Gnome

For more information on all races, see: Races

Gnomes are distant relatives of the fey, and their history tells of a time when they lived in the fey's mysterious realm, a place where colors are brighter, the wildlands wilder, and emotions more primal. Unknown forces drove the ancient gnomes from that realm long ago, forcing them to seek refuge in this world; despite this, the gnomes have never completely abandoned their fey roots or adapted to mortal culture. Though gnomes are no longer truly fey, their fey heritage can be seen in their innate magic powers, their oft-capricious natures, and their outlooks on life and the world.
Gnomes can have the same concerns and motivations as members of other races, but just as often they are driven by passions and desires that non-gnomes see as eccentric at best, and nonsensical at worst. A gnome may risk his life to taste the food at a giant's table, to reach the bottom of a pit just because it would be the lowest place he's ever been, or to tell jokes to a dragon—and to the gnome those goals are as worthy as researching a new spell, gaining vast wealth, or putting down a powerful evil force. While such apparently fickle and impulsive acts are not universal among gnomes, they are common enough for the race as a whole to have earned a reputation for being impetuous and at least a little mad.
Combined with their diminutive sizes, vibrant coloration, and lack of concern for the opinions of others, these attitudes have caused gnomes to be widely regarded by the other races as alien and strange. Gnomes, in turn, are often amazed how alike other common, civilized races are. It seems stranger to a gnome that humans and elves share so many similarities than that the gnomes do not. Indeed, gnomes often confound their allies by treating everyone who is not a gnome as part of a single, vast non-gnome collective race.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Gnomes are one of the smallest of the common races, generally standing just over 3 feet in height. Despite their small frames, however, gnomes are extremely resilient, and not as weak as many of their foes assume. Though their diminutive stature reduces their ability to move quickly, gnomes often train to take advantage of their size, especially when fighting foes much larger than themselves.
The coloration of gnomes varies so wildly that many outsiders assume gnomes commonly use dyes and illusions to change their skin and hair tones. While gnomes are certainly not above cosmetic enhancement (and may wish to change their appearance just to see how outlandish they can look), their natural hues truly range over a rainbow of coloration. Their hair tends toward vibrant colors such as the fiery orange of autumn leaves, the verdant green of forests at springtime, or the deep reds and purples of wildflowers in bloom. Similarly, their flesh tones range from earthy browns to floral pinks, and gnomes with black, pastel blue, or even green skin are not unknown. Gnomes' coloration has little regard for heredity, with the color of a gnome's parents and other kin having no apparent bearing on the gnome's appearance.
Gnomes possess highly mutable facial characteristics, and their proportions often don't match the norm of other humanoid races. Many have overly large mouths and eyes, an effect which can be both disturbing and stunning, depending on the individual. Others may have extremely small features spread over an otherwise blank expanse of face, or may mix shockingly large eyes with a tiny, pursed mouth and a pert button of a nose. Gnomes rarely take pride in or show embarrassment about their features, but members of other races often fixate on a gnome's most prominent feature and attempt to use it as the focus of insults or endearments.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Like other races, gnomish culture varies based on region and ethnicity, but a few characteristics are common to most gnomes. Even when gnomes are common within a community as a group, individual gnomes tend to be always on the move. Whimsical creatures at heart, they typically travel alone or with temporary companions, ever seeking new and more exciting experiences. They rarely form enduring relationships among themselves or with members of other races, instead pursuing crafts, professions, or collections with a passion that borders on zealotry. If a gnome does settle in an area or stay with a group for a longer period, it is almost always the result of some benefit that area gives to a vocation or obsession to which the gnome had dedicated himself. Male gnomes have a strange fondness for unusual hats and headgear, often wearing the most expensive and ostentatious head-covering they can afford (and that their chosen careers will allow them to wear without causing problems). Females rarely cover their heads, but proudly wear elaborate and eccentric hairstyles that often include intricate jeweled combs and headpieces.
Gnomes have an intricate society based on their love of all kinds of arts, pranks, and their long lives. Gnomes love indulgence, and they make most celebrations on a grand scale. Gnome weddings last for a week, even though gnomes don't view love the same way humans do. If love begins to go wrong between a couple, they might break up. Their society is based on art; all gnomes have to take up some form of art, whether music, painting, cooking, building, or any other form that is considered creative by the time they come of age.
When living among other races, particularly humans, in an urban environment, gnomes are often shopkeepers or work as everyday blacksmiths (leaving the fancy armor and weaponsmithing to the dwarves). They also work with brass, bronze, tin, and pewter, casting and etching practical household items. Other occupations included gemcutters, mechanics, sages, or teachers, the last in particular being a highly valued profession by human employers, who know that a single gnome can tutor multiple generations.
Unlike most races, gnomes do not generally organize themselves within classic societal structures. Gnome cities are unusual and gnome kingdoms almost unknown, though gnomish communities do exist. Further, gnomes have no particular tendency to gather in specific neighborhoods even when a large number of them live among other races. While specific laws meant to contain the potential impact of gnomes on a society may require a "gnome quarter," and societal pressure sometimes causes all non-gnomes to move away from areas with high gnome populations, left to their own devices, gnomes tend to spread evenly throughout communities that allow them.
Gnomes primarily live in wooded, hilly landscapes, most often underground. They typically build earthen homes with cellars and escape tunnels. Above-ground structures are often round and made of stone and thatch. Generally speaking, though, gnomes enjoy the fresh air a good deal more than other subterranean races such as dwarves, and rarely burrow very deep, spending a great deal of time on the surface. Gnomish homes or communities are generally well-hidden, making it difficult for unwelcome visitors to find them. Within, gnomish houses are warm and comfortable, akin to the burrows of small mammals.
Gnomes are found widely throughout the world, though rarely in large numbers. Other gnomes, notably deep gnomes, are found in the Darklands and are even more secretive than other gnomes, maintaining their distance from other races except for dwarves, with whom they are careful to maintain polite relationships for the purpose of protection.
In Faerûn, gnomes typically live in earthen burrows and dug-out homes akin to those used by badgers, foxes, or rabbits. As such, they are fond of these small animals, feeling a sense of natural kinship with them. And much like these animals, gnomes have an aversion to danger that makes them naturally inclined to hide away if able. Thus many gnomish homes are carefully hidden by magic or other methods. Gnomes most often like to keep badgers, giant badgers, and wolverines as guard animals in their lairs.
The primary gnome deity of the gnomish pantheon is Corellon, who leads the fey pantheon, the Seladrine.
Gnome funeral rites often employ cremation. It destroys the body, preventing desecration, and releases the spirit to find its own way. Cremation is also not land-intensive, and they are fairly quick to pull off if wood is abundant. Personal objects are also burned to send into the afterlife with the deceased.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Gnomes love names, and most have half a dozen or so. A gnome's mother, father, clan elder, aunts, and uncles each give the gnome a name, and various nicknames from just about everyone else might or might not stick over time. Gnome names are typically variants on the names of ancestors or distant relatives, though some are truly new inventions. When dealing with humans and others who are "stuffy" about names, a gnome learns to use no more than three names; a personal name, a clan name, and a nickname, choosing the one in each category that's the most fun to say.

Male Names: Alvyn, Boddynock, Ettrgell, Dimble, Eldon, Fonkin, Gimble, Jebeddo, Kellen, Namfoodle, Orryn, Roondar, Seebo, Warryn, Zook.
Female Names: Bimpnottin, Caramip,Donella, Duvamil, Ella, Lorilla, Mardnab, Nissa, Orla, Roywyn, Shamil, Tana, Waywocket, Zanna.
Clan Names: Beren, Daergel, Folkor, Garrick, Murnig, Nackle, Raulnor, Seheppen, Turen.
Nicknames: Aleslosh, Badger, Cloak, Doublelock, Fnipper, Ku, Nina, Oneshoe, Pock, Scumbleduck.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Gnomes have difficulty interacting with the other races, on both emotional and physical levels. In many ways the very fact other races see gnomes as odd is itself the thing gnomes find most odd about other races, and this leads to a strong lack of common ground upon which understanding and relationships can be built. When two gnomes encounter one another, they generally assume some mutually beneficial arrangement can be reached, no matter how different their beliefs and traditions may be. Even if this turns out not to be the case, the gnomes continue to look for commonalities in their dealings with each other. The inability or unwillingness of members of other races to make the same effort when dealing with gnomes is both frustrating and confusing to most gnomes.
In many ways, it is gnomes' strong connection to a wide range of apparently unconnected ideas that makes it difficult for other races to build relationships with them. Gnome humor, for example, is often focused on physical pranks, nonsensical rhyming nicknames, and efforts to convince others of outrageous lies that strain all credibility. Gnomes find such efforts hysterically funny, but their pranks often come across as malicious or senseless to other races, while gnomes in turn tend to think of the taller races as dull and lumbering giants.
Gnomes get along reasonably well with halflings and humans, who at least have some traditions of bizarre, gnomelike humor. Gnomes generally feel dwarves and half-orcs need to lighten up, and attempt to bring levity into their lives with tricks, jokes, and outrageous tales the more dour races simply cannot see the sense of. Gnomes respect elves, but often grow frustrated with the slow pace at which members of the long-lived race make decisions. To gnomes, action is always better than inaction, and many gnomes carry several highly involved projects with them at all times to keep themselves entertained during rest periods.

Alternate Racial Traits

Replaces Defensive Training, Gnome Magic, Illusion Resistance

Poison Minion

Denizens of the Darklands sometimes augment their slaves and frontline warriors by making them toxic, causing their bodies to internally produce mawbane poison (see below). The resulting poisonous creature makes a potent weapon in the effort to discourage neighboring monsters. Any creature that hits such a character with a bite attack is immediately exposed to its poison. The save DC for this poison is equal to 10 + 1/2 the character’s Hit Dice + the character’s Constitution modifier. Gnomes can take this trait in place of Defensive Training, Gnome Magic, and Illusion Resistance.

Mawbane Poison—ingested; save Fortitude as above; frequency 1 / round for 4 rounds; effect 1d2 Constitution damage; cure 1 save.

Replaces Defensive Training, Hatred

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. This racial trait replaces Defensive Training and Hatred.

Eternal Hope

Gnomes rarely lose hope and are always confident that even hopeless situations will work out. Gnomes with this racial trait receive a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against fear and despair effects. Once per day, after rolling a 1 on a d20, the gnome may reroll and use the second result. This racial trait replaces Defensive Training and Hatred.

Gift of Tongues

Gnomes love languages and learning about those they meet. Gnomes with this racial trait gain a +1 bonus on Bluff and Diplomacy checks, and they learn one additional language every time they put a rank in the Linguistics skill. This racial trait replaces Defensive Training and Hatred.

Master Tinker

Gnomes experiment with all manner of mechanical devices. Gnomes with this racial trait gain a +1 bonus on Disable Device and Knowledge (Engineering) checks. They are treated as proficient with any weapon they have personally crafted. This racial trait replaces Defensive Training and Hatred.

Shadow Foe

Gnomes with this trait receive a +1 bonus on attack rolls and to their AC against humanoids of the dark folk and wayang subtypes, and outsiders native to the Shadowfell. This racial trait replaces Defensive Training and Hatred.

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. This racial trait replaces Defensive Training and Hatred.

Replaces Defensive Training, Hatred, Keen Senses

Dirty Trickster

All gnomes love pranks, but some specialize in those improvised during battle. These gnomes gain a +2 racial bonus on dirty trick combat maneuvers. They need not meet the Intelligence requirement to select Combat Expertise, Improved Dirty Trick, and any feat with Improved Dirty Trick as a prerequisite. This racial trait replaces Defensive Training, Hatred, and Keen Senses.

Fairy Catcher

Some gnomes are especially sensitive to the presence of fey and receive a +2 racial bonus on Perception, Sense Motive, and Survival checks against fey, a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against the spells, spell-like abilities, and supernatural abilities of fey (this bonus stacks with the bonus granted by illusion resistance), and a +2 bonus on caster level checks to overcome the spell resistance of fey. This racial trait replaces Defensive Training, Hatred, and Keen Senses.

Replaces Defensive Training, Hatred, Obsessive

Stalker

Some gnomes become obsessed with specific individuals. Once per day, such a gnome can observe a creature for 10 minutes. After that, she gains a +1 bonus on Bluff, Knowledge, Perception, Sense Motive, and Survival checks against that creature. She also gains a +1 bonus on weapon attack and damage rolls against that creature. These bonuses last for 1 day. This racial trait replaces Defensive Training, Hatred, and Obsessive.

Replaces Defensive Training, Illusion Resistance

Shadow Dodger

Gnomes with this trait gain a +4 dodge bonus to their AC against incorporeal creatures and partially real creatures and objects, such as those created by Shadow Conjuration, but only if successfully disbelieved. This racial trait replaces Defensive Training and Illusion Resistance.

Replaces Gnome Magic

Bleachling Magic

Gnomes with this racial trait treat their caster level as 1 higher for the purposes of divination spells they cast. Additionally, if the gnome has a Wisdom or Charisma score of 11 or higher, she also gains the ability to cast Charm Animal as a spell-like ability three times per day. The caster level for this effect is equal to the gnome’s level, and the DC for these spells is equal to 10 + the spell’s level + the gnome’s Charisma modifier. This racial trait replaces Gnome Magic.

Faerie Dragon Magic

Some gnomes ally with capricious faerie dragons or share a supernatural kinship with these enigmatic creatures. Gnomes with this trait add 1 to the DCs of saves against the illusion spells they cast. Additionally, a gnome with a Charisma score of 11 or higher can use each of the following spell-like abilities once per day: Ghost Sound, Grease, and Silent Image. The caster level for these effects is equal to the gnome’s character level. The DC for these spells is equal to 10 + the spell’s level + the gnome’s Charisma modifier. This racial trait replaces Gnome Magic.

Fell Magic

Gnomes add +1 to the DC of any saving throws against necromancy spells that they cast. Gnomes with Wisdom scores of 11 or higher also gain the following spell-like abilities: 1 / day—Bleed, Chill Touch, Detect Poison, and Touch of Fatigue. 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 Wisdom modifier. This racial trait replaces Gnome Magic.

Fey-Tongued

Gnomes with this trait gain Haunted Fey Aspect and Speak with Plants instead of Dancing Lights and Speak with Animals as spell-like abilities from the gnome magic racial trait. This racial trait replaces Gnome Magic.

Genial Magic

Gnomes with this racial trait add 1 to the DC of saving throws against enchantment spells that they cast. Gnomes with Charisma scores of 11 or higher also gain the following spell-like abilities: 1 / day—Charm Person, Guidance, Message, and Prestidigitation. 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. This racial trait replaces Gnome Magic.

Shadowplay

Some illusionists are experts in manipulating light and darkness. Characters with this trait cast spells with the darkness, light, or shadow descriptor at +1 caster level. Gnomes can take this trait in place of Gnome Magic.

Utilitarian Magic

Some gnomes develop practical magic to assist them with their obsessive projects. These gnomes add 1 to the DC of any saving throws against transmutation spells they cast. If their Intelligence score is 11 or higher, they also gain the following spell-like abilities: 1 / day—Mage Hand, Open / Close, Prestidigitation, and Unseen Servant. The DC for these spells is equal to 10 + the spell’s level + the gnome’s Intelligence modifier. This racial trait replaces Gnome Magic.

Replaces Gnome Magic, Illusion Resistance

Magical Linguist

Gnomes study languages in both their mundane and supernatural manifestations. Gnomes with this racial trait add +1 to the DC of spells they cast with the language-dependent descriptor or those that create glyphs, symbols, or other magical writings. They gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against such spells. Gnomes with Charisma scores of 11 or higher also gain the following spell-like abilities: 1 / day—Arcane Mark, Comprehend Languages, Message, and Read Magic. The caster level for these effects is equal to the gnome’s level. This racial trait replaces Gnome Magic and Illusion Resistance.

Pyromaniac

Gnomes with this racial trait are treated as one level higher when casting spells with the fire descriptor, using granted powers of the Fire domain, using the bloodline powers of the fire elemental bloodline or the revelations of the oracle’s flame mystery, and determining the damage of alchemist bombs that deal fire damage (this ability does not give gnomes early access to level-based powers; it only affects the powers they could use without this ability). Gnomes with Charisma scores of 11 or higher also gain the following spell-like abilities: 1 / day—Dancing Lights, Flare, Prestidigitation, and Produce Flame. The caster level for these effects is equal to the gnome’s level; the DCs are Charisma-based. This racial trait replaces Gnome Magic and Illusion Resistance.

Replaces Gnome Magic, Illusion Resistance, Obsessive

Fey Magic

Gnomes with this racial trait increase the DC of spells of the compulsion subschool they cast by 1. Additionally, if the gnome has a Charisma score of 11 or higher, she also gains the following spell-like abilities: 1 / day—Charm Person, Dancing Lights, Entangle, and Prestidigitation. 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. This racial trait replaces Gnome Magic, Illusion Resistance, and Obsessive.

Replaces Gnome Magic, Keen Senses

Vivacious

Some gnomes retain a trace of the vitality of the fey. These gnomes recover 50% more hit points (minimum 1) whenever they recover hit points from rest. Whenever they are healed of hit point damage by a spell, they heal an additional amount equal to 1/2 the spell’s caster level (minimum 0). The extra healing does not apply to spells that grant fast healing or similar effects. This racial trait replaces Gnome Magic and Keen Senses.

Replaces Gnome Magic, Obsessive

Bleachling

Gnomes who have survived the Bleaching are immune to effects of the Bleaching thereafter. These gnomes gain two favored classes: druid, and their choice of any other class. They lose all spell-like abilities granted by the gnome magic racial trait except Speak with Animals, but they can use their speak with animals spell-like ability three times per day. This racial ability replaces Obsessive and alters Gnome Magic.

Replaces Hatred, Obsessive

Explorer

Many gnomes are obsessed with seeing as much of the world as possible, rather than perfecting some specific talent or vocation. These gnomes gain a +2 racial bonus on Climb checks and checks for one Knowledge skill of their choice. This racial trait replaces Hatred and Obsessive.

Wright

Some gnomes prefer to use their natural talents with mechanisms to drive machines. These gnomes gain a +2 racial bonus on driving checks and on Craft checks to build or repair vehicles. This racial trait replaces Hatred and Obsessive.

Replaces Illusion Resistance, Keen Senses, Obsessive

Intrepid Settler

Some gnomes add to the thrill of living by settling in precarious places. These intrepid gnomes gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against fear effects and on Acrobatics, Climb, and Swim checks. This racial trait replaces Illusion Resistance, Keen Senses, and Obsessive.

Replaces Illusion Resistance, Obsessive

Knack with Poison

Some gnomes have an instinctive understanding of poisons and their uses. Gnomes gain a +2 racial bonus on Fortitude saves against poison and a +2 bonus on Craft (Alchemy) checks to make poison. The bonus on Fortitude saving throws against poisons increases to +4 if the gnome accidentally poisons himself when applying or readying the substance. This racial trait replaces Illusion Resistance and Obsessive.

Replaces Keen Senses

Blended View

Prerequisite: low-light vision. Gnomes whose non-gnome parent had low-light vision might be blessed with a legacy of versatile senses. Characters with this trait keep their low-light vision but also gain darkvision to a distance of 60 feet. Gnomes can take this trait in place of Keen Senses.

Dusksight

Characters who operate below canopies or fight in dimly lit caves and shadowy planes of existence learn to use their low-light vision to deduce a foe’s position from the flickers of shadows around a target. When making ranged attacks, characters with this trait can reroll the miss chance granted by cover to any target in dim light, and take the better of the two rolls. The miss chance for total concealment applies normally. Gnomes can take this trait in place of Keen Senses.

Nature Affinity

Gnomes with this racial trait gain a +2 racial bonus on Fortitude saves against diseases and poisons inflicted by fey, plants, and forest-related hazards. This racial trait replaces Keen Senses.

Replaces Keen Senses, Obsessive

Architectural Ingenuity

Some gnomes demonstrate incredible talent for building and adjusting structures. These gnomes gain a +2 racial bonus on Knowledge (Engineering) checks and on Craft and Perception checks related to structures (including structural traps). This racial trait replaces Keen Senses and Obsessive.

Inquisitive

Gnomes have a knack for being in places they shouldn’t be. Gnomes with this trait gain a +2 racial bonus on Disable Device and Escape Artist checks. This racial trait replaces Keen Senses and Obsessive.

Replaces Low-Light Vision

Behind the Veil

Characters with this trait slyly cover their body language and movements by acting in a shadowed or partitioned areas. These characters gain a +2 bonus on Bluff and Sleight of Hand checks while benefiting from concealment or cover. Gnomes can take this trait in place of Low-Light Vision.

Replaces Low-Light Vision, Keen Senses

Darkvision

Some gnome strains have lived in the underground depths for so long they have given up on light entirely and gained darkvision with a range of 60 feet. This racial trait replaces Low-Light Vision and Keen Senses.

Replaces Obsessive

Academician

Some gnomes are more academically inclined than their kin. Gnomes with this racial trait gain a +2 bonus on any single Knowledge skill. This racial trait replaces Obsessive.

Artistic

Gnomes with this racial trait gain a +2 racial bonus on a Perform skill of their choice. This racial trait replaces Obsessive.

Fey Magic

The character has a mystic connection to one terrain type, selected from the ranger's favored terrain list. The character selects three 0-level druid spells and one 1st-level druid spell. If the character has a Charisma score of 11 or higher, when in the selected terrain, she gains these spells as spell-like abilities that can be cast once per day. The caster level for these effects is equal to the user's character level. The DC for the spell-like abilities is equal to 10 + the spell's level + the user's Charisma modifier. These spells are treated as being from a fey source for the purposes of the druid's resist nature's lure class feature and similar abilities. A gnome can take this trait in place of Obsessive.

Nosophobia

Many gnomes grow up fearing infectous diseases and are obsessive about training their bodies to stave off illness of all kinds. These gnomes gain a +4 bonus on Fortitude saves against disease and poison, including magical diseases. This racial trait replaces Obsessive.

Student of the City

Gnomes of the city learn all they can from newcomers and tend to make contacts in all quarters. They gain a +2 racial bonus on Knowledge (Local) checks, and can use that skill to gather information in place of Diplomacy. This racial trait replaces Obsessive.

Replaces Weapon Familiarity

Dimdweller

Characters with this trait are at home in gloomy conditions. Whenever these characters benefit from concealment or full concealment due to darkness or dim light, they gain a +2 racial bonus on Intimidate, Perception, and Stealth checks. Gnomes can take this trait in place of Weapon Familiarity.

Fey Fortitude

Gnomes with this racial trait are infused with a connection to life. They gain a +2 racial bonus on saves to resist death effects. This racial trait replaces Weapon Familiarity.

Fey Thoughts

The character sees the world more like a native of Faerûn. Select two of the following skills: Acrobatics, Bluff, Climb, Diplomacy, Disguise, Escape Artist, Fly, Knowledge (Nature), Perception, Perform, Sense Motive, Sleight of Hand, Stealth, Swim, or Use Magic Device. The selected skills are always class skills for the character. A gnome can take this trait in place of racial Weapon Familiarity.

Shadowhunter

Those who understand the connection between shadows and the Negative Energy Plane know how to fight the spirits of darkness. Characters with this trait deal 50% weapon damage to incorporeal creatures when using nonmagical weapons (including natural and unarmed attacks), as if using magic weapons. They also gain a +2 bonus on saving throws to remove negative levels, and recover physical ability damage from attacks by undead creatures at a rate of 2 points per ability score per day (rather than the normal 1 point per ability score per day). Gnomes can take this trait in place of Weapon Familiarity.

Sound Mimicry

Gnomes with this racial trait are skilled at imitating sounds and voices. Doing so requires a Bluff check opposed by the listener’s Sense Motive check, and the gnome gains a +4 racial bonus on Bluff checks to mimic sounds (including accents and speech patterns) they have listened to for at least 10 minutes. Listeners unfamiliar with a particular sound take a –4 penalty on the Sense Motive check. This racial trait replaces Weapon Familiarity.

Favored Class Options

Instead of receiving an additional skill rank or hit point whenever they gain a level in a favored class, gnomes have the option of choosing from a number of other bonuses, depending upon their favored class. The following options are available to all gnomes who have the listed favored class.

• Alchemist: Add +1/2 to the number of bombs per day the alchemist can create.
• Arcanist: Add 1/6 to the number of points the arcanist gains in her arcane reservoir each day.
• Barbarian: Add a +1/2 bonus to the barbarian's trap sense.
• Bard: Add +1 to the bard's total number of bardic performance rounds per day.
• Bloodrager: Add 1/4 to the bloodrager’s effective class level when determining the power of her bloodrager bloodline powers.
• Brawler: Increase the number of times per day the brawler can use martial flexibility by 1/4.
• Cavalier: Add +1 to the cavalier's mounted base speed. In combat this has no effect unless the cavalier has selected this reward five times (or another increment of five). If the cavalier ever replaces his mount, the new mount gains this bonus to its speed.
• Cleric: Add +1/2 to the cleric's channeled energy total when healing creatures of the animal, fey, and plant types.
• Druid: The druid gains energy resistance 1 against acid, cold, electricity, or fire. Each time the druid selects this reward, increase her resistance to one of these energy types by +1 (maximum 10 for any one type).
• Druid: The druid’s animal companion gains 1/4 point of DR / cold iron (maximum DR 5 / cold iron). If the druid replaces her companion, the new companion gains this DR.
• Fighter: Add +1 to the fighter's CMD when resisting a dirty trick or steal attempt.
• Gunslinger: The gunslinger reduces the amount of time needed to restore a broken firearm using the Gunsmithing feat by 5 minutes (maximum reduction of 50 minutes).
• Hunter: Add DR 1 / magic to the hunter’s animal companion. Each time the hunter gains another level, the DR increases by 1/2 (maximum DR 10 / magic). If the hunter replaces her animal companion, the new companion gains this damage reduction.
• Inquisitor: Add a +1 bonus on concentration checks when casting inquisitor spells.
• Investigator: Add one extract formula from the investigator’s list to his formula book. This formula must be at least 1 formula level below the highest level the investigator can create.
• Kineticist: Gain a +1/2 bonus on Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, and Sense Motive skill checks against creatures with the elemental subtype matching the kineticist’s primary element.
• Kineticist: Add a +1/6 bonus on combat maneuver checks attempted as part of a substance infusion.
• Magus: Add one of the following weapon special abilities to the list of weapon special abilities the magus may add to his weapon using his arcane pool: defending, ghost touch, merciful, mighty cleaving, vicious; allying, conductive, corrosive, corrosive burst, menacing. Once an ability has been selected with this reward, it cannot be changed.
• Magus: Add 1/2 of an illusion spell from the sorcerer / wizard spell list that isn’t on the magus spell list to the magus’s spellbook. The magus treats this spell as if it were on the magus spell list at the same level as on the sorcerer / wizard list. This spell must be at least 1 level below the highest spell level the magus can cast.
• Medium: Gain a +1/2 bonus on Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, and Sense Motive skill checks against spirits, undead, phantoms, and creatures native to the Astral Plane.
• Mesmerist: Increase the number of mesmerist tricks the mesmerist can use per day by 1/3.
• Monk: Add +1 to the monk's Acrobatics check bonus gained by spending a point from his ki pool. A monk must be at least 5th level to select this benefit.
• Occultist: Increase the duration of the occultist’s minor figment by 1 minute, and increase the total concealment miss chance from the occultist’s distortion resonant power by 2%. This doesn’t increase the maximum miss chance.
• Oracle: Add +1/6 to the oracle's level for the purpose of determining the effects of the oracle's curse ability.
• Paladin: Add +1/2 hit point to the paladin's lay on hands ability (whether using it to heal or harm).
• Psychic: Increase the total number of points in the psychic’s phrenic pool by 1/3 point.
• Ranger: Add DR 1 / magic to the ranger's animal companion. Each additional time the ranger selects this benefit, the DR / magic increases by +1/2 (maximum DR 10 / magic). If the ranger ever replaces his animal companion, the new companion gains this DR.
• Rogue: The rogue gains a +1/2 bonus on Disable Device and Use Magic Device checks related to glyphs, symbols, scrolls, and other magical writings.
• Rogue: Add 1/4 to the Perception and Disable Device DCs of traps the rogue creates.
• Shaman: The shaman gains 1/6 of a new shaman hex.
• Shifter: Gain energy resistance 1 against acid, cold, electricity, or fire. Each time the shifter selects this reward, increase that energy resistance by 1, to a maximum of energy resistance 10. Once the gnome reaches energy resistance 10, they can select a new type of energy to build their resistance to the next time they selects this favored class option.
• Skald: Add a +1 bonus on concentration checks when casting skald spells.
• Slayer: The slayer gains 1/6 of a new slayer talent.
• Sorcerer: Select one bloodline power at 1st level that is normally usable a number of times per day equal to 3 + the sorcerer's Charisma modifier. The sorcerer adds +1/2 to the number of uses per day of that bloodline power.
• Spiritualist: Add 1/6 to the shield bonus granted to the spiritualist while under the effects of either spiritual interference or greater spiritual interference.
• Summoner: Add +1 hit point to the summoner's eidolon.
• Swashbuckler: Increase the number of times per day the swashbuckler can use charmed life by 1/4.
• Vigilante: Gain +1/2 on Bluff checks when attempting to tell a lie that would be true from the point of view of the vigilante’s current identity.
• Warpriest: Add 1/2 to the result of the warpriest’s channeled energy when healing creatures of the animal, fey, and plant types.
• Witch: The witch gains 1/6 of a new witch hex.
• Wizard: Select one arcane school power at 1st level that is normally usable a number of times per day equal to 3 + the wizard's Intelligence modifier. The wizard adds +1/2 to the number of uses per day of that arcane school power.

Racial Traits

+2 Constitution, +2 Charisma, –2 Strength
Gnomes are physically weak but surprisingly hardy, and their enthusiastic attitudes make them naturally agreeable.

Gnome
Gnomes are humanoids with the gnome subtype.

Small
Gnomes are Small creatures and gain a +1 size bonus to their AC, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, a –1 penalty on combat maneuver checks and to their Combat Maneuver Defense, and a +4 size bonus on Stealth checks.

Slow Speed
Gnomes have a base speed of 20 feet.

Low-Light Vision
Gnomes can see twice as far as humans in conditions of dim light.

Defensive Training
Gnomes get a +4 dodge bonus to their AC against monsters of the giant type.

Gnome Magic
Gnomes add 1 to the DCs of any saving throws to resist illusion spells that they cast. Gnomes with a Charisma 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 character level. The DC for these spells is equal to 10 + the spell’s level + the gnome’s Charisma modifier.

Hatred
Gnomes receive a +1 bonus on attack rolls against humanoid creatures of the reptilian and goblinoid subtypes because of their special training against these hated foes.

Illusion Resistance
Gnomes get a +2 racial bonus on saving throws against illusion spells or effects.

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

Obsessive
Gnomes receive a +2 racial bonus on a Craft or Profession skill of their choice.

Weapon Familiarity
Gnomes treat any weapon with the word “gnome” in its name as a martial weapon.

Languages
Gnomes begin play speaking Common, Gnomish, and Sylvan. Gnomes with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following languages: Draconic, Dwarven, Elven, Giant, Goblin, and Orcish.

Average Lifespan
350 years

Average Height
3 ft. 2 in. – 3 ft. 8 in.

Average Weight
50 – 70 lbs.