Gnome

Basic Information

Anatomy

Gnomes are small humanoids, similar to dwarves, but smaller. Gnomes usually tend to have a plump body and male gnomes have beards.

Genetics and Reproduction

Gnomes reproduce as the same rate as dwarves. They tend to form a conservative unchanging society, so a couple of gnomes tends to have children sparingly. It's not expected for a gnome to reproduce before his or her 100th birthday.

Growth Rate & Stages

Gnomes mature slower than humans do, and tend to become fully mature adults only around the age of 40. They can live from 350 to 500 years.

Ecology and Habitats

Gnomes usually settle down into fortified structures, be it a castle in the middle of a forest or an underground fortress. These structures are usually heavily hidden by the means of illusion, with some gnomes working night and day to keep the illusions in place in order to avoid unwanted visitors.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Gnomes are omnivorous, and can eat almost anything.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Gnomes in Elmincia copy the social structure of Dwarves to an extent. Sometimes they choose to live inside dwarvish strongholds, enjoying the high degree of protection offered by the dwarves in exchange of their services in lore and spellcraft that the dwarves sorely lack.
Sometimes though gnomes prefer to live by themselves, in castles or fortress hidden deep beneath jungles. In that case, they arrange their own government, which more often than not consist in elders of the most rich families forming a council to discuss civic matters.
However, another form of government is gaining more and more traction among gnome societies. If the gnome city has a wizard's guild, and this is usually true, sometimes the wizards just take control of the city and rule it according to their will. Wizards, Mystiqs and Engineers are heavily respected in gnome society, not only by their raw power, but because their inventions usually bring many benefits to where they are situated.
In either case, gnomes tend to organize in families, where each family lives together sometimes in a huge house, other times in a castle of their own.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Free work. Gnomes are often applied in work where thought and analysis is required. They tend to get very well along with Moogles, though they complain that the Moogles are very secretive and do not share their most important discoveries. They also are widely respected members or founders of Wizard's guilds throughout the world. As a gnome is more prone to live in a human town than a dwarf or an elf, and since they are long lived, it's not unusual for a gnome to become the longest living sage in a wizard's guild, teaching apprentices for generations.
Spies. Gnomes can also contribute a lot to crime, though their purpose seem to be strange and unfathomable. Gnomes that serve House Zilargo tend to become spies and use their spells or psi abilities to gather secrets. The purpose of such is still unknown by anybody not belonging to House Zilargo's patriarchy.
Slavery. Gnomes are not much useful as slaves. They tend to be difficult to find, as they are very good in keeping themselves hidden, and their natural predisposition for illusion makes them difficult to keep incarcerated.

Facial characteristics

Gnome males always wear a beard, which they trim and arrange very carefully to give a good impression. Like dwarves, gnomes faces are rough and can be sometimes be intimidating, but as gnomes are usually happier and can be found more often than not celebrating or studying, they tend to look more friendly.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Gnomes tend to settle in area of rich magical resources and excess of mana. They use such excess in the protections of their homes. Overall, they prefer to settle in forests than in open-areas.

Average Intelligence

Gnomes are usually high-intelligent and inquisitive.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Gnomes can see in the dark. They sometimes can speak with animals or communicate telepathically, by means of spells. It's not that uncommon for a gnome to awaken as a mystiq, with psi powers from childhood.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Follow the directives in D&D Beyond

Average Technological Level

Renaissance. Gnome cities tend to be comfortable places to live, verging on the industrial era, with huge engineering projects not only offering plenty of jobs but also keeping the people of the city happy and secure.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Most gnomes speak Gnomish, a language that share the alphabet with Dwarvish.

Common Etiquette Rules

Gnomes usually need their peace and quiet when conducting research. Interrupting a gnome or coming into his lab during an experiment without said gnome's permission is considered very impolite.

Common Dress Code

Gnome dress in feisty colorful clothing, normally very well kept, and most often than not they like to use jewelry. They believe that success is hard-earned and people should show when they have means, to serve as an inspiration to others.
It's very common for gnomes, specially males, to use long hats, specially in special occasions or events.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Gnomes are responsible for many of the advances in magic, specially in the area of illusion. They are capable of keeping whole cities hidden.
Engineering, specially in public work projects that mix stonecraft with engineering, are their specialties. Even when living among other races, the gnomes share what they know easily, making sure to improve the life of everyone and not just their own race.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Gnomes follow the Rules for the usage of Arcane Power to the letter. Breaking it is considered a disgrace to a gnome.

History

Gnomes were one of the first races to be created, right after Halfling. Due to their small sizes, they became distrustful of the big races and decide that the best of them would be to hide.
Their growth did not allow them to stay hidden for long, and after the fall of Tuilë Gnomes were sought for in order to understand what had happened and handle the amount of mana throughout the world. As such, gnomes were present when the Schools of Magic where settled, having one of their own as member of The Archwizards.

Common Myths and Legends

Gnomes still believe the old gods were real, and they don't really understand the idea about the Light. While some of them convert, most of them still keep to their old rites and ways, even though their gods do not respond anymore.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Gnomes do specially well with Dwarves, due to they being proficient in things that dwarves usually lack, as well as a common culture and values.
Gnomes also do well with humans, and some, specially younger ones, prefer to live in human societies where things are more dynamic and happen faster than in their settlements. As this is happening more and more frenquently, gnomes are even closing the gap between dwarves and humans.
When living by themselves, gnomes tend to not be very fond of unwanted visitors, but they trust their spells to keep those away. It's not uncommon however for gnomes to just invite people to their hidden cities. As long as you go invited, you'll be welcome.

Lifespan

350 to 500 years

Conservation Status

Gnomes are very populous and are in no risk of extinction.

Average Height

90 cm - 1.2m

Average Weight

16 - 20 kg

Average Physique

Gnomes tend to be on the plump and weak side. Most of them prefer intellectual endeavors to exercise, and they have a love of food and beverage that tends them towards the slow and heavy side.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Gnomes usually have tanned or dark brown skins, though it's possible to find kinds of body tint among the race.