The Gnomes
A constant hum of busy activity permeates any gnomish community. Louder sounds punctuate the hum: the clangs of a tinkerer's hammer, the performance of a lute player, the chiselling of a wood carver, yelps of surprise or triumph, and laughter. Gnomes are dedicated creatures, pouring all their creativity and effort into their chosen muse.
When a young gnome is growing up, they try to experience everything they can in the world around them, searching for the one thing that will forever become their obsession. Once they find it, their muse, they hone this skill throughout their long life, taking great joy in it. Gnomes are prone to specialisation and eccentricity, often devoting themselves to a highly specific craft or profession over the course of their long life. Once a gnome has found their interest, they tend to keep at it for a long time, though without losing their enthusiasm. Many gnomes are skilled tinkerers, inventors, musicians, warriors, thieves, or craftsmen. 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.
Gnomes are small creatures, standing around 3 feet tall, weighing 40 to 45 pounds. They are most easily recognised by their pointy ears and long pointy noses. In fact, most of their features, from the hair to their face, are pointed, sharp, and angular.
Culture
Gnomes naturally make their homes in hilly, wooded lands. They live underground but get more fresh air than dwarves do, enjoying the natural, living world on the surface wherever they can. Their homes are well hidden by both clever construction and simple illusions. Welcome visitors are quickly ushered into the bright, warm burrows. Those who are not welcome are unlikely to find the burrows in the first place.
Gnomes who settle in human lands commonly set up a business or service of their own, taking full advantage of their muse. Some human families retained gnome tutors, ensuring that their pupils enjoy a mix of serious learning and delighted enjoyment. A gnome might tutor several generations of a single human family over the course of his or her long life.
Many gnomes are driven to a life of adventure by their muse. A gnome obsessed with swordplay, thievery, or a similar vocation quickly finds space for themself in an adventuring party. They may also be driven by their lack of a muse. Many young gnomes take to wandering in search for their muse, and those that struggle finding one, even more so.
Common Names
Gnomes love names, and most have half a dozen or so. A gnome's mother, father, clan elder, aunts, and uncles each give the gnome a name, and various nicknames from just about everyone else might or might not stick over time. Gnome names are typically variants on the names of ancestors or distant relatives, though some are truly new inventions. When dealing with humans and others who are "Stuffy" about names, a gnome learns to use no more than three names; A personal name, a clan name, and a nickname, choosing the one in each category that's the most fun to say.
Male Names: Alston, Alvyn, Boddynock, Brocc, Ettrgell, Dimble, Eldon, Erky, Fonkin, Frug, Gerbo, Gimble, Glim, Jebeddo, Kellen, Namfoodle. Orryn, Roondar, Seebo, Warryn, Wrenn, Zook
Female Names: Bimpnottin, Breena, Caramip, Carlin, Donella, Duvamil, Ella, Ellyjobell, Ellywick, Lilli, Loopmottin, Lorilla, Mardnab, Nissa, Nyx, Oda, Orla, Roywyn, Shamil, Tana, Waywocket, Zanna
Family 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
Life-Span
Longevity: 400 years
Childhood: 0-20
Adolescence: 20-80
Maturity: 80-300
Old Age: 300-400
Physical Characteristics
Stature: 3-4ft
Skin colour: human ranges.
Hair colour: human ranges.
Pointed ears, pointed faces, and a long nose.
Common Faiths
Many worship gods of invention or crafts.
