Gnome

Gnomes are small sized humanoids with somewhat squat and shortened proportions similar to Dwarves but with more of an emphasis on round shape language. Variances in body type and shape are very small and often difficult for non-gnomes to distinguish. Rounded ears and more pronounced noses tend to provide quick identification of a Gnome versus another small humanoid.

Skin tone and hair color for Gnomes is dependent on their sub-species with Forest Gnomes having ruddy skin and earth toned hair and Rock Gnomes trending a bit paler and de-saturated overall.

Gnomes participate in live birth, much like other humanoids, with a gestational period similar to Elves at sixteen months. Incapable of cross-breeding (excepting with Elves and Orcs), Gnomish births always result in baby Gnomes, or sometimes with Gnome-Sized Tieflings should Tiefling genetics be present. Overall, Gnome genetics are fairly weak with alternate parentage traits such as hair and eye color often ending up more readily expressed than the Gnomish parent's genes.

When cross-breeds with Elves and Orcs occur, these Half-Elves and Half-Orcs tend to veer closer in height to their non-Gnome parent without typically reaching the taller end of that parent's spectrum.

When Tieflings occur, Gnomish Tieflings retain most of their Gnomish appearance while gaining the signature horns and tail most Tieflings express. Oddities in skin color or sclera are also not uncommon.

Despite being a longer-lived species, Gnomes age fairly quickly (at about the same rate as humans) with an expected settled adulthood at about 40 years of age. Physical aging slows slightly at this time, but continues more steadily than other long-lived races; it is not uncommon for a 100 year old Elf to appear significantly younger than a Gnome of the same age.

Gnomes are fairly versatile, using their inventive nature to make themselves comfortable in whatever environment they may find themselves in at the time. Still, many Gnomes prefer caves and tunnels for habitation. Even in cities, Gnomish dwellings typically have elaborate basements suitable for both work and leisure with the upper house more likely used for entertaining guests.

Gnomes require diets higher in iron than other humanoids. Fortunately, Gnomes appear to be more efficient from extracting the needed iron from plants than other species are. This results in a highly varied diet. It is worth noting, however, that Lactose Intolerance is more common among Gnomes than other Humanoids.

Despite their affinity for low light conditions, Gnomes are actually Diurnal and prefer being active during the daylight hours. It is not uncommon, however, for Gnomish daytime to begin before the sun rises.

Gnomes are naturally curious and inventive; highly capable of inventing a wide variety of technologies to assist them in their day-to-day lives. They are quick to create and use tools to overcome challenges but are prone to distraction when posed with an engineering problem they believe they can solve.

Gnomes are tunnelers by nature and this common exposure to low-light environments has granted them dark vision. Many Gnomes also have sensitive noses, lending to them being valuable members of mixed-race mining parties as they can often sense dangerous gasses before other parties.

Many Gnomes with magical connection are adept at utilizing and recognizing illusion based magic; though most Gnomish magical connection tends to be seen as very physical and practical otherwise.

Gnomish names tend toward the silly and whimsical. There are always plenty of syllables (with many Gnomes needing to take on short-form nicknames among inter-species companions).

Gnomes have developed their own language (Gnomish) which they use along-side the common tongue. Many words in the Common trade language are actually derived from Gnomish, making it easier to learn as a second language than many others. Forest Gnomes also tend to learn Sylvan, though their dialect is distinct from that of Elves.

Because Gnomes have a deep interest in learning and engineering, many of them become polyglots of a wide variety of languages and many more find success among thieves guilds and other secret societies as Kant designers.

It's unclear where Gnomes originated from in Diyon. Most believe whatever homeland they had was wiped out along with the Calamity but the overall impact to the species was minimal due to how widespread Gnomes are. Others believe they may have originated in what is now Luto, due to the extensive technological advancement the Nation has over the others.

Gnomes are generally quite friendly and quick to assume other species will be in turn. For a Gnome, a stranger is simply a friend one has not yet met.

Other species regard Gnomes as equal parts naive and terrifying. Their cheerful behavior can come across as childish or suspicious while their adept capability with tools and machines makes them a formidable threat. In general, most species see no point in pissing off a Gnome, lest they decide one day to vaporize you for your trouble. In fact, Gnomes have far more to fear from non-sapient species such as large birds of prey or other hunting animals than they do from their fellow humanoids.