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- Big of nose, quick to laugh, cheerful, visionary, and industrious
in their approach to life, the Rock Gnomes form the picture of
the gnomish race as it is viewed by most of the larger folk who
know them.
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Rock Gnome
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- Rock Gnomes are the most common subrace of gnomes in Fälgorna
and indeed, when one speaks of a gnome chances are he or she means
a Rock Gnome. While not a populous race in comparison to humans,
they are encountered in a wide variety of environments, showing
no particular preference for any one type of climate. They do,
however, tend to make their homes in areas with an abundance of
natural rock (even if it's invisible under a layer of loam and
forest).
- All gnomes have a fondness for gemstones of all kinds but no other
gnomish race, however, is as adept at cutting and shaping these
precious baubles as are the Rock Gnomes. The gem symbol of this
subrace is, appropriately, the diamond. Diamonds are used as symbols
of status and accomplishment, and wealthy and highly regarded
clans will often have dishes, candelabras, and other elegant possessions
encrusted with these hard and precious stones.
- The most distinctive physical characteristic of the Rock Gnome
is an enormous nose — a proboscis that is larger than that of
any dwarf or human, despite the gnome's diminutive size. Indeed,
the size of one's nose is a matter of some status among Rock Gnomes,
and more than one good-natured debate has resulted in actual comparisons
being made. The true test of a mighty nose is the ability to poke
it into your opponent's eye without having his nose do more than
tickle the fringe of your beard (the use of the male pronoun is
not generic here; females pride themselves on big noses too, but
in addition to lacking beards they are less prone to such boisterous
comparisons).
- Rock Gnomes average about 3'6" in height. Unlike the burly dwarves,
who tend to weigh as much or more than the average human, Rock
Gnomes are lightly built. Their small frame is deceptive, however,
for despite their size these gnomes are as strong as most humans.
- The eye color of a Rock Gnome subrace is predominantly blue, though
shades of green and rarely, yellow or brown are not unknown. Such
unusual eye colors are apparent from birth and are considered
to signify either very good fortune or very dire omens, depending
on the traditions of that particular gnomish community. Their
infravision extends to 60'.
- The brownish color of the Rock Gnomes' skin can be encountered
in many shades, ranging from a light tan to nearly black. Rock
Gnomes do not avoid the sun and suffer no effects from exposure.
They also don't sunburn or tan, so the shade of a gnome's skin
has nothing to do with the proportion of his or her life spent
outdoors or underground. In mature adults, the hair and beard
are almost universally white or pale gray, but in youngsters and
adolescents one will find as wide a variety of hair color as among
humankind. Only the males are bearded, with facial hair growing
in near the beginning of the gnome's second century of life. Unlike
dwarves, how ever, gnome males keep their beards neatly brushed
and trimmed, with a maximum length of only about six inches. Sometimes
the beard will be trimmed into fashionable shapes such as a goatee,
or brushed into a long, curling point (or pair of points, in a
real statement of high fashion).
- While the average life span of a Rock Gnome is in the area of
four centuries, it is not uncommon to find an elder patriarch
or matriarch who has been around for more than 600 years. The
oldest of them have been known to approach the venerable age of
750 years.
- The first half-century of a gnome's life is generally spent in
a carefree childhood. Youngsters are indulged and benignly guided
by their elders, with rarely a harsh word or punishment employed
against them. The children learn by example and strive to please
the adults around them. Sages attribute the fact that all gnomes
respond better to praise and encouragement than threats to this
upbringing.
- By the time he or she has reached 50 years of age, a gnome is
expected to begin applying himself or herself to the development
of a useful skill and to learn the basics of self-defense and
weaponcraft. However, during this half-century-long adolescence,
gnomes are still not subjected to an array of responsibilities--instead,
they are encouraged to experiment with a variety of trades and
activities until they find those best suited to their own talents
and personality.
- The occasion of his or her 100th birthday is of great significance
to a Rock Gnome, for it indicates that he or she has reached adulthood.
It is customary for his or her family to host a large party, with
a gathering of the clans within traveling distance to celebrate
the coming of age. Since the party itself is likely to run for
a month or more, it is not uncommon for gnomes to travel hundreds
of miles for such a get together.
- Each clan will bring a practical gift for the newly anointed adult,
and it is cause for great pride if a clan's present is judged
to be the finest among the array of gifts. The practical nature
of these tokens is inviolate--boots, a shield, a sturdy tunic,
even a weapon or tool are all appropriate. Gem-encrusted baubles,
works of art, or simple decorations, although highly valued by
gnomes, will not be given as coming-of-age gifts.
- The industrious nature of gnomes is well documented, and probably
represents their closest similarity to dwarves. Like dwarves,
gnomes will organize for a task, with each individual lending
his or her talents where they will be most useful. When digging
a tunnel, for example, the strongest gnomes will work with picks
to break up the rock in their path, while others--more nimble,
if not so powerful--scamper among the flailing picks, scooping
up the debris with shovels and pails. A third group of gnomes,
those who are very hardy and capable of great endurance, will
carry the crushed rock (often in wheelbarrows, but sometimes in
leather sacks slung over the shoulder) out of the tunnel to the
dumping grounds.
- In their pursuit of mining, gnomes are not so speedy to excavate
as dwarves, but they are more careful with what they find. Indeed,
many a vein of ore that has been played out by dwarven standards
has been taken over by gnomes and continued to yield its riches
to the more meticulous gnomish miners. Even while they work, however,
these gnomes will pursue their tasks with high good humor, bawdy
stories, and a succession of jokes of all types. Only rarely,
however, will this frivolity interfere with the effectiveness
of the group's work.
- Nowhere is Rock Gnome precision more evident than in their stonecutting
and gemwork. Their skill at cutting, polishing, and mounting gemstones
is unsurpassed by any other race. They are also skilled enough
metalworkers to make elaborate frames and mounts for jewelry.
Indeed, gnomish metalsmiths work better with soft metals such
as silver and gold than they do with iron and steel--another significant
difference between them and their larger cousins, the dwarves.
Gold chain belts, silver necklaces, and shining buttons are all
proudly displayed by the well accoutred gnome.
- This is not to say that gnomes cannot become fine blacksmiths
when they are so inclined. Indeed, every community will have at
least one well-muscled resident who is in charge of toolmaking
and of crafting other objects such as dishes and weapons out of
iron and steel. Gnomes generally purchase steel from dwarves or
humans, however, rather than smelting it themselves. The finest
weapons in a gnomish community are generally of outside (dwarven
or elfin) manufacture, often purchased in trade with the gem and
jewelry work that they do so well.
- Rock Gnomes also can become skilled carpenters and (perhaps not
surprisingly, given their dextrous and artistic nature) exceptional
wood-carvers. Though most gnomes do not devote a lot of attention
to fabrics, those that do are skilled tailors and embroiderers
as well.
- In the area of culinary skills gnomes are not so elaborate. In
fact, their standards when compared to halflings are downright
plain. Their ideal meal is boiled or roasted meat, spiced, accompanied
by potatoes and mushrooms. Rock Gnomes rarely keep cattle, so
they have little milk, butter, or cheese. Their bread is unleavened
and relatively unpalatable to others with more refined tastes.
- In the area of brewing, Rock Gnomes believe themselves to be every
bit the match of halflings and humans and insist that they make
a much tastier beverage than the heavy mead favored by dwarves;
some gnomes even champion their wares above the famed elfin wines.
Impartial judges pronounce gnomish brews a distinctive but acquired
taste. Gnomish brewers make a variety of ales and are ingenious
at finding ways to chill these beverages even in the height of
summer. They will employ underground storage caverns, often sealed
in ice which is brought down during colder months. In fact, many
gnome communities will have wooden piping systems installed from
these subterranean coolers so that the amber fluid can be pumped
to spigots on the surface. Any gnomish innkeeper worth his or
her salt (high praise indeed for a gnome) will have such an arrangement
in the cellar, and as a general rule, the better the chill on
the beverage, the higher the perceived quality of the establishment.
- Rock Gnomes typically make abysmal farmers, but they can be capable
hunters and are excellent at gathering the bounty of their native
woodlands, including nuts, fruits, grubs, mushrooms, and wild
greens. A community will typically tend a small field of grain,
which is used in about equal proportions to make bread and ale.
- In one area Rock Gnomes most closely resemble elves among all
the other demihumans--in the category of music and dancing. Unlike
dwarves, gnomes are very musical, and have designed and perfected
a wide variety of instruments including flutes and horns, stringed
instruments such as lutes and mandolins, and a great assortment
of percussion. The latter range from concave rocks, rattles, cymbals,
and gongs to standard drums made of hide stretched over a base
of wood or metal.
- The most talented gnomish musicians are famed for their skill
and highly sought as entertainers, and nearly every adult can
play some sort of instrument; family gatherings often climax in
a cacophony of music making and merriment. Unfortunately (for
non-gnome listeners, at any rate) their vocal skills in no way
come close to their instrument playing abilities, and since they
insist on singing along to most every kind of music, the resulting
melodies are not necessarily pleasant to the non-gnomish ear.
- A Rock Gnome's idea of an ideal setting for a home is an area
of wooded hills with an underlying bedrock of limestone that can
be transformed into a complicated network of lairs, tunnels, and
stairways. Rock Gnomes are not so comfortable in the deep and
dank recesses of the Everdark as, say, dwarves or their own gnomish
cousins, the Svirfneblin. Therefore, their settlements will almost
always be found near the surface, where the steep faces of hillside
or cliff can provide a number of entrances and air holes to a
many-layered dwelling. Often these entrances must be reached along
narrow and precarious trails--easily traveled by gnome-sized creatures
but perilous to larger would be intruders--taking one far above
steep slopes of lagged rocks, or along the edge of a deep gorge,
with a rolling torrent of icy water plunging below.
- Rock Gnomes are very social creatures, and generally live in thriving,
active communities. Such communities are organized into up to
a dozen clans, and all permanent residents are member of one or
another of these families. Smaller outposts may consist of a single
tight knit family, with a patriarch, matriarch, or pair of elders
providing benign leadership over three or four dozen gnomes. The
typical upper limit of any one community is 400-500 gnomes, mainly
due to limitations in the surrounding food supply--not due to
any desire for isolation from their neighbors.
- Whatever the size of a Rock Gnome settlement, the chain of status
will always culminate in one unquestioned leader. To this chief
(who is usually, but not always, male) come all crucial decisions
on matters of defense and trade, as well as the arbitration of
the rare instances of discord within the community. When this
chief makes a ruling or command, he or she is obeyed immediately
with a discipline that can instantly transform a pastoral community
into a determined work force or warlike army at need.
- Most communities of Rock Gnomes will be found within a few days'
or weeks' travel of each other, with grand gatherings of the clans--often
including 4,000 to 5,000 gnomes--held every decade or so. These
festivals can last for a fortnight or more and generally climax
in frenzied musical performances, nose measuring contests, tournaments
to determine who is best at drinking, snoring, and other things,
and feasting.
- The individual burrows of the Rock Gnomes are small and tidy.
Generally a married couple will have a small chamber to themselves,
with all children (cousins as well as siblings) sharing a common
room. Adolescents are segregated by sex, with a large burrow having
two separate chambers for its young males and females respectively.
Most of these private chambers will be connected via tunnels to
a central family chamber, where the fire is kept, food is prepared
and eaten, and the family members meet for the talk and socialization
that occupies virtually all their nonworking waking hours. The
common room will always have a chimney vented to the outside (often
through a very long passage). Ideally, it will have some other
access to fresh air and light as well--chambers with no window
are considered oppressive and tomb-like by many Rock Gnomes.
- The family quarters will also connect (usually via an underground
passage) to the other families that make up the clan; and similarly
each clan in the community will be connected to the others. Where
junctures occur, there are large chambers. In the bigger towns
these areas contain inns and shops, as well as open commons where
impromptu parties (as well as many scheduled festivals) can take
place.
- Gnomes travel frequently among their communities and many of them
will venture into human or demihuman cities out of curiosity.
They mix well with halflings and find life in a halfling village
quite pleasant. Unlike halflings, they have no particular compulsion
that holds them to their own homes or locales and their long life
spans afford them the time to indulge their curiosity about how
other races live.
- While Rock Gnomes can survive and even flourish in a community
of humans, dwarves, elves, or halflings, few would care to leave
their fellow gnomes permanently. It's far more common for a gnome
to live among other races for a few decades, perhaps even a century
or more, before returning home to his or her own clan. Perhaps
a quarter of all Rock Gnomes spend at least part of their second
century "seeing the world" before returning to take up his or
her role in clan affairs.
- Rock Gnomes will sometimes welcome members of other races into
their communities. However, humans and especially elves tend to
find gnome cities claustrophobic, while the furniture and passageways
between rooms are usually too cramped for the average dwarf. Halflings
sometimes exchange extended visits to their gnome neighbors but
it's a rare halfling who leaves his or her own burrow behind forever.
- Rock Gnomes begin play with the ability to speak Rock Gnome and
Common Gnome as native tongues and with the standard ability to
speak the Trade Tongue. They may spend skill points at first level
to learn the following languages: Dwarf, Halfling, Kobold, Goblin,
and burrowing mammals.
- Rock Gnomes may use their racial skill points to purchase the
following racial detection skills: detect sloping passages, detect
approximate depth underground, detect direction underground, and
detect unsafe walls, ceilings and floors.
- Rock Gnomes receive a +1 bonus to hit when fighting kobolds or
goblins, their racial enemies.
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