Gnome

An example of a typical gnome

**Gnomes** are a small, clever race often regarded as the best intellectual rival for the Kahvlarashar. While they lack the natural arcane magic Kahvlarashar possess, gnomes have instead found an alternative use for their intellect, technology.

The gnomes built their nation of Sulicia atop an ancient underground structure known as the Vault of Senekier, believed to be a remnant of some long forgotten nation predating modern Verail. The gnomes are fiercely protective of the vault, and only their smartest engineers are ever allowed inside. They are assumed, however, to have used the vault as a basis for their technological research, though none of their research into the vault has ever been published to verify this.

Gnomes were the first creators of golems, and generally consider their invention to have been stolen by the Kahvlarashar. In general, they have held a long rivalry with the Kahvlarashar, a rivalry that was initially mostly friendly, but became far more hostile after they joined the high elves in the Arcane War.

The gnomes are often considered to be eccentric by other races. While the Kahvlarashar use a logical approach to their research, the gnomes believe certain conditions can improve one's ability to think, varying with the individual. Gnomes may expect a specific food, lighting condition, or sound to work properly, or may do their work during odd times of the day.

## Biology

Gnomes are roughly the size of halflings, and much smaller than other races. Their ears are pointed like elves, but usually longer and thinner. Their eyebrows often extend past their heads, and their hair and eyes have extremely varied coloring, with nearly any color being possible, although more exotic colors are rather rare. Their skin is usually a light brown or yellow.

Gnomes' bodies are unusually dense compared to other races. Their skin is far more difficult to pierce, and their bones are unlikely to break.

## Racial Traits

- **Ability Score Modifiers (0 RP):**Gnomes are durable and intelligent, by lack physical strength due to their size.. They gain +2 Constitution, +2 Intelligence, and –2 Strength.

- **Size (0 RP):**Gnomes are Small creatures and gain a +1 size bonus to their AC, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, a –1 penalty to their CMB and CMD, and a +4 size bonus on Stealth checks.

- **Type (0 RP):** Gnomes are humanoids with the Gnome subtype.

- **Base Speed (-1 RP): Slow:** Gnomes have a base speed of 20 feet.

**- Languages (0 RP):**Gnomes begin play speaking Gnomish and Dwarven.

**- Illusion Resistance (1 RP):**Gnomes gain a +2 racial saving throw bonus against illusion spells and effects.

- **Master Tinker (2 RP):** Gnomes experiment with all manner of mechanical devices. Gnomes gain a +1 bonus on Disable Device and Knowledge (engineering) checks. They are treated as proficient with any weapon they have personally crafted.

- **Utilitarian Magic (2 RP)**: Gnomes develop practical magic to assist them with their obsessive projects. These gnomes add 1 to the DC of any saving throws against transmutation spells they cast. If their Intelligence score is 11 or higher, they also gain the following spell-like abilities 1/day—mage hand, open/close, prestidigitation, and unseen servant. The DC for these spells is equal to 10 + the spell’s level + the gnome’s Intelligence modifier.

- **Obsessive (2 RP)**: Gnomes receive a +2 racial bonus on a Craft or Profession skill of their choice.

- **Improvisation (2 RP):** Gnomes are experts at finding ways to use objects that others would never see. They gain Catch Off-Guard as a bonus feat.

- **Weapon Familiarity (1 RP):** Gnomes treat any weapon with the word “gnome” in its name as a martial weapons

- **Low-Light Vision (1 RP):** Gnomes can see twice as far as humans in conditions of dim light.