Golden Gnomes
Living on the broad, grassy plains of central Terra Main, the Golden Gnomes live a life of spirituality and respect for Nature... and to battle the unnatural forces that seek to destroy that natural beauty, whether it be monstrous Aberrations or mundane poachers. Being hermaphroditic, Golden Gnome gender is meaningless.
Alignment: Golden Gnomes, as a Race, lean towards Chaotic Good, but all alignments are represented, with Lawful Evil being the most rare.
Adventurers: Most Golden Gnomes are trained from birth as either warriors (Fighters, Rangers... usually considered to be masculine) or healers (Clerics, Bards... usually considered to be feminine). Because of their small size, natural agility and endless curiosity, Golden Gnomes also make decent Rogues or Scouts. Sorcerers (Soul Mages) are much more common among Golden Gnomes than Wizards.
Basic Information
Biological Traits
Golden Gnomes are easily distinguished from the other Races by their short stature, their large, expressive eyes, their small canine 'fangs' and by their eponymous golden-hued skintone. Their eyes, no matter the particular color, are often compared to pure colors found in nature, such as deep sapphire sky blue, sunset purple, earthy clay reddish-brown, and seagreen.
Genetics and Reproduction
Golden Gnomes are hermaphroditic, with little to no biological distinctions existing between individuals that identify as 'masculine' or 'feminine'. natural variations exist in height, body type, etc, but these are not the product of biological sex as most of the Races understand them. In short, any two Golden Gnomes may couple, with either being the 'patron' or 'matron' of the child. Many Golden Gnomes have both roles in their lifetime, often at the same time, being the patron of one child and the matron of another.
Ecology and Habitats
The vast, rolling and sometimes scorching plains of mid-TerraMain are where the Golden Gnomes create their tribes and live in their shamanistic ways. Officially, according to the city of Terra, the area is either a "natural reserve" or a "reservation", depending on the bureaucrat one asks.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Taking their names from their environment, most Golden Gnome monikers are of two descriptive parts, such as "SplinterCat" (a Rogue), "ShatterHawk" (a Warrior), or "LifeWind" (a Healer).
Average Technological Level
Golden Gnome technology, at its highest form, consists of leather-tanning, simple weapon creation, and advanced, potent Herbalism. In addition, Golden Gnomes have learned the secrets of cultivating Ironroot, a light, nigh-unbreakable wood, for use in tools, weapons and armor.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Plainspeak, the name outsiders have given to the eclectic smattering of related languages that exist over breadth of the central plains, is a highly corrupted form of ancient Elven, with bits of the more lyrical words and phrases from tribal Orcish and Fey.
Culture and Cultural Heritage
Their curious nature and plucky attitude make them some of the most determined people of New Genesis.
Common Myths and Legends
As mentioned above, the Golden Gnomes have a very Nature-based religious structure that includes, and is a complex mixture of, Druidism, Animism, Ancestor Worship, and overall insight into the "Spirit World".
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Golden Gnomes, as a Race, tend to eschew contact with the larger Races, as the other's disconnect from nature unsettles them. Most contact that they have with the other races is in the form of poachers and tresspassers onto their land. Although a Golden Gnomes trust is hard to earn, once it has been, one has a friend for life. The only Race that Golden Gnomes truly dislike are the Aragonians. The dusk-skinned sullen people seem to make Golden Gnomes very uncomfortable and they will actively avoid contact with them, if politely possible.
Scientific Name
aurum dryadalis
Lifespan
60 years
Average Height
3'6'' - 4'0''
Average Weight
60-90 lbs
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