gnomes

Gnomes are one of the mythical races. They are known to allmost every single child in he civilized world for their trickery and treachery.

Most commonly gnomes are a folk of small people, no taller than three feet with short legs and arms and big feet. But these details vary from sory to story. They are often sneak thieves that come at night and steal everything from milkbottles to jewellery and small children. Sometimes they can also be met by unwary travellers or treasure hunters. The heroes of the story then have to solve a riddle to be rewarded by some kind of trinket the gnomes got posession over in some dubious way. Or they are the guardians of a stolen treasure they will only grant acces to after the solving of the riddle.
Gnomes met on the open road will usually try to rob anyone they meet and leave them behind penniless. In more cruel and grownup stories they may also try themselves at murder.

In this way, gnomes are one of the less respectable creatures of stories.