Brief History

Gnomes share a strange relationship with the Aether of Ezrahn. Stories tell that an ancient explosion of Aether energy transformed a civilization of humans far to the South into the Gnomes known today. This heritage can be seen in their innate magic powers, their oft-capricious natures, and their outlooks on life and the world.

Gnomes can seem quite eccentric or even nonsensical to other races due to their often wild coloring of hair and skin as well as the seeming randomness of their actions.  Risk taking and wild flights of fancy have given them a bit of a reputation. However, Gnomes can be equally motivated by the same wants and desires as any other race.

Given the varied and wild colorations common amongst gnomish folk, they often see non-gnomes as a vast, singular “other” race due to their similarities. Their strangeness makes most other races view them as alien.

Physical Description

Gnomes generally stand just over 3 feet in height, making them one of the smaller races of Ezrahn. Their diminutive stature makes others view them as weak or lesser. Their small frames are deceptively resilient. Though they suffer limitations to their ability to move quickly, but they have adapted to fight more effectively against larger foes and use their size to their advantage.

Gnome coloration is so diverse that outsiders have often thought they use dyes and illusions to change their appearance. While they certainly could affect these types of changes, the truth is that their natural range covers most of the colors of the rainbow: with hair  being vibrant colors of fiery reds and oranges, shades of green befitting a forest, as well as all the colors of wildflowers. Their skin tones similarly vary wildly from earthy colors to pastel blues or pinks and most shades in between. Sometimes these colorations run in families but not always. Their facial features can also often vary wildly in proportion in comparison to other races. Bulbous noses, or broad expanses of forehead pair equally with large or small ears or mouths. This often confuses and confounds other races, who tend to focus on a particular feature for the purpose of ridicule or sentiment.

Society

Gnomes have mostly stuck to their peninsula home in the southern reaches of Ezrahn where they have built several eclectic settlements. Their varied cities and towns generally are run by Guilds of Tradespeople that would also include a trio of the most powerful spellcasters amongst the population.

Gnomes revere intelligence and crafting nearly as much as Dwarves enjoy metalcraft and gems or Elves love music and the arts. This has caused the elevation of ‘prodigies’ amongst their race to be elevated to positions of power over those with more age or conventional wisdom.

Relations

Relations between Gnomes and other races can be strained due to their eccentric nature. Their oddity in the eyes of other races can create conflict and difficulty in finding common ground. This doesn’t happen between two gnomes, who generally feel they can find some sort of mutually beneficial   arrangement despite any differences in ideological beliefs or traditions.

Gnomes are fond of pranks and nicknames, often to the point of infuriating other races. Their tendency to try to convince others of outrageous lies as a joke also strain their crediblilty with other races. Gnomes find such humor hysterically funny, though others find their pranks malicious or senseless. Gnomes, in turn, find the taller races to resemble dull and lumbering giants. Some halflings and humans can handle a gnome’s sense of humor. The generally attitude of gnomes towards dwarves and half-orcs/orcs is that they need to lighten up, but their attempts to bring levity with tricks, jokes, and outrageous tales to these more dour races cannot make heads or tails of. Gnomes respect elves, but often find the slower pace of the long-lived race frustrating. Gnomes prefer action to inaction, often carrying several projects with them at all times for rest periods.

Alignment and Religion

Though eccentric and often seen as whirlwinds of chaos, gnomes are generally of a good-hearted nature. What others deem malicious is often an attempt to expand those people’s perspective or experiences. While gnomes are capable of great bouts of emotion, they can be equally at home within a city or in nature. Depending on their chosen profession in life, gnomes often pay service to Kalatapsi and Woldram. Given their humor, they also appreciate the Immortal of Viharn.

Adventurers

Gnomes are often prone to bouts of wanderlust or seek out adventuring simply to expand their knowledge and perspective, bringing it home to gain status amongst their peers. Some never decide to return home, ever seeking more and bigger experiences.

Their high intelligence and Aether affinity allow them to compensate for their smaller size by magical or mechanical means, or even with bardic music.

Your gnome character has certain characteristics in common with all other gnomes.

Ability Score Increase: Choose 1 ability score to increase by 1.

Age: Maturing at a similar rate to humans, most gnomes who do not succumb to an extreme bout of wanderlust tend to settle down in their late 50s-60s and live to a ripe old age between 400 and 500 years.

Alignment: Though eccentric, most gnomes tend to be good-hearted

Size: Gnomes are between 3 feet tall and average about 40-50 pounds. Your size is Small.

Speed: Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Skills: Choose one skill from the following list to have Proficiency in: Sleight of Hand, Arcana, History, Investigation, Deception, Performance, or Persuasion.

Gnome Cunning: You have advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic.

Aether Affinity: You have an innate ability to work with the Aether around you, granting you a Wizard or Bard Cantrip of your choice at 1st level. You gain a single first level spell at 2nd level. You may cast the 1st level spell once per day without using a spell slot, or with any other appropriate spell slot you have. At 3rd level, you gain a single second level spell in the same manner.

Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and Gnomish. The Gnomish language is characteristic of precise lettering and often renowned in its clarity in treaties or books of instruction (especially spellbooks).