Gnome, Forest
Forest Gnome Upbringing
A Forest 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 Tieflings, for example—consult with the DM.
- Animal Friend – A Forest Gnome always has Speak with Animals prepared and can cast it without a spell slot a number of times equal to their Proficiency Bonus. They regain all expended uses upon completing a Long Rest, and can also cast the spell using any spell slots they have available.
- Forester’s Lore – A Forest Gnome has Proficiency in their choice of Animal Handling, Nature, or Survival.
- Forester’s Lure – A Forest Gnome knows the Minor Illusion cantrip; Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is their spellcasting ability for this spell, chosen at character creation. The cantrip can be cast a number of times equal to their Proficiency Bonus without expending a cantrip slot, and they regain all expended uses upon completing a Short Rest.
A Forest 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, Forest Gnomes often elaborately decorate their clothing with embroidery, embossing, or gleaming jewels.
Forest 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.
Forest Gnomes have skin, hair, and eye colors in roughly the same ranges as Humans, Halflings, and Dwarves, but many like to dye their skin and hair unusual colors or supplement their features with magical illusions.
Rock Gnomes are seldom found outside their native Lantan or the most cosmopolitan cities of Faerûn. 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.
Forest 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 Forest Gnome has Darkvision to 60 feet.
Gnomish Cunning
Gnomes have Advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic.
Natural Affinity
The Forest Gnomes of Toril are regarded as almost fey-like for their secretive nature and reclusive lifestyle. Like Wood Elves, they’re one of the few people truly at home in the deep wilds, making their homes in cozy burrows alongside their favorite small animal friends.
Clever Hands – Regardless of upbringing, Forest Gnomes are drawn to working with their hands, and have Proficiency with one artisan toolkit of their choice.
Natural Tenacity – If a Forest Gnome rolls a 1 on any d20 Test involving a Beast or a Plant, they can reroll the die and must use the new roll.
Suspicious Minds – Forest Gnomes have Advantage on saves against being Charmed.