Gnomekin
The Gnomekin are a diminutive folk, averaging just over three feet in height. They possess nut-brown complexions, muscular bodies, and wide-eyed, childlike features. A distinctive crest of soft black fur runs from their forehead to the small of their back.
Underground Colonies
Gnomekin live in close-knit communities within subterranean caverns.
- Dwellings: Single-family homes, known as nooks, are sparely furnished and lined with soft, sweet-smelling moss.
- Environment: Fresh water is provided by underground streams. Caverns are illuminated by phosphorescent fungi, providing enough light for Gnomekin night vision.
- Diet: They subsist on mushrooms, tubers, and lichen. Favorite beverages include root syrup for the young and mushroom ale for adults.
Temperament and Society
Gnomekin are warm, friendly, and possess a childlike innocence.
- Family: They have very large, close-knit families, often with a dozen or more offspring.
- Nature: They are modest and unassuming, which is reflected in their speech and social interactions.
Gnomekin Characters
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | 2’10”–3’6”, 60–100 lbs. Nut-brown skin, green eyes, black fur crest. |
| Base Attributes | CHA +2, DEX +3, CON +6 |
| Hit Points | 16 |
| Combat/Magic | Select either CR +2 or MR +2 |
- Skills: Language (Durnese - native), Language (Low Talislan - fluent), Cultures (Gnomekin) +5, Cultures (Seven Kingdoms) +3, Fashion (Seven Kingdoms) +1, Survival (subterranean) +2.
- Quirks: Natural Climber, Night Vision, Sunblind.
- Starting Equipment: Durnean cusps, clothes of spun moss, leather boots, flask of mushroom ale, 20 gold lumens in pentacles or crystals. [^1]
Relations
- Allies: They maintain excellent relations with the other member states of the Seven Kingdoms.
- Enemies: They are wary of the Ur, Satada, and other hostile subterranean races. [^2]
Religion and Language
- Faith: They have a deep reverence for the earth goddess Terra, conducting simple prayer services in sacred caverns.
- Burial: The deceased are interred deep in the earth to be "close to the Goddess."
- Language: Gnomekin speech sounds like purring. They rarely refer to themselves in the first person due to their modest nature.
- Names: Common names have a lilting sound (e.g., Abo Ebo, Eno Erobia).
Adventurers and Exploration
The Gnomekin are the foremost experts on the Underground Highway, a vast network of subterranean tunnels.
- Mapping: Since 607 N.A., they have mapped tunnels extending from the Seven Kingdoms to the Volcanic Hills and the borders of Narandu.
- Roles: Gnomekin are highly sought after as subterranean guides, guards, and diplomats. Many also practice the secret art of Crystalomancy.
[^1]: Gnomekin characters replace any armor received from Paths with scale armor. [^2]: Due to their isolationist history, they have few contacts with nations outside the Seven Kingdoms.