Gnome
A constant hum of busy activity pervades the warrens and neighborhoods where gnomes form their close-knit communities. Louder sounds punctuate the hum: a crunch of grinding gears here, a minor explosion there, a yelp of surprise or triumph, and especially bursts of laughter. The clever, spunky, and oftentimes eccentric gnomes take delight in life, enjoying every moment of invention, exploration, investigation, creation, and play presenting a unique paradox among the other ancestries of Drakkenfall. Their remarkable optimism in the face of calamity symbolizes the truly unshakable spirit of the gnomes, and their boundless creativity and ingenuity is rivaled only by their commitment to the Drakfallian cause.
If you want a character with boundless enthusiasm and an alien, fey outlook on morality and life, you should play a gnome.
History
Physical Description
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 (beneath their prodigious noses), and their bright eyes shine with excitement. Their fair hair can be various shades of green or brown and has a tendency to stick out in every direction, as if expressing the gnome’s insatiable interest in everything around. 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 earthen or plantlike tones, is elaborately decorated with embroidery, embossing, plants and leaves, or gleaming jewels.Personality
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. Gnomes trades and careers are split down the middle between skilled inventors, alchemists, and tinkerers or wise druids, botanists and caretakers of the natural world. 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. Curious and impulsive, gnomes might take up adventuring as a way to see the world or for the love of exploring. As lovers of gems, plant life, and other fine items, some gnomes take to adventuring as a quick, if dangerous, path to wealth and cultivation. Regardless of what spurs them to adventure, gnomes who adopt this way of life eke as much enjoyment out of it as they do out of any other activity they undertake, sometimes to the great annoyance of their adventuring companions.Culture
Gnomes are a race of ambitious folk that celebrate creativity and craft and whose lives are validated by a masterful command of the artificed magical creations and cultivated wilderness they hold domain over. This outlook on life makes them feel that to be pitied is unbearable, even insulting, though they know their allies do not do this intentionally. They have been more of a race of scholars throughout their history, generally focused on escaping and avoiding conflict, being also known to offset their lack of physical strength with ingenuity and daring. However, the loss of their ancestral home and years of hardship and survival amongst increased association with their distant cousins of the dwarves have made the gnomes stronger and more comfortable with their physical prowess, giving them a combatant edge. Unlike many other races such as the dwarves, orcs, and humans, the gnomes had no history of internecine violence prior to the fall of their home. Generally speaking, gnomes simply do not fight gnomes. In a world of hostile creatures and Tall Folk, it goes without saying that gnomes have to rely on each other. This is why gnomes don't need primogeniture and why they abandoned monarchy centuries ago, instead electing their leaders by common consent based on their work's benefit to the race as a whole. It is unthinkable for a gnome to act in a selfish manner in spite of the cost to their people.Gnome Milestones
Minor Milestones
- Complete an Exploration quest within a Gnomish landmark or region.
- Gain a Favor from the Gnomish Dynasty.
- Claim a rare or greater resource related to magical flora or gemstones.
- Let your curiosity get the better of you.
- Craft a magical item of rare or greater rarity.
- Annoy or intrigue another PC with an ingenious plan that just might work.
- Form a close bond with another PC or NPC.
- Discover a Fey region or landmark.
- Perform Research on a Fey subject.
- Assist an ally in a precarious situation despite it putting yourself in harms way.
Major Milestones
- Complete an Exploration quest of Tier 3 within an ancient Gnomish territory or region.
- Gain authority within the Gnomish Dynasty.
- Claim a very rare or greater resource related to magical flora or gemstones.
- Craft a magical item of very rare or greater rarity.
- Discover a Tier 3 Fey landmark.
Zenith Milestone
- Reclaim the ancient Gnomish capital of Gnogremmar.
- Restore the Primordial Fey Crossing.
Basic Information
Type
Humanoid
Lifespan
300 years
Average Height
3 ft.
Average Weight
50-75 lbs.
Related Organizations
Ruddy tan to woody brown
Hair Colors
Woodland auburns and browns or shades of green; grays to white with age
Eye Colors
Blue, green or hazel
Distinctions
Pointed ears, short and slim frame, larger faces and high cheekbones
Being a Gnome...
You Likely...
- Embrace learning and hop from one area of study to another without warning.
- Get along well with a wide variety of people and enjoy meeting new friends.
- Find it difficult to resist indulging your curiosity, even when you know it's going to lead to trouble.
Other Races Probably...
- Appreciate your enthusiasm and the energy with which you approach new situations.
- Appreciate your ability to always find a silver lining or something to laugh about, no matter how dire the situation.
- Struggle to understand your motivations or adapt to your rapid changes of direction.
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