"Mystics of obsession. A desire to create for the purpose of creation, not to achieve a result. Intelligence ruined by scattered thoughts, like a writing desk filled with short stories left unfinished. A Gnome's work is never done. Their projects and ambitions are often grand, sweeping in scale, inventive and thoughtful, yet always lacking some critical component which inevitably leads them towards some new idea altogether. They possess the creative mind of the Dwarves, but not their earnestness to see their work through to the end. They possess the care-free attitudes of the Halflings, and yet are listlessly busy with thought. Gnomes can be frustrating companions, and friends, but they are noble in their desire to do for doing's sake. They are a small folk, with large hearts, and minds as deep and sprawling as the sky. — Rennian Kaldwell, Historian
Gnomes occupy many strange positions in the hierarchy of mortal races on Orr. There are many Gnomish communities that are utterly hidden from the world through means of illusion, or simply the deep places that they dwell, and others that stand upon its highest masts pointing the way to an unknown future through works of barely understandable artifice. They are a people whose cultures are deeply personal from group to group, and yet they share many general characteristics. No two Gnomes see the world in quite the same way, but they tend to interact with it by the same method, and that method is obsessive discovery.
The Gnomish language, called 'Nhim' is one of the most complicated languages among all the mortal races. It has millions of separate words to represent the great nuance of feelings, engagements, and definitions that the common tongue simply cannot supply. As an example, the concept of "desire" in Nhim has over four hundred separate words, each with their own unique usage depending on the strength of the feeling, the subject matter of the desire, and the Gnome themself. Nhim is the language of artists, diplomats, and scholars for this reason. Plays, scientific exposites, treaties, and great literary works are often written in the language of Nhim.
Protectors of the Hidden Places
In the early eras of the world, the Gnomes were an unknown people. They lived in secluded, hidden communities deep in the forests where they acted as protectors of sacred springs, and of the small beasts of the land. How many conclaves such as these still exist is hard to imagine. Like all Gnomes, the Forest Gnomes are naturally gifted with the arts of illusion magic, which they use to conceal and hide their presence or to camouflage themselves against outsiders and predators of the wilderness.
Forest Gnomes are friends to the mythical beasts and beings of the wilds. To the dryads, the satyrs, the stone giants, fairies, and nymphs. Perhaps it is this reason that many in Orr consider them to be beings of the Feywilds themselves, a rumor that mischievous Gnomes will not deny, nor confirm.
Like all Gnomes, Forest Gnomes are busy with work, but rather than create things of artifice or harrowing contraptions, their work is the replenishment of the forest and the caretaking of its small creatures. Using their magic, their intelligence, and their long lives, they cultivate sacred groves, help protect and grow rare flora, guide their forests into recovery after natural wildfires, and defend it against dark forces and beasts.
Forest Gnomes vary greatly in appearance, and over many years may even develop characteristics that help them blend more deeply into their homes. Some bear fur-like hair upon their bodies, or even moss-like braids. Some grow tough crowns of antlers from their heads. Their pigmentation may even change to earthen hues, until they are nearly indistinguishable from many sprites and monsters. It is believed that the natural, magical abilities of the Gnomes as well as the resonant energies of arcane leylines where their communities are often found is responsible for these changes in their appearances, but some scholars believe it may simply be a boon or gift from the mythical fey of the forest.
Driven into the World
It was the works of Drin that drove the Gnomes into the world. In the northern reaches of the continent of Oerth during the second and third eras of Orr (750AR-2300AR) King Drin's desire to raise metalurgic factories, unearth deposits of Dragon Powder, and terraforming of the northern mountains swept away the natural landscapes and the forests, leaving behind desolate wastelands. The secret places which the Gnomes guarded in those vast terrains were now oil-fields, mines, and sprawling cities.
Their homes had been destroyed, and their way of life with it. Many Gnomes fled to the southern reaches of the world, but others clung here to the lands that they knew, hoping against hope that the damage could be undone. Instead, their obsessive and inquisitive natures were preyed upon by Drin's marvelous machinery and technology. Here they began to thrive as they had never done. Their natural intellect, and desire for new discovery had found a well from which they could forever drink without the thirst being quenched.
Those Gnomes that did head southward also joined communities of other mortals as they searched for new homes, and like their northern cousins were swept up in the vast delights of city living, politics, and artistic pursuits. While other areas of the world still bore hidden communities of Forest Gnomes, more and more Gnomes began to choose to live alongside the other races, and were quickly adopted. Their skills, their great minds, and their natural talents of magic made them welcomed members of the cities and courts where they arrived (even if their mischievous and pranking natures were sometimes found unbearable).
Cursed to Become Stone
No one, not even the Gnomes, know what curse was laid upon those who chose to leave the forests. Some believe that in ancient times they may have made promises with the Elladrin of the Feywild, others believe that Gnomes require connection to the world's magical leylines and that in populated cities the power of these wells of magic are too far diluted amongst such large populations.
Whatever the reason may be, the Gnomes who left the forest found they had become cursed to turn into stone. The only way to prevent this terrible fate is for the Gnomes to busy themselves with new discovery and new experiences. Some call this curse 'The Bleaching' others refer to it as 'Calcification' but regardless of its term, this is the cause for the nearly ceaseless, and obsessive nature of the Gnomes of Orr. Without new inventions, without new work, without new and exciting adventures and enterprises they risk one day becoming frozen for all of time.
Though many have studied the phenomenon, not remedy or spell has proved successful in undoing this terrible magic.
Appearances & Attitudes
The innate magical nature of the Gnomes creates a surprising array of physical characteristics, however, there are some inherent attributes which all Gnomes share. They are a small people, the tallest among them standing barely three and a half feet, their ears have a Fey-like curve and pointedness to them similar to the Elves, and their noses are distinctly larger than other races. Male Gnomes are typically stout, and female Gnomes are generally more slender.
As a Gnome ages their hair colors often take on brilliant shades. Extreme life events and discoveries can cause a Gnome's hair to change color overnight. Forest Gnomes, of course, change greatly as they live and become more acclimated to their homes. If driven from their lands, they will often shed these characteristics rather quickly.
Gnomes are mischievous in nature. They enjoy playing practical, and whimsical pranks on others. They have a tendency to overindulge in topics of their interest, and in general most Gnomes are easily distracted by new ideas and interesting phenomenon. Gnomes often subsist on a vegetarian or vegan diet due to their close relationships with the small beasts of the world. While not considered cowardly by any means, they are a cautious people who prefer to avoid danger and leave well-enough alone unless that danger threatens their communities or way of life. Gnomes are well received by the Fey and mythical beings of the wild.
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