Hi guys,
The Quintessential Gnome has arrived - in fact, it is at the warehouse now and is shipping to distributors over the next few days, so should be available in local stores sometime later next week!
Written by Mongoose writer Alejandro Melchor (EA Constructs, Quintessential Paladin, among many, many others), the Quintessential Gnome launches straight in with some brand new Character Concepts for the short folk, all of which are geared towards an aspect of the Gnome's background or personality. Choices include the Accidental Hero, the Irrepressible, Misunderstood Genius, Tinker and Troublemaker, among many others.
The Prestige Gnome focuses on specific areas of skill and ability where Gnbomes excel - these include the Arcane Brewer, Critter Master, High Illusionist, Mechanist, Prankster, Priest of Laughter and, a favourite of mine, the Submariner!
Tricks of the Gnomes was always going to be an interesting chapter to expand a character. Gnomes are noted for writing ever discovery they make down, and full rules are provided for the creation, reading and understanding of these texts, covering every subject imaginable (and quite a few that only a Gnome could come up with). Some sample tomes are also included, such as the Monstrous Encyclopaedia, The Complete Golem and Social Skills in High Society. Rules are also provided for Gnomish masterworking and the ability to jury-rig almost any mechanical device 'in the field'. On top of this, Gnomish uses for skills are covered, allowing them to Identify Diseases and Wounds, Guage Alchemical Value and Board Vehicle, among many other tricks.
Gnome Feats expands the utility of a Gnome in any adventuring party, granting him Animal Affinity, Believable Illusions, Prodigious Hands or Sense of the Material. A total of 23 new feats have been included, all specifically designed for Gnome characters.
The next chapter, Tools of the Gnomes, takes a look at some of the devices and equipment to be found in the hands of the short folk. Perhaps my favourite weapon, cynically overlooked by games designers up to now, is the Board With A Nail In It
However, a veritable arsenal has been described, including a Knight Opener (polearm), Grenade Launcher (no steam required!), Super-Throwing Axe, War Boomerang, Axepick Rebounder (umm, you'll have to see this one for yourself. . .) and Screecher Arrow. If your Gnome fighter cannot find his own identity in this chapter, there is no hope for him! Armour has not been neglected either, though I would be torn between the Comfy Armour and the Double Plate. However, Gnomes are nothing if not ambitious and the wise Gnome knows that weapons and armour will only take you so far. If you want to make an impression, try the War Machines section of this chapter! Here we are treated to the Triple Chariot, Ram-Drill, Dragoncracker and, best of all, a 2,500 gp Clanking Siege Wagon. The orcs may hear you coming but they will soon be running! More mundane (not to say useful) items are also covered, such as the Helmet of Goggles, Cooler and Mobile Scaffold, along with a wide range of Alchemical Substances - overall, this has to be the longest Tools chapter we have yet done in a Quintessential. Somehow fitting for Gnomes. . .
Gnomish Technology allows players to take their creations to the next level, building truly wondrous items without messing around with unpredictable magic. A complete machine construction system is detailed here, covering form, function, power sources, maintenance and other factors that will keep a Gnome delighted for years.
He Who Laughs Last is a chapter dedicated to the lighter side of the Gnomish personality, and provides a mechanism whereby characters can gain 'Prankstige', a type of reputation that can make a player legendary among Gnomes.
Following this are the Gnomish Sub-Races, perfect for a player who is tempted by Gnome characters and yet wants to try something just a little bit different - alternaticvely, Games Masters can use this chapter to populate entire regions of their world with a type of Gnome the players will be wholly unfamiliar with. Here you will find Rock Gnomes, Deep Gnomes, Forest Gnomes, Steam Gnomes, Lake Gnomes and a certain breed that I will not mention here but will be fiercely controversial among those who like to defend their Gnome characters
Gnomish Magic adds some new rules for handling illusions and also covers Gnomish religion, providing some generic deities that can be renamed and placed within any campaign setting, along with the unique domains of Craft and Laughter.
The last chapter, Burrows and Workshops, provides a logical conclusion to the book, giving higher level Gnomes something to work towards when they feel their adventuring days are nearly done and the idea of rulership or tinkering all day every day becomes steadily more appealing. Full details are given on how to construct the Gnome version of a stronghold, complete with their own defences that will be guaranteed to give any wandering monster the shock of its life.
The book is rounded off with a complete Index, Rules Summary and Character Sheet (the latter of which is already available on our web site for download).
The Quintessential Gnome has arrived - in fact, it is at the warehouse now and is shipping to distributors over the next few days, so should be available in local stores sometime later next week!
Written by Mongoose writer Alejandro Melchor (EA Constructs, Quintessential Paladin, among many, many others), the Quintessential Gnome launches straight in with some brand new Character Concepts for the short folk, all of which are geared towards an aspect of the Gnome's background or personality. Choices include the Accidental Hero, the Irrepressible, Misunderstood Genius, Tinker and Troublemaker, among many others.
The Prestige Gnome focuses on specific areas of skill and ability where Gnbomes excel - these include the Arcane Brewer, Critter Master, High Illusionist, Mechanist, Prankster, Priest of Laughter and, a favourite of mine, the Submariner!
Tricks of the Gnomes was always going to be an interesting chapter to expand a character. Gnomes are noted for writing ever discovery they make down, and full rules are provided for the creation, reading and understanding of these texts, covering every subject imaginable (and quite a few that only a Gnome could come up with). Some sample tomes are also included, such as the Monstrous Encyclopaedia, The Complete Golem and Social Skills in High Society. Rules are also provided for Gnomish masterworking and the ability to jury-rig almost any mechanical device 'in the field'. On top of this, Gnomish uses for skills are covered, allowing them to Identify Diseases and Wounds, Guage Alchemical Value and Board Vehicle, among many other tricks.
Gnome Feats expands the utility of a Gnome in any adventuring party, granting him Animal Affinity, Believable Illusions, Prodigious Hands or Sense of the Material. A total of 23 new feats have been included, all specifically designed for Gnome characters.
The next chapter, Tools of the Gnomes, takes a look at some of the devices and equipment to be found in the hands of the short folk. Perhaps my favourite weapon, cynically overlooked by games designers up to now, is the Board With A Nail In It
However, a veritable arsenal has been described, including a Knight Opener (polearm), Grenade Launcher (no steam required!), Super-Throwing Axe, War Boomerang, Axepick Rebounder (umm, you'll have to see this one for yourself. . .) and Screecher Arrow. If your Gnome fighter cannot find his own identity in this chapter, there is no hope for him! Armour has not been neglected either, though I would be torn between the Comfy Armour and the Double Plate. However, Gnomes are nothing if not ambitious and the wise Gnome knows that weapons and armour will only take you so far. If you want to make an impression, try the War Machines section of this chapter! Here we are treated to the Triple Chariot, Ram-Drill, Dragoncracker and, best of all, a 2,500 gp Clanking Siege Wagon. The orcs may hear you coming but they will soon be running! More mundane (not to say useful) items are also covered, such as the Helmet of Goggles, Cooler and Mobile Scaffold, along with a wide range of Alchemical Substances - overall, this has to be the longest Tools chapter we have yet done in a Quintessential. Somehow fitting for Gnomes. . .Gnomish Technology allows players to take their creations to the next level, building truly wondrous items without messing around with unpredictable magic. A complete machine construction system is detailed here, covering form, function, power sources, maintenance and other factors that will keep a Gnome delighted for years.
He Who Laughs Last is a chapter dedicated to the lighter side of the Gnomish personality, and provides a mechanism whereby characters can gain 'Prankstige', a type of reputation that can make a player legendary among Gnomes.
Following this are the Gnomish Sub-Races, perfect for a player who is tempted by Gnome characters and yet wants to try something just a little bit different - alternaticvely, Games Masters can use this chapter to populate entire regions of their world with a type of Gnome the players will be wholly unfamiliar with. Here you will find Rock Gnomes, Deep Gnomes, Forest Gnomes, Steam Gnomes, Lake Gnomes and a certain breed that I will not mention here but will be fiercely controversial among those who like to defend their Gnome characters
Gnomish Magic adds some new rules for handling illusions and also covers Gnomish religion, providing some generic deities that can be renamed and placed within any campaign setting, along with the unique domains of Craft and Laughter.
The last chapter, Burrows and Workshops, provides a logical conclusion to the book, giving higher level Gnomes something to work towards when they feel their adventuring days are nearly done and the idea of rulership or tinkering all day every day becomes steadily more appealing. Full details are given on how to construct the Gnome version of a stronghold, complete with their own defences that will be guaranteed to give any wandering monster the shock of its life.
The book is rounded off with a complete Index, Rules Summary and Character Sheet (the latter of which is already available on our web site for download).
