Gnome

Dwarves live deep underground, but Gnomes live even deeper. Gnomes were made to shape mountains and riverways. Now, they have awoken to a new world ready to use their talents to help in any way they can.

Dwarves live deep underground, but Gnomes live even deeper. Gnomes were made to shape mountains and riverways. Now, they have awoken to a new world ready to use their talents to help in any way they can.

From earth and stone, the genies fashioned the gnomes, infusing them with life to serve as builders and shapers, to become the makers of things. Gnomes raised the mountains and carved the paths the rivers would take. They planted the forests and pushed the earth to form hills and valleys. They took the raw, untamed world the genies spun out from chaos and gave it shape, purpose, and beauty.

Generations spent underground have transformed gnomes into their present state. No taller than 3 feet, they have short, compact bodies. They have overlarge eyes that help them see in the darkness of the deep places and large noses to help them sniff out trouble.

Gnomes find the light of the sun painful, so they wear thick goggles over their eyes. They cover their chalky skin in heavy clothing that includes tall, pointed caps, long coats that drag the ground, and heavy boots to anchor them to the earth—many gnomes believe that if they doff their clothing, they’ll float away into the endless blue.

Common Names: Amber, Basalt, Beryl, Chert, Coal, Flint, Lime, Onyx, Opal, Pog, Rose, Ruby, Shale, and Wackes.

Creating A Gnome

Level 4 Expert Gnome

Age

3d6Starting Age
3-5You are an adolescent, from 10 to 15 years old. Reduce your starting height and weight by 25%.
6-8You are a young adult, from 16 to 20 years old.
9-12You are an adult, from 21 to 50 years old
13-15You are a middle-aged adult, from 51 to 100 years old.
16-17You are an older adult, from 101 to 200 years old.
18You are a venerable adult, aged 201 years or older.

Background

d20Background
1A run-in with a troll nearly killed you. Small flecks of stone mar your flesh.
2You once visited the Great Cleft and heard the One Who Slumbers shift in his sleep.
3A spell whisked you from your homeland, and you were forced to serve a cruel master for many years.
4You were exiled from your homeland after committing a terrible crime.
5You had a spouse and children, but they all died during the Great Collapse.
6You fought the dwarfs who mined too close to your community. You killed many and do not trust them.
7You made frequent trips to the surface. Your knowledge of the World Above helped you escort many of your kind to safety.
8During the Great Collapse, you were buried alive. It took several days, but you managed to wriggle free.
9Your family lived as slaves to the salamanders. You were the first to have escaped.
10You earned a living working in your profession.
11You left home when you were young to seek your fortune in the world above.
12Your people shunned you for some reason, and you knew only loneliness. The Great Collapse gave you a new chance to find your place.
13You lived among the priests of your people, learning their ways and rites.
14Troglodytes captured you and made you their slave. You escaped after killing your owner.
15You fought against troglodytes and other dwellers of the deeps to protect your people.
16You discovered an incantation and managed to perform it. Unfortunately, someone close to you died as a result. You’ve kept this secret your whole life.
17You were a leader in your community, and you helped many escape the ruins of your homeland.
18You once crept into a dragon’s lair and made off with a single gold crown.
19You ventured into the depths of the earth and stumbled into the Underworld. You were so appalled by what you saw, you fled for the surface and never returned.
20You came into money. Start the game with 2d6 cp.

Build

3d6Build
3You are quite small. You stand about 12 inches tall and weigh about 10 pounds. Reduce your Size to 1/4.
4-5You are 18 inches tall. Reduce your Size to 1/4.
6-8You are skinny for a gnome, weighing no more than 25 pounds.
9-12Your height and weight fall within the average ranges. You are between 2 and 3 feet tall and weigh from 20 to 40 pounds.
13-15You are heavy, bulky, overweight, or muscled. You weigh between 40 and 60 pounds.
16-17You are tall for a gnome, standing between 3 and 4 feet in height.
18You are enormous for a gnome. You stand over 4 feet tall and weigh 80 pounds or more.

Appearance

3d6Appearance
3Your features appear melted, runny, as if you were made from mud. You are hideous.
4-5You have thick, plain features, skin pebbled and rife with fissures.
6-8Your eyes are a bit too large, your features a little too big, making you unappealing to other gnomes.
9-12You are typical for a gnome with the usual exaggerated features and bulging eyes common to people of your kind.
13-15You have just one exaggerated facial feature— eyes, nose, ears, or mouth.
16-17You have fine features and a fit body. You stand out from other gnomes.
18You are a great beauty among gnomes and attractive by other people’s standards. You have a well-formed body and appealing features.