Gnomes

Like Elves, gnomish lore says that the species came to the mortal world from the Faerie Realm. Many fey features still linger in the stubby gnomes, such as floppy, pointy ears, prominent up-turned noses, resistance to magical effects and natural inclinement towards spellcasting. Collectively gnomes are known for their insatiable curiosity and uncanny focus in one specific trade or talent for their entire lives. That is why many gnomes are uncontested experts in their own field of expertise.
Gnomes are counted among the short species along with halflings, kobolds and goblins, and their average height is more or less 3 feet (just below one meter). Unlike halflings, their bodies and limbs are usually wiry and thin. Their skin has earthen tones of tan, brown and green, and their hair grows wildly, although the males usually go bald early in their lives. Gnomes have a lifespan of about 400 years, but longer lives are not unheard of especially for those gnomes that have kept their connection to the Faerie Realm.

History

Before The Fellstar Cataclysm, gnomes were scattered in small communities around the Grandwood without a nation to their name. However, during the Ashen Age, a forest gnome wizard by the name of Maeghaldyn Nach founded the mighty magocracy of Maeg Nach in the region of current-day Magnapolis. Her dynasty ruled for over a millennia, until a princess from her bloodline, Trussalotte, became one of The Eight Prophets that founded The Order and annexed the gnomish kingdom into a part of the Eight States of Chronan.
During the Steaming Age, gnomes have thrived as a species as their bright minds have produced many wondrous inventions. Several heads of the Artificers' Guild are gnomes, for example, and Magnapolis, their ancestral homeland, is known for its many academies, factories and research facilities. There are even gnomish automatons known as Autognomes created as trusted companions and assistants for the people of Chronan.

Subspecies

Back in the Gilded Age, gnomes worshipped a trio of gods that each represented one of their kindred: the god of animals and nature Baeragam of forest gnomes, the three-eyed goddess of earth and wealth Gogoljan of the deep gnomes, and the three-armed god of fire and inventions Kreusstross of the rock gnomes. Out of these three, only Kreusstross was inducted into the Gods of Time and Order by the prophet Trussalotte, while the other two fell into oblivion.

Rock Gnomes

Nowadays the most populous of gnomes, rock gnomes are as industrious and innovative as their god. They are masterful tinkerers and crafters, and spread that knack from generation to generation. They are discerned from other of their kind by their brownish skin and their hair that ranges monochromatically from black to white.

Forest Gnomes

Much less common than their rock gnome brethren, the forest gnomes have maintained a close connection to their fey ancestry, and thus have the ability to communicate with woodland critters and create illusory images. They usually have fuzzy hair in any vibrant color of the rainbow.

Deep Gnomes

The gnomes that live underneath the surface are one of the ruling tribes of the Netherspan along with mountain dwarves and drow elves. They have dark grey skin and thin hair, with the male gnomes usually born completely bald. Unlike their jovial surface cousins, deep gnomes tend to be serious in nature. They have a supernatural ability to camouflage themselves in rocky terrain. Many deep gnomes are collectors by nature.

Gremlins

The coupling of gnomes and goblins results in an interesting hybrid of the two species known as a gremlin. They are usually smaller than gnomes and less grotesque than goblins. Whereas gnomes are known for their talent of creation, gremlins are masters of dismantling and breaking anything they get their little hands on. This ability is widely utilized in gnomish factories and junkyards across Chronan.