Gnomes

The birth of the Gnomish people was an accident. In the early ages, when the world was still young, positive energies of the deities of light united with the negative forces of Tar’madân, Lord of Madness and Father of Chaos, in a dark cave within the Weatherfront.

From this ominous union the first Gnomes were born. Hidden deep in the dark Weatherfront north-east of Mitmaar, they built a vast city concealed from curious eyes, where many still live today. Gnomes are considered distant relatives of Hobbits and Kender.

Gnomes are more restless and impatient than many small folk. They are short and slight, with wrinkled yellow-brown skin, long pointed ears, and thin, stringy hair. A strange urge to research and discover draws many of them out into the world.

Nothing is safe from their curiosity. They examine old books, mix potions from collected ingredients, try to decipher recipes, and invent tools and mechanical devices. For a people said to have arisen by accident, they are remarkably intelligent and thirsty for knowledge.

Since the beginning of their existence, they have studied the forces of magic and refined their use of them.

Like Hobbits, Gnomes are extremely dexterous and quick. These qualities make some of them ingenious pickpockets. They also show great craftsmanship when working on small objects, reproducing items, and using fine tools.

Because many Gnomes spend much of their lives in caves, they possess extensive knowledge of artefacts, gemstones, and precious metals and can often judge their value well.

Although they are neither especially strong nor especially enduring, many are drawn into the world of adventure. Canonically, Gnomes can become Druids, Shadow Runners, Mages, Necromancers, or Witch Beasts.

Which deity they may choose follows from the relevant canonical species-class combination.