Gnome

Physical Form

Gnomes are a short and lightweight arboreal species hailing from the Kiebe Forest, adapted for life in the trees.  They have long, mobile ears with a rounded tip, useful for listening in various directions as well as emoting. They have a strong grip for climbing both with their hands and with their feet, which have thumbs. They have very strong legs, allowing them to leap between branches with ease. Gnomes possess a prehensile tail which is used both for balance and as an extra anchor when climbing. They are quite slender and lightweight in build, allowing them to traverse the thinner branches at the top of the forest canopy. Gnome sexual dimorphism roughly resembles that of humans, with males being somewhat larger and sturdier with more body hair, and females being more slender with softer features.

Gnome skin comes in a variety of tan and brown hues, tending to match the bark of the trees where their ancestors originated. Gnome hair is generally brown, sometimes with a reddish hue, and their eyes are typically brown as well, with a very rare blue or green among them.

Gnomes are between 3'7" and 4'1" in height on average, and typically weigh 35-45 lbs. Males are typically somewhat taller and heavier than females.

Lifespan and Reproduction

A healthy gnome can live up to the age of 400. They are considered preteens at 14, teens at 27, adults at 40, middle aged at 200, and elderly at 300. 

Gnome pregnancies last about 15 months, and generally yield a single child. They have the opportunity to conceive roughly once every 3 years. Gnome children are born with a well developed gripping instinct, the better to cling to their parents as they move through the trees. 

Diet

Gnomes are omnivorous, though they lean vegetarian. Most of their nutrients come from various fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, and roots, but they are capable of eating meat and often enjoy it as a treat or a source of additional protein. Expectant mothers in particular crave the added nutrients of meat. Gnomes may eat foods from a wide variety of habitats, but sudden shifts in diet may cause them to feel ill.

Notable Attributes and Abilities

Gnomes have a peculiar resistance to magic, likely a defense mechanism developed over the many years living in their forest of origin, the Kiebe Forest, which has a strong connection to the Feywild. This allows them a greater capacity for escaping from arcane predators.

Gnomes have very strong leg muscles, which they use to jump between different branches while climbing. They may also use it to make a swift escape to the treetops from the forest floor, and many gnomes will jump as a response to being startled.

Gnomes are extremely good climbers, as they have excellent grip. They possess thumbs on their feet, allowing them to grip branches as a hand would, and both hands and feet have pads that enhance their grip and protect them from rough bark. Gnomes may also lock the tendons in their wrists and ankles, allowing them to sleep in trees without fear of falling.

Gnomes also have a prehensile tail to aid in climbing, which is sturdy enough to hang off branches with. This tail is not dexterous enough to achieve the fine manipulation capabilities of a proper hand, but it is capable of gripping and lifting objects. The tail is also useful for maintaining balance in precarious positions such that an arboreal being might often be found in.

Gnomes are additionally capable of accurately mimicking sounds that they have heard. This skill is typically used to for simple communication with animals or for conveying agreed-upon signals to other gnomes surreptitiously, though some individuals find it useful for pranks and tricks.

Culture

x

Races

Inagani (IN-uh-GAHN-ee): Inagani gnomes originate from the Thunderwood at the far eastern end of Altandor. They are the smallest type of gnome, averaging just over 2 feet in height, an adaptation that allows them to easily make their homes in tree hollows and climb to the highest branches to escape flood. Their hair is straight rather than curly as most gnome hair is, and is typically dark brown or black in color.

Lolliph (LOLL-if): Lolliph gnomes originate from western Kiebe, and are adapted for life in a standard forest. The structure of their feet is closer to that of other races, allowing them to spend more time walking on the ground without the issues that other races of gnome might have. They are also stockier than other gnomes. Their hair tends to be lighter brown or blond in color.

Nytani (nih-TAN-ee): Nytani gnomes hail from the Santhia Cliffs, where their tree climbing adaptations serve them well among the wet stone and steep drops. Their hand pads are made for holding grip even in wet conditions, and their teeth are sharper to support a mostly pescatarian diet. Their skin is usually fairly dark, and their tails have a slightly rudder-like shape to give them a bit of an edge when swimming.

Odaré (oh-DAR-ay): hailing from eastern Kiebe, Odaré gnomes are the native inhabitants of the gargantuan starscraper trees, having lived among their hollow trunks and lofty boughs for time beyond reckoning. Their hair is usually red or various shades of brown. Their longer and slightly hooked claws provide extra insurance when scaling the heights of the starscrapers, as a fall is almost guaranteed to be fatal.

Panamorn (PAN-uh-morn): Panamorn gnomes are from the deepest depths and the narrow offshoot tunnels of the Moriviir Caverns, the darkest and most remote sections of which served as their refuge during the Age of Ashes and beyond. Extended time in the dark has affected their physique - they have pale, almost white skin and large pale eyes to better see in the darkness. Their anatomy is somewhat elongated to better reach high ledges, giving them an appearance some might find eerie.

Tanser (TAN-ser): Tanser gnomes are native to the Virie Basin forest, where life in the trees is somewhat different than in Kiebe. In Kiebe, arboreal life allows them to avoid danger, but in Virie, much of the danger is also arboreal, so Tanser gnomes now have an exceedingly bushy tail tuft, which comes away easily if a predator gets hold of it, allowing the gnome to escape. Their hair and skin are somewhat dark, to better blend with their surroundings.