Gnomes

Gnomes are a race of small and stout humanoids with a strong connection to the fey.
== Personality ==
Gnomes have far more volatile emotions than most Ib. They are prone to sudden bouts of joy and despair triggered by what others would see as trivial things, though, despite this, they usually manage to maintain an upbeat attitude. Gnomes are also well known for their friendliness and their desire for intimacy. Among themselves and other small races, they tend to show little respect for personal space, but around those larger than themselves they keep space for their own safety. Curiosity is at the heart of most Gnomes and when they become inspired to study and create, there is little that can stand in their way.
A unique quirk of Gnomes connected to their emotional extremes is that their body temperature is highly influenced by how they feel. This phenomenon can be observed in many Ib, though to a much lesser extent. Gnomes who are happy or angry will be warmer and ones who are sad or afraid will become cold. A Gnome with a bad temper may be at risk of fainting from fever if they become too mad and those with depression often suffer from frostbite or even hypothermia if things become too bad. This aspect of Gnomes can be a serious health risk when they are already suffering from an illness that affects their temperature and as such caretakers must exercise special caution when dealing with sick gnomes. A laughing fit has the potential to be a death sentence for a Gnome suffering from a severe fever. In such cases, laughter is certainly not the best medicine.
Gnomes love to experience new things and are quick to adapt to new situations. They often make significant changes in their lives just for the sake of change and are always on the lookout for strange new ideas to experiment with. Their penchant for change often causes them difficulty in forming long term relationships with others, especially those of other races.
Similar to Low Elves, the Gnomish desire to belong in groups is stronger than that of the average Ib. Isolation will quickly drive them to despair and madness. Gnomes are very social beings, always wanting to a part of whatever is going on and always longing for a sense of connectedness. Other races may sometimes find them to be nosy and clingy though other times they may find them to be sweet and endearing.