Gnome

• Inventors and explorers.
• Knack for alchemy.
• Very inquisitive.
• Skilled engineers.
• Prefers to avoid direct confrontation.
• Fey or A.O.D.?
• Many are artists and tinkerers.
• Love new experiences.
• Naturally agreeable attitudes.
• Can be driven by desires and passions other races view as nonsensical.
• Uses their size to their advantage.
• Rarely embarrassed or prideful of appearance.
• Action is better than inaction.
• Often works on multiple projects.
• Impulsive trickster.
• Prone to powerful fits of emotion.
• Natural adventurers: Desire to learn new skills and languages, strong curiosity and wanderlust.
• Many will wander for a good chunk of their lives.
• Seek out adventures for the experiences.
• Rarely lose hope.
• Almost always confident.
• Love exploring.
• Love learning new languages.
• Good knowledge with poisons.
• Excellent tinkerers of mechanical devices.
• Learns from the past and can predict the future.
• Ageless good humor.
• Rarely worry.
• Helpful and benign.
• Decent miners.
• Items
  • A paste to put under nose to enhance smell.
  • Obsession Log: Small books that Gnomes record notes involving their obsessions.
  • Scentbane Incense: A smokestick that when burned it blocks scents.
  • Whistle: High frequency that most races can't hear.

Basic Information

Anatomy

• Humanoid.
• Half the height of a human.
• Small.
• Compact build.
• Large eyes.
• Dark tan-woody brown.
• Beards are short and trimmed.
• Small, slow.
• Physically weak, but hardy.
• Can be obsessive.
• Hair and skin can be very colorful.
• One of the smallest races.
• Other races often think they use dyes to color skin and hair, but most don't.
• Not against cosmetic enhancement.
• Hair colors: Fiery orange, verdant green, deep reds & purples.
• Skin colors: Earth browns, floral pinks, pastel blues, ect.
• Hairy and skin color not heredity.
• Facial features are highly mutable.
• Mouths and eyes are often overly large.
• Some individuals have small facial features.
• Some have a mix of small and large facial features.
• Physically weaker compared to other races so they try to plan for this accordingly.

Biological Traits

• Can live several hundred years.

Ecology and Habitats

• Habitat: Hilly wooded lands.
• Homes are located underground, but they often go to the surface.
• Homes are well hidden.
• Some colonies have been forced above ground.
• Above ground colonies are often found amongst the roots of large, dense trees.
• One population lives close to volcanic vents?

Dietary Needs and Habits

• Largely  vegetarian.
• Big part of diet is root vegetables and cereals.
• Eats lots of sausages and chutney during festivals.
• Can make excellent ale, but reserve it for certain festivals.

Additional Information

Social Structure

• Live in colonies

Adoption and the Treatment of Orphans

• Share similar orphan/adoption policies as Dwarves.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

• Good low-light vision.
• Decent darkvision.
• Keen senses.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

• Female Names: Besh, Fijit, Lini, Majet, Neji, Pai, Queek, Trig.
• Male Names: Abrosher, Bastargre, Halungalom, Krolmnite, Poshment, Zanzuket, Zatqualmie.

Major Organizations

• Gnome settlements are well hidden from the outside world.

Beauty Ideals

• Men love unusual headgear and hats.
• Women love eccentric and elaborate hairstyles.

Courtship Ideals

• Tokens of Affection: Functional items (Ex a new broom, repair kits)

Relationship Ideals

• Rarely form lasting relationships.
• Loves to introduce acquaintances to new experiences.

Average Technological Level

• Have little to no magic abilities.
• Invent hot air balloons.
• Steampunk-Esq level of technology.
• Clockwork technology?
• Create new devices using alchemy and their imagination.
• Invented 'guns'.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

• Languages: Gnome, Common.
• Some learn other languages.

Common Dress Code

Typical Clothing

• Sturdy boots.
• Stout linen pants/skirt.
• Cloth shirt.
• Leather gloves.
• Hat & Cloak.
• Lots of belts, straps, pockets, and accessories.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

• Typically don't organize in classic societal structures.
• Gnomes integrate well into other societies.
• Individuals tend to be on the move.
• Either travel alone or with temporary companions.
• Zealously pursues collections, professions, and crafts.
• Humor: Convince others of outrageous lies, nonsensical rhyming nicknames, and physical pranks. Other races can view this as senseless or malicious.
• Heart is in the right place despite pranks.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

• Always looking for new and exciting experiences.

Common Myths and Legends

Legends say that they could once use magic.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

• Get along with Dwarves, Humans, and Halflings.
• Reputation of flighty and eccentric.
• Seen as odd by other races.
• Stereotypes: Impulsive and fickle acts.
• Don't care of other's opinions of them.
• Seen as strange and alien.
• Gnomes are amazed by how similar Humans and Elves are.
• Often treat other races as one race.
• On a physical and emotional level they have difficulties interacting with other races.
• Gnomes find it odd that other races view them as odd.
• Gnomes assume they can always come up with mutually beneficial arrangements with each other.
• Find it confusing and frustrating when other races won't compromise.
• Think Half Orcs and Dwarves need to lighten up a little.
• Respect Elves but think decision making is slow.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• 'Ancient Ones'

Genetic Descendants

• Barbegazi

Origin/Ancestry

• Gnomes are Dwarves that split off very early on.

Average Height

3-3.5ft

Average Weight

40-45lbs