Gnome

Gnomes are a Founding Race of people descended from Gnome the Apprentice, and known for their curiosity and ingenuity. Gnomish culture has remained remarkably continuous and unified over its long, nearly-twenty-millenia history. Scholars, including Gnomish ones, attribute this to the strength of Gnomish Ticker culture.

Ticker Culture

Gnomish culture revolves around Tickers, clockwork amulets or charms that symbolize both an individual Gnome's spirit and life force, and all Gnomes' connection to Gnome the Apprentice. As a coming-of-age, a young Gnome will assemble their own Ticker from Ticker parts donated by their family members. Assembling the new Ticker represents a Gnome coming into their own as a new adult, and using parts from their family continues the unbroken Gnomish line going back to Gnome the Apprentice. When Gnomes mate, they exchange Ticker parts to symbolize the binding of their souls together.    Ticker culture Gnomes also generally place great importance on their names, as symbols of who they are and aspire to be. Throughout their life, a Gnome will collect more and more names for themselves that they feel describe their core being - older or especially accomplished Gnomes will often have dozens of names, over 50 in the case of the renowned artificer Jedidiah Copperkettle. Each name will be carved into the Gnome's Ticker as they are collected. 

The Sundering

The Gnomes fought with the Allies during The Sundering. Their ingenuity, fueled by Ebris and guided by Gnome the Apprentice, gave the Allies many tools - Gnomish Fire, telescopes, night vision goggles, fire-resistant equipment, communication trinkets, portable Telethian Cellars, and enchanted tool cloaks.