons.
During that era, the gnomes were those discovering the Dragonite, and its fairly explosif use, their ingenious minds hatching a plan to win against the dragon. But as expected, this attempt was short-lived, the gnome considered as an ally of the giant were hunted down by the dragon and their followers, forced to seek shelter among the halfling.
Since the union of halfling, gnome, and verdan under the common banner of the Lightfoot Land, they keep on creating new wanders, work of mechanical art. Activating those inventions with a mix of magic and mechanical engineering.

General Information

Scientific name
Homo gēnomos
Geographic Distribution
Lightfoot Land
Languages
Common, Gnomish

Physiologie

Average Lifespan
300 years (may vary widely depending on the individual)
Size
Small
Average Height
0.91‒1.2 m
Average Weight
18‒20 kg

Others