"What makes a gnome? What differs them from a halfling, a human, or dare I ponder an elf? While we share many physical traits to our halfling cousins, while they prefer to slumber the day away with a pint we are creating the new 'morrow. Mining for supplies, crafting new gizmos, and continuing to perfect it until it is the best quality, and then repeating it all over again. You want a two-bit thief only available when their passions are awoken; Hire a halfling. You want someone who can repair your gear, hunt your food, and increase your durability? You have found your man." - Arthur Attlebottom, Resume of Introduction to the Adventurer's Guild
Gnomes are most known as the adventurous inventors of Alanor, either working in their shops to determine how things work to be re-engineered, or out in the world searching for more items to research. Gnomes and their curiosity make for great craftsmen, researchers, and even historians to a lesser degree. They are most commonly trying to scratch an itch of knowledge and most actions they take are in persuit of expanding it.
While some gnomes will resort to simpler lives as farmers, assistants, or bookkeepers, many gnomes prefer hands-on applications, many traveling in adventuring parties to check for traps, or rather, investigate and research them. Gnomes are known for being a tedious people, always taking their time with things they work or think on, leading to seemingly indecisiveness when a decision needs made. Gnomes are deep thinkers, even when completing menial tasks. A gnome working to gather supplies in a mine will already be formulating what items they need, what their applications could be, and have a goal set out to meet prior to ever picking up the pickaxe. Some gnomes tend to think more casually, which is the polite way of saying they are 'the stupid' or 'less ambitious' ones according to other gnomes. Farming and other menial tasks are understood to be important to survival, just less stimulating than using one's mind to the fullest. This often makes gnomes slow to come to a decision, but once one is made, putting all of their effort into that single task until it is complete.
Lifespan of a Gnome:
Gnomes are known to live roughly 300 years on average, with many living beyond those years in less physical lifestyles. Gnomes often spend their 'childhood' years tinkering with makeshift creations such as weaving dolls or making rudimentary busts. Once they are physically mature enough to venture out and adventure this is often the deciding factor for the remainder of the gnome's life. Some take it in stride, seeing no issue in venturing out with strangers they met in the first major town and assisting them in clearing ruins or caves, simply to explore and gather resources they can re-use along the way. Others may find that the world is too large for them to explore, or do not share the same yearning for travel as some of their counterparts, and thus will most likely find a job in the nearest settlement to gain an apprenticeship to a merchant or other craftsmen.
Gnome Cultural Traits:
Like other species, gnomes are used to adapting, in fact, they revel in it. It's well known that some gnomes live almost exclusively in underground caverns, mining or exploring where most humans wouldn't dare venture. Others travel above-ground and visit nearly all corners of the continent. Regardless of where they reside, all gnomes have a similar desire for devotion. Whatever their chosen path is, they are highly driven to see it through, even despite possible danger, leading some to believe it is hard-wired in their blood by a god of ambition or invention. However a gnome makes their way in life, they are sure to give it their all.
