Gnomes are one of the most fascinating races in the world of Dungeons & Dragons. Known for their sharp minds, creativity, and relentless drive to discover new things, they are a staple of many adventuring parties. In this article, we take a look at the origins, characteristics, and special features of gnomes in D&D.
This article contains affiliate links where we receive a part of the purchase price. So if you want to support us, feel free to use these links 🛒 to buy books, dice or similar. Thank you 🙂
Origin and Culture
Gnomes are small creatures, usually standing between 90 centimeters and 1.20 meters tall. Their slight build, however, belies their sharp minds and boundless energy. Gnomes are often seen having a close connection with nature, especially concerning the mysteries of the earth and the underground. Their curiosity drives them to develop new technologies or delve into deep magical secrets.
In their culture, family and community are central. Gnomes often live in small, close-knit communities protected by deep caves or dense forests. These hideouts are frequently equipped with complex traps and illusions to keep out uninvited guests.
Subraces of the Gnomes
There are various subraces of gnomes, among which the most well-known is the Rock Gnome. These gnomes are recognized for their ingenuity and resilience and possess some specific abilities:
- Artificer’s Lore: Rock gnomes have a deep understanding of magical items and alchemical objects. They can apply their proficiency bonus twice on appropriate intelligence checks related to them.
- Tinker: Rock gnomes are master tinkerers. They can create small mechanical devices that serve a variety of practical purposes, such as a tiny lighter or a music box.
Characteristics
Gnomes possess a variety of unique traits that make them an attractive choice for player characters, all of which are also detailed in the Player’s Handbook đź›’:
- Attribute Increase: Gnomes are known for their intelligence. Thus, the intelligence score of a gnome character increases by 2, making them excellent wizards or inventors.
- Age: Gnomes mature at a pace similar to humans, but they only reach adulthood around the age of 40. Their lifespan can be an impressive 350 to 500 years, providing them ample time to deepen their interests.
- Alignment: Gnomes tend to be good, whether they are lawful or chaotic. Lawful gnomes are often brilliant engineers or scholars, whereas chaotic gnomes express their creativity as bards, rogues, or inventors.
- Size: With an average height between 90 centimeters and 1.20 meters, gnomes are smaller than most other races in D&D, enhancing their agility and dexterity in combat.
- Darkvision: Due to their long history often spent in underground dwellings, gnomes have the ability to see well in darkness and dim light. They can see within a radius of 60 feet as in bright light, though only in shades of gray.
- Gnome Cunning: Gnomes are resilient against mental attacks and have advantage on intelligence, wisdom, and charisma saving throws.
- Languages: Gnomes speak Common and Gnomish, a language known for its technical precision and intricate catalogs of knowledge.
Gnomes in the Game
If you choose to play a gnome character, you have the opportunity to create a creative and often unconventional character. Gnomes are perfectly suited for roles that require intelligence and ingenuity, such as wizards, alchemists, or bards. Their penchant for curiosity and relentless inventiveness make them valuable members of any adventuring party.
Whether you choose a gnome who researches magical artifacts or one who unravels the secrets of nature – the possibilities are nearly limitless.
Conclusion
Gnomes bring a unique blend of intelligence, creativity, and a touch of playfulness to any adventure. Their long lifespan allows them the opportunity to master many different skills, and their natural curiosity drives them ever onward. If you are looking for a character who constantly questions the world around them and desires to explore new horizons, then a gnome is the perfect choice.
Have fun playing your gnome character in your next adventure!
