Gnomes

Gnomes are widely regarded as the ingenious architects of innovation, their minds brimming with curiosity and the drive to uncover the secrets of the world. With a natural aptitude for crafting intricate devices, they have mastered the art of precision, engineering, and invention. Whether designing complex machinery, creating magical devices, or unraveling the hidden workings of the universe, Gnomes bring unparalleled skill to everything they do. Their ability to think outside the box, often surprising even the most seasoned engineers and scholars, has earned them a reputation for ingenuity that stretches far beyond their small stature.

While their diminutive size and delicate build might lead some to underestimate them, Gnomes are far from weak or helpless. Their strength lies not in their physical prowess but in their sharp intellect and quick reflexes. A Gnome’s mind is an ever-shifting landscape of creative ideas, easily adapting to the challenges that confront them. When faced with adversity, they rarely resort to brute force. Instead, they rely on their cleverness, using logic, invention, and cunning to turn the tide in their favour. They possess an uncanny ability to see patterns where others see chaos, making them excellent problem solvers in even the most dangerous situations.

However, their small size does come with its drawbacks. Gnomes are more fragile than their larger counterparts, and they often find themselves at a disadvantage when physical strength is required. As a result, they tend to avoid direct confrontation, preferring to use their talents to outwit or outmanoeuvre opponents. In battle, Gnomes are often the first to suggest unconventional tactics, relying on speed and intellect rather than sheer power to secure victory. This ability to think on their feet makes them invaluable allies, as they can quickly find the best course of action even in the heat of the moment.

At their core, Gnomes represent the idea that size does not determine significance. Their strength lies in the brilliance of their minds and the creativity of their spirits. Throughout history, their inventions and discoveries have shaped the world, proving that even the smallest among us can leave an indelible mark through cleverness, resilience, and sheer brilliance. Whether designing mechanical marvels, discovering ancient secrets, or solving the mysteries of magic, Gnomes continue to show that intellect and ingenuity can overcome even the greatest of challenges.

When you select Gnome as your ancestry, increase your Intellect score by three, your Dexterity score by two and your Agility score by one.

Size: Gnomes are very small people, standing around 80cm in height and weighing usually no more than 20 kilograms. They are Scale -2 creatures. This impacts them in a number of ways:

• Gnomes suffer a -2 penalty to Athletics skill checks, reflecting their relative lack of strength in physically demanding tasks.
• Any damage dealt by an Gnome, whether from a weapon or unarmed combat, is reduced by two points per die of damage rolled.
• Their compact build grants them superior agility. Gnomes gain a +2 bonus to Reflex defence and a +4 bonus to Stealth
• Gnomish armour requires very little material due to their size but must be crafted with exceptional care and precision to fit their small bodies. As a result, Gnomes pay only one-third the normal cost for armour.

Walking Speed: 4 meters. Their small size impacts their stride length, but the Gnome's restless energy helps compensate for this.

Stamina: Gnomes begin play with 10 Stamina, plus an amount equal to their Agility bonus. For a Gnome, dodging an attack is second nature.

Recovery Dice: Gnomes begin play with two six-sided (2d6) Recovery dice.

Fey Ancestry: Gnomes have ties to the Fairy folk, and there are those that believe that they are the product of Humans and Fairies interbreeding. Attempts to cast spells on a Gnome suffer slight if the spell has the Mental property. Gnomes roll with favour to disbelieve spells with the Glamer property.

Skill Training: Choose three of the following skills: Acrobatics, Crafting, Deception, Diplomacy, Insight, Investigation, Nature, Perception, Sleight of Hand, Stealth. If you have the trait, Wild Magic, you may also choose Primal Spellcasting. Place one training rank in each of the chosen skills.

Gnomes can always select the following traits as Apprentice-tier traits.

• Fae Magic
• Hyperactive
• Lucky
• Obsession
• Sure Footed