Gnome

Appearance

A gnome’s energy and enthusiasm for living shines through every inch of his or her tiny body. Gnomes average slightly over 3 feet tall and weigh 40 to 45 pounds. Their tan or brown faces are usually adorned with broad smiles (beneath their prodigious noses), and their bright eyes shine with excitement. Their fair hair has a tendency to stick out in every direction, as if expressing the gnome’s insatiable interest in everything around.

Gnomes speak as if they can’t get the thoughts out of their heads fast enough. Even as they offer ideas and opinions on a range of subjects, they still manage to listen carefully to others, adding the appropriate exclamations of surprise and appreciation along the way.

Though gnomes love jokes of all kinds, particularly puns and pranks, they’re just as dedicated to the more serious tasks they undertake. Many gnomes are skilled engineers, alchemists, tinkers, and inventors. They’re willing to make mistakes and laugh at themselves in the process of perfecting what they do, taking bold (sometimes foolhardy) risks and dreaming large.

Average Characteristics

• Age: Gnomes mature at the same rate humans do, and most are expected to settle down into an adult life by around age 40. They generally live to about 150.
• Size: Gnomes are between 2 and 3 feet tall and average about 40 pounds.
• Language: Gnomish

Locations

One of the original races of Ellebore the gnomes can be found in many places. While some gnomes enjoy living mixed with the other races, most of them prefer to remain in their own villages and enclaves.

History

In the early years of the Ellebore expansion, gnomes were originally quite excited to see these new taller humans and elves. The feeling was mutual as the aforesaid peoples were entralled by the gadgets and clockwork machines the gnomes produced.

During the War of the Undead the gnomes threw themselves into the fight, contributing many golems and other wonders to the fight. In the end, however the gnome population was decimated by the undead armies.

After the war, many of the gnomes retreated into the Wilderness of western Ellebore, hiding into thier hills, burrows, and forests. The occasional gnome would occasionally be seen in the wider world, but it was years before the majority of the gnomes felt comfortable walking among the big folk. Unfortunately, this was right about the time that Kelveren began his conquest.