Forest Gnome

*"We slipped into the forest, figuring we could grab some treasure, some lumber and be out in no time. The things I saw that day will never leave my mind."- Brokk, half-orc bandit, after falling victim to forest gnome magic.*

*"Curious little fellow. Red hat, white beard. Great whistler, the animals liked him."- Intevar Torquinal, wood elf chronicler, discussing his adventures in the Southbour Blackwoods.*

*"We love the trees, we love the forests, we love the Feywild. No disrespect to the tinkers but they've gone too far away from Elfland."- Smiling Hound, forest gnome druid, explaining his philosophy to a tinker gnome.*

## Physical Description

While forest gnomes do not physically appear much different than their tinker gnome cousins, those fortunate enough to meet one can immediately tell the differences due to both style of dress and mannerism. Forest gnomes eschew the bright colors and appearance-altering magic of their fellows. They dress simply in earthen tones and greens, the only notable exception to this rule are the bright red conical hats favored by some. Many ignore shoes, preferring to feel their feet touch the grass and earth of the Apian forests. Forest gnomes let their hair and beards grow wild and free, with both sexes favoring long, unbraided hair. Eyebrows of exceptional bushiness are also noted as a common physical feature. One notable exception to the forest gnome's more typical hair color is the prevalence of white hair, even among the young. The reason for this is unclear. In terms of stature, forest gnomes are incredibly small, even by gnomish standards, averaging at 2-2.5 feet tall. Skin tones are wide ranging among forest gnomes, from ghostly pale to dark brown.

## History:

Gnomes share a connection to the natural world that runs deeper than many other races. The ancestors of the forest gnomes felt this even more intensly. The wild places called out to them, inviting them to delve deep into their mysteries and never return. Perhaps it was their fey blood that called to them or perhaps it was their innate curiosity that prompted the exodus. Regardless of reasoning, after the fall of the great beholder empire, a small portion of the gnome race disappeared into the great Apian forests and effectively vanished from history. It was said that not even their tinker kin could find them. What secrets they held during the long exile are lost to all but the forest gnomes themselves. In time, many forgot the existence of the strange gnomes, even tinker and sea gnomes regarded them as little more than fairy-tales. Then, in more recent times, the wood elves of the Southbour Blackwoods began speaking of strange allies, as did travelers to the northern Haunt Woods. Even smaller, more local forests seemed to have small guardians that kept them safe from loggers or poachers. Bands of orcish raiders or bandits would enter some nearby forests and simply vanish, leading all to wonder what foulness had befallen them. In time, the assistance of the forest gnome became a fact that was impossible to ignore, though their actual settlement locations remains a carefully guarded secret. A few forest gnomes have left their homes to interact slowly with druid circles and small isolated villages, or in the case of one family, building a business empire. Perhaps these strange little men and women have some greater role to play than any possible know.

## Geography:

Any forest, no matter how large or small can house a forest gnome village, but, unless the gnomes wish it, they will never be found. The only forest that is known to contain a gnome population is the Southbour Blackwoods but locating it with that massive forest would be borderline impossible even without the confusing magic of forest gnome druids.

## Personality:

Forest gnomes do have that same curiosity about the world that tinker gnomes do but this is tempered with a gentle soul and deep love of natural things. Forest gnomes are a patient, soft-spoken and reserved people. They enjoy walking among their trees, speaking with their various animal friends and listening to the sounds of rain or birds. They love cultivating the nature around them, helping shape flowers, trees and animals in their own small ways. Strict vegetarians, forest gnomes shun what many would consider necessary comforts. A trusty walking stick, clothing, and a little food and water is all they need to be happy. A forest gnome will always listen first, observing travelers and gauging their intent before interaction. They speak rarely but, when they do their words often carry great wisdom and careful consideration. Once comfortable around people, forest gnomes are generous, compassionate souls who seek to help others find the balance in their lives and with nature. These gnomes can be roused to violence and explosive anger very unlike their typical peaceful ways if they believe someone shows blatant disregard for the earth. This leads the gnome to attack with the weapons at his disposal if victory seems possible or to lure the "evil-doer" into a deadly trap or animal den. Forest gnomes traveling in a company of adventurers often have to learn to control these impulses otherwise they may bring great harm on their own party by attacking a nobleman for littering in a violent rage.

## Society:

Little is known of forest gnome society. They live in small villages where animals wander freely and plants are allowed to bloom as they will. These villages are hidden from all outsiders by powerful illusion magic and even those wood elves who trade with the forest gnomes cannot find them without gnomish guides. The houses are built into living trees, practically becoming one with them, emulating the same practices of the ancient wood elves. Forest gnome homes contain the entire immediate family and, unlike tinkers, a pair of married forest gnomes take their vows seriously and will not dabble or remarry if one dies. Parents and other relatives live within these domiciles and caring for one's aging parents is considered an important and worthy part of forest gnome life. Each village is ruled by a chief druid who interprets the wishes and needs of the forest the community calls home. Beneath him are the other druids, then the rangers, beneath them are the others, who fulfill the other roles needed for the village to survive. Druidic arts are incredibly important to forest gnomes as they allow them to most protect the forest that they love. Rangers are also well respected for, even though these gnomes are peaceful by intent, "the moose still has antlers." Forest gnomes see themselves as guardians of their chosen forest, a symbiotic relationship that is the ultimate goal of their entire existence. Because every forest gnome puts the forest's well-being above his or her own, they actually have no problems taking orders from the druids and forest gnome societies tend to be very structured and well run. Commerce holds little interest to them but they do understand the concept of bartering and will do so with friendly humanoids for those things they cannot manufacture or grow. Given their magical and herbalist talents those things are few and far between.

## Religion:

While Gnarl Glittergold is revered by the forest gnomes, they hold a very different interpretation of him. To them, he is "Gnarl Greencloak" a shepherd of the forest and keeper of the trees. He carries a walking stick, his skin is bark and hair autumn leaves. He is the one who taught the forest gnomes who to guard their chosen homes, who gave them the ability to speak with animals and shape the plants around them. He is accompanied by Bromis and The Green Lord who, according to the forest gnomes, are his sister and brother and gnomes themselves. Together they protect the great forests of the heavens above, encouraging the gnomes below to do the same.

## Alignment:

Forest gnomes are neutral good. They have a deep love for the forest and for protecting it from harm. They have structures more organized than their tinker gnome cousins and thus lack the true chaos of those inventors. Some do sink into pure neutrality, refusing to allow anything but the forest to shape their ideals.

## Relations:

Being extreme recluses, forest gnomes have few relations at all. They do trade regularly with wood elves and centaurs, considering them friends. Beyond this, they might be willing to meet with good aligned humans, gnolls or other wild folk like lucantusks or porcine. They abhor undead of all kinds, as well as those who spoil the forests, regardless of race.

## Language:

Forest gnomes speak gnome and common. Most also speak sylvan.

## Names:

Forest gnome names are unisex and tend to reflect the natural order. Unlike other gnomes, forest gnomes tend to have only one, two part name, typically given them by the druid who helped deliver them.

**Example forest gnome names:** Laughing Dog, Hiding Gopher, Proud Oak, Bubbling River, Joyful Bullfrog, Noble Owlbear, Sly Horse, Gentle Elk

## Adventurers:

Forest gnome adventurers are quite rare as few ever leave their forests for any reason. Those that do, tend to serve one of two purposes, either seeking out some wound in nature that needs a healing touch or trying to teach outsiders to respect the natural world. Any group of adventurers that shows proper respect for wild places and the forest gnome way of thinking, can find a powerful alley indeed. Some adventurers planning to travel Apia's more wild places will seek out forest gnomes in hopes of convincing one to join them, typically with little success.

## Traits:

As described below

+2 Constitution, –2 Strength.

Humanoid (Gnome)

Small: As a Small creature, a forest gnome gains a +1 size bonus to Armor Class, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, and a +4 size bonus on Hide checks, but he uses smaller weapons than humans use, and his lifting and carrying limits are three-quarters of those of a Medium character.

Forest gnome base land speed is 20 feet.

Low-Light Vision: A forest gnome can see twice as far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of poor illumination. He retains the ability to distinguish color and detail under these conditions.

Pass without Trace: A forest gnome has the innate ability to use pass without trace (self only, as a free action) as the spell cast by a druid of the forest gnome’s class levels.

+2 racial bonus on saving throws against illusions.

Add +1 to the Difficulty Class for all saving throws against illusion spells cast by forest gnomes. This adjustment stacks with those from similar effects.

Weapon's Proficiency: Shortbow: Forest gnomes are automatically proficient with the shortbow

+2 racial bonus on attack rolls against any undead creature

+2 racial bonus on Listen checks. +2 racial bonus on Craft (alchemy) checks. +4 racial bonus on Hide checks, which improves to +8 in a wooded area.

Automatic Languages: Gnome, Elven, Sylvan, Common, and a simple language that enables them to communicate on a very basic level with forest animals. (This replaces the gnomes speak with animals ability)

Bonus Languages: Draconic, Dwarven, Giant, Goblin, Orc.

Spell-Like Abilities: A forest gnome with a Charisma score of at least 10 has the following spell-like abilities: 1/day—dancing lights, ghost sound, prestidigitation, Tree Shape, Warp Wood, and Wood Shape. Caster level 1st; save DC 10 + forest gnome’s Cha modifier + spell level.

Favored Class: Druid