My write up of Gnomes
Gnomes are diminutive humanoids standing between 7 inches and 1 foot tall. Proportionally speaking, Gnomes have large noses and sharp eyes, but other than being slightly hairier, they are essential identical to the average human in shape. Gnome do have acute hearing and an exceptional sense of smell, and even in complete darkness are able to find their way by smell. They are intelligent and very quick moving with exceptional agility, for their size they are aslo very strong.
Gnome are often described as cousins to dwarves however this is erroneous as gnome have more in common with Pixie and Faery than with the much larger dwarf race.
Gnomes are found in a variety of habitats including mountains, hills and forest, and even within the walls and floor of houses. In all these settings they maintain a semi-subterranean lifestyle usually by constructing burrows or large 'mounds'. As burrowers gnomes have an affinity for burrowing animals and some may even have an emphatic link and the ability to communicate with the animals around them
Gnomes are intelligent and famed for their inventiveness and engineering talent.
Gnomes are friendly and curious and so often take an interest in others, however they do take offense seriously and hold a grudge for a very long time.
Gnome Gender
It is believed by some that all gnomes are male, as females are rarely if ever encountered by non-gnomes. It would seem however that gnomes are in fact hermaphrodites, and that development of female characteristics occurs for environmental reasons and usually only amongst mature gnomes
Gnomes are beleived to mature in three stages which are linked to environmental factors. It is not entirely possible to emphatically determine the of gnome lifespan, except to say that it is long. Gnomes average at around 300 years, but this may be longer or shorter depending on the rate of maturity. One legend does state that when a gnome becomes 'old' it is absorbed into the ground and reborn, however this is not true.
The three identified stages of gnome maturation are Juvenile, Youth-Adult and Mature Adult.
Juveniles are aged from birth to 12 years HE (Human Equivalent), they are covered in a coat of soft hair and have no visible gentialia. Juvenile gnomes mature at the same rate other races. Juveniles are greatly cherished and indulged by their clan.
Youth-Adults age from 12 years on and the vast majority of gnomes fall into this range. Adult gnomes loose most of their body hair and also develop genital protrusions. Some youthful females have been noted but are rare and greatly prized by their clans. An unusual fact of Gnome physiology is that this immature adult state is not linked to age and gnomes can remain 'youthful' indefinitely (hence the above stated confusion with gnome age)
At some point however gnomes do age and reach full maturity. However this has more to do with environmental factors than to time. During this Mature stage most gnomes develop beards and male genitalia, while a few begin to develop female characteristics, including development of the mammary and the ability to reproduce.
This mature female is known as the 'Ama' (Mother) and with her primary male mate called the Omak (husband) is usually the head of a given clan.
Besides the Primary mate the Ama may have many other mates. All other members of her clan are mostly likely to be her own children
SOCIETY
Gnomes have an uncertain origin and their own legends claim that they 'Emerged' from the 'Rock', leading some theorist to propose that Gnome are in fact elemental in nature (if they are they show no outward sign of it). Gnomes appear infrequently in history and this is largely how gnomes like it. They acknowledge that the World has developed around them, but only recognise it when it suits their needs, otherwise the average gnome and gnome clan just wants to be left to do its 'own thing' without interference from 'big-nobs'
Gnomes dwell in clans of around 100 members, although they may appear singularly or in huge 'Swarms' of up to 1000 members from related clans.
Although able to hold its own, a lone gnome is, due to its size, vulnerable. However in a clan and indeed in a swarm gnomes act with incredible coordination and are truly formidable.
Many legends of gnome team work and innovation are known, and many archaic monoliths and standing stones are attributed to the coordination and efforts of gnomes. Indeed on a number of occasions gnomes have been observed using teamwork and creative thinking to lift and move huge loads by hand (on average 100 gnomes can collectively lift a ton)
Gnomes are adept at arcana (but will avoid necromancy), they are exceptional engineers and skilled artisans. They are also known for their quick minds and business savvy. Due to limitations of size gnomes are of course generally ineffective as warriors (Warrior Clans and Brownie Fian not withstanding), however gnome do make exceptional scouts and spies (and thieves if you want to steal small things)
RELIGION
By Orbril the Gnome, Master of the Circus Maximus
I have been asked to expand on the issue of Gnome Religious Beliefs and am delighted to do so.
First let me state that Gnomes are a very pious people, but like most of what they do, they make no 'big show' of their piety and much of gnome belief must be gleaned by observing their simpler behaviours.
Amongst the Common Gnomes religious types have emerged and tend to follow the standard Faith of their region but comment has been made that although 30% of Gnomes have Faith in the Church, 100% have Faith in the 'Rock'.
As has been stated Gnome Tradition says that we as a race 'Emerged' from the 'Rock'. Now certain Brownie Clans in the High Mountains will ocasionally point to the highest peak and claim that the actual 'Rock' is there. Other Gnomes scoff at this idea but at one stage trade in 'Shards of the Rock' was widespread and it was considered 'trendy' to own a 'Shard'.
Most gnome belief however is not so specific, gnomes believe that 'The Land Provides' everything we need to survive, and that it will even reshape itself to meet our needs. As such gnomes live simple and uncomplicated lives harvesting what they need and helping where they can. They may also seem uncannily lucky as things simply 'fall into place'.
When gnomes make a major harvest (like the Autumn Berry harvest) they will leave a small polished stone beneath the brambles as a token of thanks, they will do the same when catching fish leaving the stones in the water - it is beleived that taking these stones will bring misfortune (Which if it has been left by a Brownie or Boggan will usually be at their hands!)
Other than this Gnomes believe in the same dieties as everyone else!
GNOME TYPES
At least four distinct groups of Gnome are known, each having particular cultural differences.
Common Gnome: Common Gnomes are usually found in hill and forests areas where they dwell in carefully crafted mound-burrows. Some common gnomes (known as Borrowers) have also moved into the houses of other humanoids where they live within the walls and floors of large buildings, or in the barns of farm houses
Common gnomes, being more settled than the other types, are the ones best known for their craftsmanship. They have more contact with urban centers and other races and are well represented in trade and other commercial enterprise. Many are also considered pious and religious and Gnome monks are not unknown.
Brownies: Slightly hairier but otherwise identical to the common gnome, Brownies have a more primitive lifestyle than other types. They dwell in mountain and moorland areas where their coarser hair helps to insulate their bodies. Brownie are sometimes called Blue-skin gnomes due to the allied practice of tattooing the bodies with intricate whorls and circles, and of smearing themselves with blue woad. Brownie are considerable more feisty and warlike than other gnomes, and often engage in great inter clan feuds (rarely fatal). They are also known to regularly steal cattle and other livestock (it is considered a sport), and may even help passing strangers who are in trouble. They do however keep grudges and will hunt down and punish anyone who wrongs them.
Certain Brownies (called the Fian) have the ability to enter a warp-spasm (similar to a barbarian rage) which boost their strength and stamina to incredible levels, and one legend even tells of how the Fian warrior (Cal Khalon) single-handedly defeated three trolls while in a Spasm. Although if this is just a legend or true none will say.
Brownies are now very rare as most have been absorbed into more civilised gnome clans.
Some Gnome Prestige Races IMC
The following are not distinct cultures but particular lifestyles within other gnomish groups that deserve special mention for their prevalence and social standing.
Korrigan: A special class of gnome with particular penchant for illusion and magic. Korrigan are both greedy and naturally reclusive, and many Boggarts come from this type. Korrigan are also unusual due to their ability to increase their size for short periods, and they have been known to grow to 10 feet tall in order to complete a particular task before reverting back to their natural size. Korrigan have been known to help others but will usually extract a payment before doing so (the most famous Korrigan was of course Rumpelstilskin)
Boggarts are old mature males who have rejected clan life and become recluses. Many Boggarts take up residents in mineshafts and caves (possibly why gnomes are associated with dwarves), while others become wandering hermits. Boggarts are characterized in gnome circles as 'grumpy old men' who spurn all company. It is reputed that Boggarts have the ability to sniff out gems and precious metals by scent alone, but this also is the subject of much debate over racial scholars as it has not been conclusively proven. Most Boggarts will attempt to confuse and lose those they are leading or lead them into quicksand or over the edge of cliffs rather than reveal the truth of the secret .
Boggan is the gnomish word for 'Bogeyman' and refers to any gnome of evil character, such as the infamous McBean clan of Brownie cannibals. Boggans are usually ostracized and exiled from gnome society, but still harass gnomes from the fringes. Boggan may seek company with Dark Faery and are also known to take pleasure in terrorizing the homes of other humanoids.
