Gnomes

Gnomes are small humanoids with pointy ears and lion-like tails. They are the most common race in Viridia, making up 28% of the total population. Gnomes can live up to 250 years. Gnomes split into two subraces: forest gnomes and mountain gnomes.

## Mountain gnomes

### Anatomy

Mountain gnomes are more burly than forest gnomes. The average height for all mountain gnomes is 135cm- females and males don't have a notable size difference. Their skin tones vary from darker to lighter grays. They have tusks and a second row of teeth deeper inside their mouths. Female mountain gnomes can also naturally grow a beard.

Mountain gnomes have naturally extremely durable teeth, and they are able to eat stone and melt it in their systems. This allows them to refine metals within their digestive systems, however it is quite slow and requires energy. How this works, is that the mountain gnome can change their inner body temperature. Their skin is like a thermostat that keeps the heat inside. By varying the heat, they can extract metals from each other, for instance, and then throw the minerals back up. The metabolism of a mountain gnome is extremely fast.

### Strengths and weaknesses

Needless to say mountain gnomes are able to handle extremely hot temperatures. They see well in the dark and can actually have a difficult time seeing perfectly in daylight.

Because of their fast metabolism, mountain gnomes are hungry very often, and can suffer from insomnia.

### Habits

Most of mountain gnomes live in the Peaks. They are excellent miners. Mountain gnomes are able to make small tunnels into stone by eating it. Special miner's pants with a buttoned flap allows a mountain gnome to excrete the stone they eat while they dig further into the stone. The molten stone will then close the tunnel behind them. [Very much inspired by Artemis Fowl dwarves]

## Forest Gnomes

### Anatomy

The average height for all forest gnomes is 125cm- females and males don't have a notable size difference. Forest gnomes are even tinier than mountain gnomes, their builds usually a lot more slim. The fuzz on their tails is thicker, and some forest gnomes even have patches of fur on their neck, back or other areas of their skin.

### Strengths and weaknesses

Forest gnomes are nimble and close with nature. They are able to communicate simple ideas with small forest creatures.

### Habits

Most forest gnome communities are located in the forest of Suolu, and it is not uncommon for members of such communities to develop viridis thanks to their connection to nature. In these communities, sometimes referred to as gnome colonies, protecting the forests is an important goal.

### Dexterous Hands

Choose one tool proficiency. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make using the chosen proficiency.

#### Forest Gnome

##### Speak with Small Beasts

* you can communicate simple ideas with small animals.
* you have proficiency in the Animal Handling skill and advantage on all Animal Handling checks.
* you know how to imitate different calls of most critters and birds.

##### One with the Forest

* you have advantage on Stealth, Perception and Survival checks in forest terrain.
* you have proficiency in the Nature skill.
* you cannot be Surprised in forest terrain.
* *Forest Stride:* while in forest terrain, you can increase your speed by 10ft. for 10 minutes. You regain this ability after each short rest.

#### Mountain gnome

##### Guts of Steel

* you can eat stone with your powerful jaws and teeth, and excrete it with impressive speed.
* the path behind you gets blocked with hot, liquid rock.
* 5ft. burrow speed
* you can also extract valuable minerals, such as metals, from regular rock by modifying the temperature of your insides.

##### One with the Peaks

* you have advantage on Stealth, Perception and Survival checks in mountain terrain.
* you cannot be Surprised in mountain terrain.
* *Mountain Stride:* while in mountain terrain, you can increase your speed by 10ft. for 10 minutes. You regain this ability after each short rest.

##### Skin of Iron

Advantage on Saving Throws against heat and fire.

##### Sunlight sensitivity

You have Disadvantage on Attack Rolls and Ability Checks that rely on sight under direct sunlight.

## Known characters

### Forest gnomes

* Müalice Sehri
* Kera Rabbitsfoot
* Ellywick Turen
* Faeryn Weavencreek
* John

### Mountain gnomes

* Kytö Steeprun
* Regal Steeprun
* Kallon Steeprun