Gnome

"My full name? Oh, do pull up a chair, dear, this will take a moment. I am Boddynock Gimble Turen Nifty-Fingers Burnt-Scone Cog-Spinner The-Cat-Chaser... but since we just met and you haven't given me a name yet, you may call me Boddy."

— Boddy, Master Forager of the Mossy Bank

Origins: The Curious Sparks

• The Scattered Sparks: Legend says that when the Feywild rubbed against the Material Plane, the sparks of curiosity that flew off settled into the earth and popped up as Gnomes.
• The Great Forage: They have no great "Empire" history. Their history is local. It is the history of who found the best mushroom patch in 452, or who invented the automatic berry-picker. They live in the "now" and the "what if."
• Habitat: They build their homes into the landscape. A Gnomish village is invisible until you trip over a chimney.

Cultural Values: The Collection of Names

• The Living Identity: A Gnome is born with one name. By the time they die, they should have fifty. Every time a Gnome bonds with someone, that person gives them a nickname. These are legally and spiritually binding.
  

 
• The Tinkerer's Itch: Gnomes cannot leave things alone. They don't tinker for industry (like Dwarves they tinker for whimsy and convenience. They build clockwork squirrels to scare away real squirrels, or boots with springs to reach high shelves.

 
• Foraging & Sustainability: They are the ultimate gatherers. They don't farm in straight lines; they steward wild patches. A Gnome knows exactly which rotten log hides the best grubs and which wind brings the rain.