Forest Gnome (Eivar' Shibyr)

Anatomy

Forest Gnomes are the most closely related to the true Fey of all the Feyfolk, which is evident in their vastly differing appearances and their fickle natures. Heredity plays little to no role in the appearance of Forest Gnomes--children often look nothing like their parents, sometimes leading to questions about their actual parentage among the mostly polyamorous Feyfolk. The Eivar’ Shibyr can be smaller than Halflings and taller than Dwarves, ranging from two to five feet tall and often depending on what kind of forest they live in: amongst the giant and thick Hearttrees of the North Centerlands they are shorter, but amongst the massive and tall Shedars of the South they tend to be taller. Their build is slightly tougher than Halflings, with thicker limbs and larger heads. Their skin, hair and eye coloration is as varied as their height, and are quite often at odds with each other. Oddly enough, they do not tend to blend into their forest surroundings, unless by magic or guile--lucky for them, they excel at both. Forest Gnome features are softer than those of their cousins the Gear Gnomes, closer to the childlike faces of the Halflings but still appearing quite older, as if there is something ancient and inscrutable about them. They often have enormous eyes and mouths, their noses either gigantic or tiny, with huge ears protruding sometimes at odd angles from their unruly or highly-stylized hair. They prefer clothing that matches the eccentricity of their bodies (or no clothes at all), ostentatious hats and other headgear, and anything else that may suit their enigmatic tastes.

Habitat

The Eivar’ Shibyr prefer to live in the deep forests, preferably in or around Soulvein-infused trees, especially the Hearttrees and Shedar. They live in clans and villages, never exceeding several hundred, and often either within the trees themselves or in simple, natural architecture incorporating the environment around them. When traveling, most Forest Gnomes feel uncomfortable anywhere without a canopy of trees over their heads. However, their taste of where they prefer to live can be as varied as their appearance, and thus Forest Gnomes can be found in small numbers throughout the Centerlands.

Origin

Like their cousins the Gear Gnomes, the Forest Gnomes come directly from the Fey, though there are many differing myths and legends about how this came to be. It is believed that they arrived about the same time as the Dwarves or shortly thereafter, and lived exclusively in the deep forests with most of the other Fey creatures until the First Ruination, when many of the forests burned and the Orc Hordes used the Soulvein-infused trees to thwart the magic of the Elves. Many of the Eivar’ Shibyr were scattered throughout the land after that, forming smaller forest enclaves around the Centerlands and beyond.

Culture

Forest Gnomes have very little to no societal structure and often live according to their own rules, even when within a larger, non-Gnome society. When there are unavoidable decisions to be made in their forest enclaves, the Eivar’ Shibyr usually decide by consensus vote, which can be quite unruly and unpredictable, often leading to less-wise decisions. Whimsical by nature, they follow the whispers of the forest spirits and normally heed only the fickle dictates of the Fey.

Languages

Fey, Sylvan, High Common

Player Characters

Abilities

• +2 Dexterity, +1 Constitution, +1 Charisma, -1 Strength, -1 Wisdom

• Low light vision up to 120 feet

• Defensive Training: Gnomes gain a +4 dodge bonus to AC against monsters of the giant subtype.

• Keen Senses: Gnomes receive a +2 racial bonus on Perception checks.

• Gnome Magic: Gnomes add +1 to the DC of any saving throws against illusion spells that they cast. Gnomes with Charisma scores of 11 or higher also gain the following spell-like abilities: 1/day—dancing lights, ghost sound, prestidigitation, and speak with animals. The caster level for these effects is equal to the gnome’s level. The DC for these spells is equal to 10 + the spell’s level + the gnome’s Charisma modifier.

• Illusion Resistance: Gnomes gain a +2 racial saving throw bonus against illusion spells and effects.

• Bond to the Land: Some gnomes have strong ties to specific kinds of terrain, as a holdover from their fey origins. These gnomes gain a +2 dodge bonus to AC when in a specific terrain type selected from the ranger list of favored terrains. This choice is made at character creation, and cannot be changed.

• Warden of Nature: Gnomes must often protect their homes against unnatural or pestilential infestations. Gnomes with this racial trait gain a +2 dodge bonus to AC against aberrations, oozes, and vermin, and a +1 bonus on attack rolls against them because of their special training.

• Alternate traits as listed by Pathfinder

Origin/Ancestry

Fey

Lifespan

120-200 years

Average Height

2.5-5 feet

Average Weight

25-80 lbs.

Prita Dancingeyes, Druid of the Daels

Irizi Bluebeard, Bard of Kest