Gnome

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 tan or brown faces are usually adorned with broad smiles (beneath their prodigious noses), and their bright eyes shine with excitement. Their fair 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. A male gnome’s beard, in contrast to his wild hair, is kept carefully trimmed but often styled into curious forks or neat points. A rock gnome’s clothing, though usually made in modest earth tones, is elaborately decorated with embroidery, embossing, or gleaming jewels.

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. Forest gnomes can, of course, be found in the forests of this region and immediately to the east in the areas known as the Savage Frontier and the Western Heartlands.

Deep gnomes, also called svirfneblin, are rarely found on the surface of Faerûn.

Gnome 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 learns to use no more than three names: a personal name, a clan name, and a nickname, choosing the one in each category that’s the most 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

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 25 feet.

Darkvision

Accustomed to life underground, gnomes have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. A gnome can see in dim light within 60 feet as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. A gnome can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Gnome Cunning

Gnomes have advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic.

Gnome Subtype Traits

Rock Gnome

A rock gnome has a natural inventiveness beyond that of other gnomes.

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.

Tinker

A rock gnome has proficiency with artisan’s tools (tinker’s tools). Using those tools, a gnome can spend 1 hour and 10 gp worth of materials to construct a Tiny clockwork device (AC 5, 1 hp). The device ceases to function after 24 hours (unless they spend 1 hour repairing it to keep the device functioning), or when they use their action to dismantle it; at that time, they can reclaim the materials used to create it. A gnome can have up to three such devices active at a time.

A rock gnome can create a device with one of the following options:

• Clockwork Toy – This toy is a clockwork animal, monster, or person, such as a frog, mouse, bird, dragon, or soldier. When placed on the ground, the toy moves 5 feet across the ground on each of its owner’s turns in a random direction. It makes noises as appropriate to the creature it represents.
• Fire Starter – The device produces a miniature flame, which can be used to light a candle, torch, or campfire. Using the device requires an action or bonus action.
• Music Box – When opened, this music box plays a single song at a moderate volume. The box stops playing when it reaches the song’s end or when it is closed.

 

Forest Gnome

Forest gnomes have a natural knack for illusion and inherent quickness and stealth. Rare and secretive, they gather in hidden communities in sylvan forests, using illusions and trickery to conceal themselves from threats or to mask their escape should they be detected. Forest gnomes tend to be friendly with other good-spirited woodland folk, and they regard elves and good fey as their most important allies. These gnomes also befriend small forest animals and rely on them for information about threats that might prowl their lands.

Natural Illusionist

Forest gnomes know (gnow?) the minor illusion cantrip. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is their spellcasting ability for it, chosen at character creation.

Speak with Small Beasts

Through sounds and gestures, a forest gnome can communicate simple ideas with Small or smaller beasts. Forest gnomes love animals and often keep squirrels, badgers, rabbits, moles, woodpeckers, and other woodland creatures as beloved pets.