Gnome, Rock
Rock Gnome Upbringing
A Rock Gnome not raised by or among their people may have different traits than those described below. If you wish to have a different upbringing for your character—a Gnome raised by Wood Elves, for example—consult with the DM.
- Artificer’s Lore – Whenever a Rock Gnome makes an Intelligence (History) check related to magic items, alchemical objects, or technological devices, they can add twice their Proficiency Bonus, instead of any Proficiency Bonus which would normally apply.
- Tinkerer – A Rock Gnome knows the Mending and Prestidigitation cantrips; Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is their spellcasting ability for these spells, chosen at character creation. Each cantrip can be cast a number of times equal to their Proficiency Bonus without using a cantrip slot, and they regain all expended uses upon completing a Short Rest or a Long Rest.
In addition, a Rock Gnome can spend 10 minutes casting Prestidigitation as a Ritual to create a Tiny clockwork device (AC 5, 1 HP), such as a toy, fire starter, or music box. When the device is created, the caster determine its function by choosing one effect from Prestidigitation; the device produces that effect whenever it or another creature takes a Bonus Action to activate it with a touch. If the chosen effect has options within it, the caster chooses one of those options for the device when creating it. For example, if the caster chooses the spell’s ignite-extinguish effect, the device can either ignite or extinguish fires, but not both. Each Gnome can have three such devices in existence at a time, and each falls apart 8 hours after its creation or when dismantled with a Utilize action.
A Rock Gnome raised among their own kin will speak, read, and write Common and Gnomish. The Gnomish language, which uses the Dethek script, is renowned for its technical treatises and its catalogs of knowledge about the natural world.
Gnomish Names
Gnomes love names and most have half a dozen or so. A Gnome’s mother, father, clan elder, aunts, and uncles each give the Gnome a name, and various nicknames from just about everyone else might or might not stick over time. Gnome names are typically variants on the names of ancestors or distant relatives, though some are purely new inventions. When dealing with Humans and others who Gnomes consider “stuffy” about names, a Gnome usually learns to use no more than three names: a personal name, a clan name, and a nickname, choosing the ones from each category which are the most exciting or fun to say.
Male Names: Alston, Alvyn, Boddynock, Brocc, Burgell, Dimble, Eldon, Erky, Fonkin, Frug, Gerbo, Gimble, Glim, Jebeddo, Kellen, Namfoodle, Orryn, Roondar, Seebo, Sindri, Warryn, Wrenn, Zook
Female Names: Bimpnottin, Breena, Caramip, Carlin, Donella, Duvamil, Ella, Ellyjobell, Ellywick, Lilli, Loopmottin, Lorilla, Mardnab, Nissa, Nyx, Oda, Orla, Roywyn, Shamil, Tana, Waywocket, Zanna
Clan Names: Beren, Daergel, Folkor, Garrick, Nackle, Murnig, Ningel, Raulnor, Scheppen, Timbers, Turen
Nicknames: Aleslosh, Ashhearth, Badger, Cloak, Doublelock, Filchbatter, Fnipper, Ku, Nim, Oneshoe, Pock, Sparklegem, Stumbleduck
A Gnome’s energy and enthusiasm for living shines through every inch of his or her tiny body. Gnomes average slightly over 3 feet tall and weigh 40 to 45 pounds. Their round faces are usually adorned with broad smiles (beneath their prodigious noses), and their bright eyes shine with excitement. Their wispy hair has a tendency to stick out in every direction, as if expressing the Gnome’s insatiable interest in everything around.
A Gnome’s personality is writ large in his or her appearance. Gnomish women often enjoy elaborate hairstyles. Unless he prefers to be clean-shaven—as often a choice made for reasons of safety as fashion—a male Gnome’s beard, in contrast to his wild hair, is kept carefully trimmed but often styled into curious forks or neat points. Though usually made with materials in modest earth tones, Rock Gnomes often elaborately decorate their clothing with embroidery, embossing, or gleaming jewels.
Rock Gnomes of the Sword Coast
Gnomes are fairly uncommon in Faerûn, and those that are seen in the cities of the Sword Coast are almost always Rock Gnomes. The largest populations of Rock Gnomes are generally found in the cities of Waterdeep, Silverymoon, Mirabar, and Baldur’s Gate, but outside of the Sword Coast, the largest concentration of Rock Gnomes in the known parts of Toril live on the island nation of Lantan off the southern coast of Faerûn. Lantan was displaced from Toril to Abeir during the nearly century-long Spellplague, and it returned to its native world even more isolated than it had ever been, but also rumored to be full of mechanical marvels beyond anything ever before seen on Toril.
Rock Gnomes have skin, hair, and eye colors in roughly the same ranges as Humans, Halflings, and Dwarves, but many like to dye their hair unusual colors or supplement their features with magical illusions.
Forest Gnomes can, of course, be found in the forests of this region and immediately to the east and south in the areas known as the Savage Frontier and the Western Heartlands. Deep Gnomes, also called Svirfnebli—the singular form is Svirfneblin—are rarely found on the surface of Faerûn, but have a sizable population in the city of Silverymoon.
Rock Gnome Traits
All Gnomes, regardless of subtype, have certain characteristics in common.
Age
Gnomes mature at the same rate Humans do, and most are expected to settle down into an adult life by around age 40. They can live 350 to almost 500 years.
Size
Gnomes are between 3 and 4 feet tall and average about 40 pounds. Their size is Small.
Speed
A Gnome’s base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision
A Rock Gnome has Darkvision to 60 feet.
Gnomish Cunning
Gnomes have Advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic.
Inventive Affinity
Though they have their own pantheon of Gnomish gods, the Rock Gnomes of Toril have been considered a favored people by the god of invention, Gond the Wonderbringer, ever since his avatar was received warmly by the people of Lantan during the Time of Troubles, and he has likewise become the most popular non-Gnomish god for Rock Gnomes to worship.
Analytical Minds – Rock Gnomes can add their Proficiency Bonus on saves against Illusion spells and their effects; if they are already Proficient in the relevant ability, then their Proficiency Bonus is doubled.
Clever Hands – Regardless of upbringing, Rock Gnomes are drawn to working with their hands, and have Proficiency with one artisan toolkit of their choice.
Reckless Tenacity – If a Rock Gnome rolls a 1 on any d20 Test involving smokepowder or a mechanical device—including the Misfire Die for a smokepowder firearm—they can reroll the die and must use the new roll.