Gnome
Gnomes are a semi-nomadic race with no particular roots they they, or anyone, know of. They often settle in communities where their tinkering, crafting, and artistic skills make them useful.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Gnomes are diminutive, bipedal humanoids that live alongside humans across modern civilization. They share the traits common to all humanoids, such as language (due to advanced vocal chords) and culture, a forward set pair of eyes and faces capable of displaying a wide range of emotion.
Their teeth and jaws are suited for an omnivorous lifestyle, with cutting teeth in front and grinding teeth in the back. Opposable thumbs allow for greater manual dexterity and expanded tool use, relative to other creatures.
Gnomes tend to exhibit sexual dimorphism and male gnomes tend to be slightly larger than female gnomes, though no evidence exists that either gender is more or less capable than the other at any physical or mental task.
Genetics and Reproduction
The majority of gnomes can be biologically divided into two genders, male and female. Gnomes reproduce sexually and are vivaporous, meaning they give birth to live young. Female gnomes carry the fetus for an average gestational period of 7 months. Offspring traits are determined through the reception of genetic material from their parents, generally presenting the dominant gene for any particular trait.
Growth Rate & Stages
Infancy consists of two stages, the newborn stage followed by the toddler stage. Together, this period lasts for approximately two years with the initial newborn stage generally taking up less than a quarter of that time.
The next three years are considered early childhood. During this time, gnomes learn languages at an accelerated rate and begin to pick up on cultural norms. During this period, they gain a sense of independence and begin to understand observable concepts such as the passage of time, space, or distance.
Middle childhood lasts until the child is somewhere between 10 and 13 years old. During this period, gnomes gain an understanding of their place in the world while learning a variety of academic and practical skills.
Adolescence spans the bulk of a gnome's teenage years and is marked by several physiological changes such as growth spurts and sexual maturation. This period also marks serious consideration of more abstract concepts, such as love, freedom, fear, and death. During this stage, gnomes tend to seek instances of total independence from their family units while forming stronger bonds with peers.
Socially, gnomes are considered adults on their 16th birthday. Physiological changes often continue for a few years after, but gnomes are almost always fully mature by their 20th year. From this time until they are around 40, gnomes are at their physiological peak and tend to retain a youthful appearance and exuberance for life. This is the time in a gnome's life where they are expected to operate as individuals in their society, however, inexperience often leads to poor choices or involvement in dangerous activities. They can often change vocations during this time and experiment with a variety of relationships, seeking a foundation for stability.
The next thirty years are considered the prime of a gnome's life. By this time, experience and accomplishments have lead most gnomes to their 'place' in life and society. They have often settled into a vocation, a relationship, and a routine. It is during this time period that gnomes first notice signs of aging, such as greying or whitening of hair, enlarged ears and noses, balding, and aging of the skin.
The last 30 years of the average gnome's life, or late adulthood, is marked by a transition from an active routine to a preparation for death. Organic systems begin to degrade, and poor habits throughout a lifetime often manifest results during this period. The upper life expectancy of gnomes is 100 years, though there are some instances of gnomes surpassing that limit.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Gnomes are omnivorous and require organic sustenance to fuel their activities. A variety of animals and plants can be consumed by gnomes, requiring caution against poison, spoilage, and disease.
Modern farming and fishing practices have freed gnomes from food gathering activities.
Additional Information
Social Structure
As gnomes do not have their own kingdom or homeland, the most important gnomish social structure is family. Often, extended family groups will migrate from one region and settle in another. A gnome's bond to family is of utmost importance, followed by a general allegiance to all of gnomekind. From time to time, gnomes are cast from their families and solitary gnomes are often regarded with suspicion by other gnomes.
Facial characteristics
Gnomes tend to have heads that are slightly larger in proportion to their body as human heads are to theirs.
Gnome eyes are more varied in coloration than humans, and colors such as black, violet, and amber are commonly found among the race. Further, the iris of a gnome varies in size, and can often cover a majority of the exposed eye. Eyes are protected by a single eyelid ringed with eyelashes, thicker in top.
Gnomes have straight, thick, unruly hair atop their heads and they often exhibit otherwise exotic hair coloration. Their eyebrows can grow several inches and are generally pushed to the sides, so as not to interfere with their vision, or tickle their cheeks. Males can grow facial hair quite thickly, near as thick as a dwarf, though their is no societal norm that keeps them from shaving. Female gnomes tend to have less hair growth on their face, though heavy sideburns are common.
Gnomes have pert noses and long, slender ears that stand away from the sides of the head. However, after middle age, noses and hair both begin to grow again and many elder gnomes have bulbous noses and their ears sag or flop downwards.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Gnomes can be found all across the Five Empires. They do not recall their roots and any evidence of their origin has been lost since the Cataclysm. With the discovery of the shrouded continent, some gnomes are eager to see if any clues can be found with the halflings that dwell there.
Average Intelligence
Gnomes are not necessarily smarter than other humanoid races, however they do have a predilection towards rational and logical thought, making them excellent engineers and mathematicians. With the return of magic, many gnomes have displayed an aptitude towards the art of melding science with the arcane.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Gnomes have superior vision and can perceive a broader spectrum of light than humans. This results in darkvision out to sixty feet.
Civilization and Culture
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Gnomes are raised to speak the common trade tongue as well as the language of whatever region they are raised. Most gnomes also speak some form of Foru, though the extent and dialect is often wildly different from one region to another. Interestingly, the halflings found on the shrouded continent speak a version of Foru as well.
Scientific Name
Phu'hou kwiph
/pʰʌŋ ˈhansaː kwup/
/pʰʌŋ ˈhansaː kwup/
Lifespan
100 years
Average Height
Male 3'5" (3'0" +2d4 inches)
Female 3'3" (2'10" +2d4 inches)
Female 3'3" (2'10" +2d4 inches)
Average Weight
Male 45 lbs (40 + x1 lbs)
Female 40 lbs (35 + x1 lbs)
Female 40 lbs (35 + x1 lbs)
Average Physique
Slender limbs
Varied trunk
Varied trunk
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Dark to Light Skin
Generally Uniform
Blues, Reds, and Yellows Common
Generally Uniform
Blues, Reds, and Yellows Common
Related Organizations
In Kealaphus, change the Rock Gnome Tinker ability to read as:
