Gnome
| Gnome | |
|---|---|
| |
| (Creature) | |
| Type | Humanoid (gnome) |
| CR | By class level |
| Environment | Any |
| Alignment | |
| Source: Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook, pg(s). 23 | |
| New information exists on this topic which has not yet been included in this article. |
| Refer to the discussion page for details. |
Contents |
Appearance
A gnome is a short humanoid, one of the most bizarre and alien of the civilized races of Golarion. They tend to be around three and a half feet tall and unnervingly slender. Gnomes age as other mortals do (albeit more slowly than most, but not as slowly as elves),[1] but they also begin to fade and 'bleach' when they lose passion and fail to experience new things.[citation needed]
They have long spindly fingers and large heads, which have a subtly different shape than those of other humanoids. Compared to their bodies they have surprising toughness, as their bones are of a harder but lighter cast than those of humans. Their coloration, like their aging, is altered by experience. Their skin, hair, and eyes can run the gamut of colors that appear in nature, betraying their fey nature like no other characteristic. Many, though not all, have skin tones that match those of other humanoids who live in the region, often with tints of olive or gold. Their hair is often vibrantly colored; expressing their recent history and experiences in reds, greens and more, as often, if not more so than browns and blonds. They have very long expressive eyebrows above large eyes. Their child-like eyes can often cause other humanoids to be more trusting and protective of gnomes, though many find these traits along with the too-wide mouths and smiles of gnomish race to be alien and frightening.[2]
Sexual dimorphism is minimal in gnomes. Males tend to be slightly larger and not as slender. Females tend to be slightly smaller and more feminine, possessing longer eyelashes, slimmer waists, and many of the other differences also exhibited by humans.[2]
History
The history of the gnome race does not begin on the world of Golarion but in the First World, the realm of the fey. The gnomes were once a race of ancient, immortal and mischievous fey themselves. They were happy with life in the First World as it was a world of endless wonder were they had all eternity to indulge their endless curiosity and whimsy. [2]
Migration
During the Age of Anguish many gnomes left the First World and migrated to Golarion, although some gnomes remained behind, and continue to live an immortal existence. The reason for this migration is not clear. One plausible theory is that the ever-curious gnomes were intrigued by the cycle of death which occurred on the Material Plane. They travelled here in the hope of gaining souls and taking part in the cycle. This was denied to them, as only beings born on the Material Plane can gain souls. However, those who stayed and procreated found that their children had souls, and thus were able to pass on to the afterlife if they died.[3]
Other sources claim that the reason for their exodus was much darker, that a cataclysm similar to the fall of the Starstone that heralded the Age of Darkness forced them to flee the First World. [2]
Those gnomes who settled in the Darklands, rather than on the surface, are known as Svirfneblin (or deep gnomes). They claim to have been forced out of the First World by a calamity, for which they hold the dark fey of the Court of Ether at least partly responsible.[4]
On Golarion
The time after they first arrived in Golarion was a perilous time for the gnome race. This was when they first suffered from the Bleaching which claimed many of their numbers. They also lost their ability to manipulate shadow, and with their main form of defense gone, many gnomes fell victim to predators. In this period gnomes were nearly rendered extinct. They eventually began to adapt to life on Golarion, forming enclaves that helped to protect them from the hostile world. Since then gnomes have become an accepted part of life on Golarion.[2]
Gnome Inhabitants
Main article: Category:Gnome/Inhabitants
References
- ↑ Colin McComb et al. (2010). Gnomes of Golarion, p. 7. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-223-4
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 10-11. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
- ↑ James L. Sutter. (2010). The First World. Sound of a Thousand Screams, p. 68. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-253-1
- ↑ James Jacobs & Greg A. Vaughan. (2008). Into the Darklands, p. 35. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-140-4
