Gnomes

    The gnomes of Shadlen are not like those of other lands.  Here they are descended from interbreeding between the ancient wriothling nature spirits and the Chômkar (dwarves).  The legends say that as the Chômkar moved down the spine of the Drakenscale mountains the eventually reached the more hospitable lands of the Great Forest and that some Chômkar forsake their underground cities to live in this new land.  The forest was home to wriothlings that were still strong in their nature magic and some of them were glad to welcome these Chômkar wanderers who were so awed by the natural world around them.  One thing led to another and the two races mixed forming the gnomes.

    There are three subraces of gnome in Shadlen, the rock, forest and water gnomes.  All the subraces have the following traits :

• Small Size

• 20' base speed

• Low-Light Vision

• +4 dodge bonus against giants

• +2 racial bonus on Listen checks

Rock Gnomes

  Description : These gnomes take the most after their Chômkar ancestors, if a smaller version.  Rock gnomes stand 3 to 3 1/2 feet tall and weigh 40-45 pounds.  Their complexion is light tan to ruddy, with dark brown to black hair and brown eyes.

  Habitat :  Rock gnomes live in sprawling villages composed of burrow homes.

  Racial Traits :

• +2 Con, -2 Str

• +2 racial bonus to Alchemy checks

• Rock gnomes with an Int score of 10 or more can cast the 0-level spells dancing lights, ghost sound and prestidigitation, each once per day.

• Favored Class : illusionist

Forest Gnomes

  Description : Forest gnomes are shorter than their rock cousins, standing 2 1/2 to 3 feet tall and quite slender.  Their skin tones ranges from light tan to a greenish tinge.  Browns and greens can be found for both hair and eye coloration.

  Habitat :  Forest gnomes live in tree houses sometimes connected into treetop villages.

  Racial Traits :

• +2 Dex, -2 Str

• +2 racial bonus to Climb checks

• Wood gnomes with an Int score of 10 or more can cast the 0-level spells dancing lights, mendings and flare, each once per day.

• Favored Class : Ranger

Water Gnomes

  Description :  Water gnomes are the rarest of the gnome races and are generally 2 1/2 feet tall.  They have translucent to greenish skin with blue and green the most common eye color.  Water gnomes can have hair colors of white, blonde, blues and greens.

  Habitat : Water gnomes always build their villages near water.  Their villages tend to have any combination of burrow, tree or above ground thatch homes.

  Racial Traits :

• +2 Dex, -2 Str

• +2 racial bonus to Swim checks

• Water gnomes with a Wis score of 10 or more can cast the 0-level spells create water, purify food and drink and those with an Int score of 10 or more can cast dancing lights, each once per day.

• Favored Class : Rogue