Gnomes

Basic Information

Anatomy

Gnomes possess a humanoid form, albeit featuring more sharp and angular features

Biological Traits

Gnomes are very obviously creatures of the fey, having come from the Wyld Realm like many of the fey races, they are inherently magical beings. No matter the gnome, they are said to be highly creative and famous for their inherit talent for illusion magic. This fact espically gnomes use to their advantage to keep out of sight for others. This is another intresting quirk of Gnome biology, in that both subtypes of gnomes seem avverse to drawing too much attention. This is theorized to be a learned response for avoiding larger predators, and has since stuck in gnome psychology. Gnomes have subtypes: Forest and Deep. Forest gnomes are the most plentiful type of gnomes, though they tend to keep out of sight. While many gnomes have begun living in wider society, the vast majority of forest gnomes live in small communities in small underground conclaves. These conclaves are typically in forested areas, but favor places of strong fey energy. They are inherntinly flowing with illusion magics, and they are able to speak with animals and other woodland creatures. The other type of gnome is the Deep Gnome. Deep Gnomes were never the most popular gnome subtype, and ever since the Underdark Cataclysm they have shrunk even smaller in number.  Having lived most of their lives in the underdark, nowadays they live in deep cave communities, or in the alleyways of cities.

Genetics and Reproduction

Gnomes reproduce sexually, however their gestation period can vary wildly from 6 months to a year.

Growth Rate & Stages

Gnomes mature at around the same rate

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Mostly human like faces, but with sharper and more angular faces. Known for having pointed noses and ears.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Typically in forested areas around Nilush. More communities appear nearby the Dale Woods or places of heavy fey energy concentrations.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Gnomes inherit their fey herritage, and so have exceptionally good eyesight.

Civilization and Culture

Gender Ideals

Gnomes on the whole are an egallitarian people.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Gnomes speak a language simply knwon as Gnomish. It is believed to be derrived from the Sylvan tongue of the Wyld Realm

Common Dress Code

Most gnomes seem to be fond of wearing either a large pointed hats. This is such a common fashion item amongst gnomes some have debated if they are a part of their body. This is, of course, not ture, but the pointed hats are likely due to being able to help prevent ariel predators from attacking for fear of poking them. It is also believed that it represents their spirits standing tall admist the backdrop of society and life.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Gnomes are small, brave, but shy and cautious folk. They are jovial like Dwarves, but far less open then them, and that is saying something given how Dwarves are so insular. They are much more at home outside of the focus of society, and tend to prefer quiet lives to the loud and bombastic lives of adventuerers. However, many gnomes do become adventuerers if they feel a certain wonder of the outside world. Regardless, Gnomes are also known as incredibly wise, and there are many folk tales of people seeking counsel with Gnomes, though there is challenge in even finding the Gnomes to ask them. While they aren't hostile to outsiders in general, they are wary of them.
Gnomish religon isn't well known outside of gnomish circles. They believe the gnomish gods made them to catalog the joys and mysterys of the forests and the wildlife. Their deities are:

• Hepnet: Gnomish god of Travel, Forests, and Wisdom
• Jinsmu: Gnomish god of Illusion, Trickery, and Entertainment
• Zerist: Gnomish god of Protection and Warriors
• Paiklar: More of a demonic figure in gnomish religon, believed to represent the Red Caps and the fear of bad deeds and bloodlust.

History

In truth, we know precious little of gnomish history, but some stories do help paint a picture. It is believed that they are not from this world, and instead from the Wyld Realm (much like the ancestors of the elves and other fey races). It is said that they used to be minor faeires of the Wyld Realm, ruled by the Seelie and Unsellie courts. They were but the humble subjects under the rule of the faire courts, preffering to stay out of the limelight and let the faires get all the stories written about them. However sometime after the elves started to be created, many gnomes wished to travel out to this weird mythical realm of rules as opposed to the chaos of their realm. So it was that with the help of their gods, they played a trick upon the Seelie courts to make them think they wouldnt leave, only for many to travel out to the Mortal Realm. However, this prank backfired, as when the Seelie courts caught wind of the deception, they banished the remaining gnomes into the mortal realm out of spite. What's worse, those that tried to hide in the Wyld Realm were changed by plagues from the Seelie and UNseelie into the dreaded Redcaps. However, many Gnomes still managed to escape into the mortal realm. So it was that the gnomes began to scatter into the forests and caves to hide from predators. However some of their first contact was with the Dwarves, who strangely enough both Dwarves and Gnomes have a ammicable freindship to this day.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Gnomes are an oddity, but not unwelcome in most places. Among the lands of Nilush, they prefer to keep to their forested communities, or live in deep caves. For this reason, some people sometime mistake them for skinny dwarves or halflings, but this is an easy way to get puched and shamed by gnomes. They are friendly despite their aversion to social situations, and are known as being almost primal fonts of wisdom and wordly knowledge. One thing of note is that Gnomes and Dwarves are on decently good terms, some joking that the two races known for avoiding others would of course become friends with one another. In truth, this is mostly due to their first contact with each other, and the years of trade and on and off cultural exchange amongst each other.

Lifespan

Around 500 years

Average Height

3-4 feet tall

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Body tint can varry between fair to tan to brown skin