Gnomes

The Gnomes are a diminuitive humanoid race native to the Fae Realm. Like all other Fae, the Gnomes are beings of pure magic, with a particular affinity for earth magic, and thus often found in service to the High Fae of the Autumnal Court. As guardians of the natural places of the world (with a heavy focus on plants and animals), Gnomes are the type of Fae most commonly seen within the Mortal Realm, and are well liked by the Mortal races for their efforts in safeguarding their chosen environment (which often includes gardens and vegetable patches), as well as for being the friendliest and least troublesome of the Fae.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Gnomes are assumed to have a humanoid build similar to many of the races of the Mortal Realm, though this is difficult to verify, as their long robes conceal their feet, their hands are covered by a pair of mittens, and their faces are almost completely obscured between their robes and their tall, pointed hats, save for their beard/braids and large round nose.

Biological Traits

While Gnomes appear to be completely identical to one another at first glance, they can still be distinguished by the fact that males have large, bushy beards, while females instead have a pair of long braids poking out from under their hat.

Behaviour

While they normally don't pay much mind to the Mortal Races, Gnomes are nonetheless still friendly towards mortals who don't mean them any harm, even going so far as to reward those who've treated them particularly well (leaving small gifts, fixing broken/damaged items). Due to their dedication to safeguarding the natural world, Gnomes consider all of the animals of the forests and fields (particularly small ones) to be friends.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

It's unknown what a Gnomes face looks like under their obscuring clothing (and bears, in the case of the males), with the only visible physical trait being a large round nose.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

While Gnomes are typically found within the Fae Realm, they have on occassion been known to appear throughout central and northern Imera, particularly the regions of Ulfgard and Durfaehn, whenever they cross over into the Mortal World.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

As one of the Fae Races, Gnomes are an innately magical race, with an affinity for earth magic not even the most skilled mortal mage could match. Commonly observed abilities among Gnomes include the ability to phase through earth (with stories claiming that they are able to move through solid stone as if it were thin air, and sinking into the ground like it were water), the ability to manipulate earth, and a near flawless ability to find valuable underground materials (such as precious metals and stones).

Civilization and Culture

Common Dress Code

Gnomes are most commonly seen wearing a robe that reaches down to the ground, a pair of mittens, and a tall, pointed hat.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Gnomes are generally one of the most well-regarded Fae among the Mortal Races, thanks to their generally friendly disposition and dedication to caring for the natural world around them (including gardens). In fact, a few mortal nations have even incorporated the diminuitive Fae beings into a number of their traditions (such as the winter traditions of Ulfgard and Durfaehn).

Lifespan

Immortal

Average Height

Around 8 inches (including their hat)

Average Physique

Despite their size, Gnomes are deceptively strong, capable of lifting and throwing boulders three times their size one-handed.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Gnomes are typically seen in clothes of various earthy colours.