Gnome
Gnomes are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.
Positively tiny compared to most of the other sentient races, gnomes stand only a little over 3 feet tall on average and weigh only 50 pounds or so, often less. Their small frames contain an abundant zest for living, however, and a vibrant curiosity and genuine thrill for experiencing the world and all it has to offer. A gnome's appearance often reflects their personality. Though the expectation might be wild hair, decorative (or even garish) clothing and an abundance of contraptions about their person, one is equally likely to find a reserved, neat and fastidious gnome decked out in a neat tailored suit of clothes and with carefully styled and parted hair.
As a species, gnomes have a propensity for creation, exploration and learning everything they can. Perhaps due to their small stature, however, they tend towards living among other gnomes in busy, tightly packed neighborhoods. Gnomes often do their best creative work around other gnomes, who are far more likely to be encouraging of potentially dangerous or destructive experiments, the results of which have led to many accidents but also some of the advancements in Valinian technology that have benefitted the world at large.
With a life span of around 150 years, gnomes count themselves among the longer lived species, but their reputation for trying to fit every enjoyment they can into that century and a half is not unearned. Gnomes often give the impression that such a span is too little a time to discover enough about the world and to savor it's beauties and wonders. They have a reputation for speaking fast and running ideas into each other, as if they have to expel the thoughts from their mind in order to make room for more. However, as opinionated as this can make many gnomes seem, they are careful and attentive listeners between their many interjections and opinions.
Gnomes tend not to take themselves, or others, too seriously. They dream big and are not afraid of making mistakes along the path to their enlightenment. They are natural risk takers, jokers, pranksters and this can create trouble for them among more serious cultures. On the forefront of technological advances, gnome technologists are commonly sought out as tutors, professors and educators, but also as innovators and problem solvers across a wide variety of fields.
Three main ethnicities of gnome exist in Valine. Broadly they could be categorized as gnomes who live in urban settings, rural settings and subterranean settings. Those commonly referred to as Woodland Gnomes seem most comfortable in hilly, wooded areas away from the bigger population areas. They make their homes in underground burrows that often connect via short, narrow tunnels, but much of their business is conducted on the surface, where they have collections of workshops, tool sheds, storage buildings and whatever is necessary for their collective. Woodland gnomes gathering in small hamlets or villages with other species tend to live a little outside of town, but within a short walk, with other gnomes of the area as their immediate neighbors. Those not welcomed by the gnome community are unlikely to find their burrow entrances while many of the larger species that would be welcomed simply will not fit. As a result, Woodland Gnomes in any large enough group will build a sort of "Welcome Station" for their larger visitors to shelter comfortably in while they visit. This often takes the form of a general store/makeshift tavern on the outskirts of a settlement but could be as simple as a shelter with a firepit and a few benches to sit upon.
Regal Gnomes are not especially regal (in the accepted sense of the word) either in appearance or demeanor. The term's origins seems to be rooted in an early favor shown to the gnomes more minded to integrate into communities with other species and the favor shown them by the leaders of such communities, including early kings and queens. Regal Gnome communities within larger settlements are instantly recognizable by the seemingly haphazard architecture of the smaller structures that the gnomes use, with buildings connected by bridges and enclosed passageways that can make navigating the streets of a city-based gnomish neighborhood a challenge for some of the larger species.
Deep Gnomes are a somewhat more distance cousin of their surface dwelling bretheren. They live in scattered communities in The Undervale. They seem to most a good deal more serious than surface dwelling gnomes, perhaps the more oppressive underground environment plays a part, and though as inventive as other gnomes, their expertise is more centered in the fields of subterranean agriculture and stonework. Some of their sculptures and architecture rivals that of the finest dwarven creations.
Gnomes adore names, titles and nicknames. Though they learn to use only two or three among those species that are somewhat more circumspect in their naming conventions, among other gnomes most refer to each other with a half dozen or more. A gnome's immediate family give the gnome their first name, various nicknames given by others may stick over the years. Typicaly they are variations on the names of ancestors or distant relatives. Newly invented names are tried out, often discarded, but sometimes stick. They are as likely to choose a name that is fun to say as one with meaning. In the world at large, Regal Gnomes favor a single name with a title or nickname, Woodland Gnomes utilize a given name, a clan name and a nickname, and Deep Gnomes tend to a given name and a subterranean landmark, location or settlement.
The natural impulse to explore the world leads many gnomes into adventuring (or attaching themselves to adventuring parties on their travels for protection) at some point in their lives. Many abandon such pursuits quickly when the inherent dangers become clear but for a sizeable portion, the fascination with travelling and the dangers themselves prove an addictive way of life.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Example Names
Male Names: Alston, Alvyn, Boddynock, Brocc, Ettrgell, Dimble, Eldon, Erky, Fonkin, Frug, Gerbo, Gimble, Glim, Jebeddo, Kellen, Namfoodle, Orryn, Roondar, Seebo, Warryn, Wrenn, ZookFemale Names: Bimpnottin, Breena, Caramip, Carlin, Donella, Duvamil, Ella, Ellyjobell, Ellywick, Lilli, Loopmottin, Lorilla, Mardnab, Nissa, Nyx, Oda, Orla, Roywyn, Shamil, Tana, Waywocket, Zanna
Clan Names: Beren, Daergel, Folkor, Garrick, Nackle, Murnig, Ningcl, Raulnor, Seheppen, Timbers, Turen
Nicknames: Aleslosh, Aslthearth, Badger, Cloak, Doublelock, Filchbatter, Fnipper, Ku, Nina, Oneshoe, Pock, Sparklegem, Scumbleduck
Badger the Gnome by Rob Taylor
Woodland Gnome
Lifespan
150 years
Average Height
3' to 3'6"
Average Weight
35-55 pounds
Related Ethnicities
Gnome
Ability Score Increase +2 Int
Size Small
Speed 25 ft
Gnome Traits
Gnome Cunning
You have advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic. Darkvision
Accustomed to life underground, you can see in darkness within 60 feet of you as if it were dim light. However, you can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray. Gnome Ethnicities
Three ethnicities of gnomes are found in the world. Choose one: Regal Gnome, Woodland Gnome, Deep Gnome
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Gnomish. The Gnomish language, which uses the Dwarvish script, is renowned for its technical treatises and its catalogs of knowledge about the natural world.
Regal Gnome
Deep Gnome Harvester by Rob Taylor
Deep Gnome
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