Forest Gnomes

Gnomes come in three subraces; forest gnomes are descended from tinker gnomes who are descended from air gnomes. For a full description of forest gnomes and tinker gnomes, refer to the Player’s Handbook (p. 35) and the section below.

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Strangers in Another’s Land

Gnomes are not native to The Civilized Lands. The progenitors of all gnomes, the air gnomes came long ago from their hidden homeland of Gnomeland. The tinker gnomes descended from them and made their home in the cities of The Civilized Lands. And in time the Forest Gnomes descended from them and moved into the wilderness.

Going Native

As gnomes have dispersed into The Known World, each subrace has adopted more of the attributes of their adopted homeland than the one before it; in particular magic. Air gnomes with their engineering and technology, have an aura that actively opposes magic. However, their tinker gnomes descendants have combined the magical arts with their engineering. Finally, the forest gnomes (descended from tinker gnomes) have abandoned engineering entirely for the magical arts.

The Return Voyage

While most rock and forest gnomes are completely satisfied with their lives and their communities, some dream of “returning” to their homeland. While air gnomes share nothing about Gnomeland (even its existence) with their earthbound brethren, many rock and forest gnomes, having seen the marvels of the air gnomes’ airships and engineering have become resolved to gain passage on an airship and return to Gnomeland.
“The Return Voyage” as the gnomes call it, is a dream of many of The Sword Coast’s gnomes. The air gnomes make clear that this is a one way trip, any gnome that boards an airship and departs with it will not return to The Sword Coast. “The Return Voyage” cannot be simply purchased with a purse filled with gold coin. “The Return Voyage” must be earned.

Earning Passage

As air gnomes do not venture further than their trading houses, when they visit The Sword Coast, they will hire local rock and forest gnomes as their agents. These gnomes act as couriers, liaisons, envoys, investigators, and representatives on behalf of their air gnome employers. They do anything that their employer needs done. This can include contacting trading partners, finding new suppliers of goods, representing their employer in front of the king or local magistrate, or bringing information or maps from inland areas. However, on occasion, the tasks that the local gnome is sent on are of a more clandestine and dangerous nature.
While the air gnomes care little for treasure or magical items, they have a keen interest in history and historical artifacts. The more cunning and capable of their local agents are sometimes tasked with the retrieval of ancient texts and artifacts. These missions can send a rock or forest gnome into a prince’s treasure vault to get the family crest of a conquered foe or the ruined citadel of a legendary wizard to retrieve a tome from her library, or any number of harrowing adventures. When the forest or rock gnome has proved her worth, by completing enough of these missions, they are accepted into the ranks of the air gnomes and taken on “The Return Voyage”.

Ability Score Increase: Intelligence +2, Dexerity +1.
Lifespan: 70-100 years
Size: Gnomes are between 3 and 4 feet tall and average about 40 pounds. Your size is Small.
Speed: Base walking speed is 25 feel.
Darkvision: You have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Gnome Cunning: You have advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic.
Languages: You can speak, read, and write Imperial and Gnomish. The Gnomish language is renowned for its technical treatises and its catalogs of knowledge about the natural world.
Natural Illusionist: You know the minor illusion cantrip. I intelligence is your spellcasting ability for it.
Speak with Small Beasts: Through sounds and gestures, you can communicate simple ideas with Small or smaller beasts. Forest gnomes love animaIs and often keep squirrels, badgers, rabbits, moles, woodpeckers, and other creatures as beloved pets.
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Parent ethnicities

• Tinker Gnomes