Gnome

Gnomes are brilliant – that all can – sometimes grudgingly- agree. Even the dumbest among them is typically smarter than the average human. These are the genius inventors, the brilliant minds of Istaria, the pushers of progress, the idea makers. Usually enthusiastic and cheerful, they are able to bounce back from failures and setbacks and misfortune with a spring in their step and a whistle on their lips, however strained. They aren't the most sane of the races that call Aradoth home (In fact, most consider them to be at least halfway crazy), and they are very happy to admit it. The dwarves, they say, have enough sanity for all of them.

They look much like dwarves, except with less muscle and more rotundity. Their large heads give them a childlike appearance, and their eyes – bright with passion and inquisitiveness – can come in a variety of colors. Although naturally long lived, they have high death rates due to their dangerous lifestyle - 'accidents', usually involving machinery, magic, or a laboratory. A Gnome living to a ripe old age is rare, and usually very lucky. Fortunately, they compensate with a decent, human-like birthrate and maturation time.

Gnomes are responsible for a large proportion of the technological invention and general innovation of the empire: From black powder and magical weaponry, to steam engines, to teleport gates, robots, newspapers, printing presses... most anything. To them, technology and magic are just part of the same thing. Gnomes have significant representation in just about any university.

Strongly chaotic in attitude, Gnomes are also responsible for sometimes subversive ideas. Many are highly compassionate, but some are blinded to the consequences of their work, if any, and still others see such consequences – no matter how terrible or mad – to be inconsequential in the grander scheme of things.

Talking with a Gnome is likely to be an enlightening, if ridiculous, experience, from which you are likely to leave with a headache.

Stats:

+3 Intelligence, -2 Wisdom, +1 Dexterity



Small: As a Small creature, a gnome gains a +1 size bonus to Armor Class, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, and a +4 size bonus on Hide checks, but he uses smaller weapons than humans use, and his lifting and carrying limits are three-quarters of those of a Medium character.



Gnome base land speed is 20 feet.



Low-Light Vision: A gnome can see twice as far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of poor illumination. He retains the ability to distinguish color and detail under these conditions.



Sharp Ears: +2 racial bonus on Perception Checks



Technical Know-How: +2 on attack and dodge rolls against Constructs



Racial Skill bonuses: +2 racial bonus on Craft (alchemy), Craft (Tinkering), Disable Device, and Use device checks.



Obsession: +2 racial bonus in a Craft or Profession skill of their choice



<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Starting Languages: Stara, Starako, Imperial

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