Specie: Gnome Deep
Deep Gnomes are a reclusive offshoot of surface gnomes who dwell deep within the Underworld.
Harsh environments and lurking predators have shaped them into cautious, resilient folk. They live in well-hidden communities carved into stone, focusing on survival, craftsmanship, and secrecy. Unlike their surface kin, Deep Gnomes are less inclined toward magic, relying on stealth and clever tactics to defend their own.
Rarely seen aboveground, they influence the Underworld from the shadows, preferring subtlety over force and practical knowledge over theoretical magical study.
Specie overview
Physiology : Deep Gnomes share the small stature of their surface kin but tend to be leaner, with rough, stone-toned skin that ranges from dusty grey to deep charcoal. Their eyes are large and adapted to the gloom, often gleaming in shades of violet or amber.
Deameanor : Cautious and pragmatic, Deep Gnomes are wary of outsiders and fiercely protective of their own. They aren’t unfriendly by nature, but centuries of surviving in hostile tunnels have made them slow to trust and quick to hide.
Outlook : Unlike surface Gnomes who chase curiosity and wonder, they embrace subtlety, patience, and long-term thinking. They respect knowledge, but especially the kind that keeps them alive or hidden.
History : Separated long ago from their surface cousins, Deep Gnomes descended into the Underworld to escape ancient upheavals. Over generations, they established hidden settlements and developed tactics to remain unnoticed by predators and raiders alike. Unlike other underground species, Deep Gnomes resisted the lure of cruelty or conquest. They rarely leave the Underworld, preferring to send trusted scouts or emissaries when contact with the surface is necessary.
Adventurers : Though rare, some Deep Gnomes leave their hidden communities in search of knowledge, fulfill a mission, or simply by greed. Adventurers from this lineage tend to be spies or scouts.
Typical Name : Deep gnome names tend to have both harsher and melodic tones.Their surnames, which are actually clan names, reflect what their clans are known for, whether it be their occupation, skills, or another element.
(Reference: fantasynamegenerators.com/dnd-deep-gnome-names.php)
Deameanor : Cautious and pragmatic, Deep Gnomes are wary of outsiders and fiercely protective of their own. They aren’t unfriendly by nature, but centuries of surviving in hostile tunnels have made them slow to trust and quick to hide.
Outlook : Unlike surface Gnomes who chase curiosity and wonder, they embrace subtlety, patience, and long-term thinking. They respect knowledge, but especially the kind that keeps them alive or hidden.
History : Separated long ago from their surface cousins, Deep Gnomes descended into the Underworld to escape ancient upheavals. Over generations, they established hidden settlements and developed tactics to remain unnoticed by predators and raiders alike. Unlike other underground species, Deep Gnomes resisted the lure of cruelty or conquest. They rarely leave the Underworld, preferring to send trusted scouts or emissaries when contact with the surface is necessary.
Adventurers : Though rare, some Deep Gnomes leave their hidden communities in search of knowledge, fulfill a mission, or simply by greed. Adventurers from this lineage tend to be spies or scouts.
Typical Name : Deep gnome names tend to have both harsher and melodic tones.Their surnames, which are actually clan names, reflect what their clans are known for, whether it be their occupation, skills, or another element.
(Reference: fantasynamegenerators.com/dnd-deep-gnome-names.php)
Size & Abilities
Size : Small Innate abilities : You start with the following abilities.- Deep Adaptation
Your body has adapted to the Underworld. You can see clearly in pitch blackness and your skin makes you blend with the stone.
- You can see in the dark and do not need to rely on light.
- You are immune to Obscured (Area condition) if caused by darkness.
- When in an area mostly covered in stone, you have Advantage on stealth rolls.
- Natural Tinkerer
You’ve always had a knack for understanding how things fit, click, or blend together. Whatever your chosen craft, even the simplest tools or ingredients become something greater in your hands—be it practical, ingenious, or unexpectedly dangerous.You start with one of the following Crafting Discipline :
- Deep Information Network
Your people may be few and hidden, but their presence is threaded through the world like roots through stone. In carved symbols, coded markings, whispered messages, or shared watch posts, Deep Gnomes pass warnings, knowledge, and secrets across great distances. Wherever you go, you’re rarely out of touch for long.Whenever you enter a Settlement, you attempt Reputation management (Downtime) (instantaneous) to gain a special Reputation (can be combined with regular Reputation). Requires an Aura Check :Success :If you have this Ability special Reputation 'Deep Information Network' :
You’ve already established a special Reputation at this Settlement.- The Reputation is 'Deep Information Network'.
- Once per Settlement visit, if you stay for a few hours, you can obtain the benefit of Research informations (Downtime) without taking a Downtime.
- Your GM may reveal to you information not normally publicly available, by using your deep information network to gather it.
For example : Getting information from spies or contacts inside a blackmarket.
- Practical Magic Specialization
Your arcane focus is shaped by necessity. In the depths, magic must serve survival. You specialize in either Illusion, to conceal and mislead, or Divination, to uncover truths and anticipate threats—whichever best keeps you one step ahead.Choose one of the following Magic School to have an affinity with : You also learn one Spell (Rank 1) of the chosen Magic School. You may learn spells from that Magic School instead of a Class Available Spells.
