Gnomes are more curious than their halfling cousins. They are scholars and inventors, always striving to learn. Gnomes have a very high aptitude for arcane magic, with almost one in five having some ability for magic.
Abelin Gemscribe, a famous gnomish wizard
Gnomish culture values knowledge highly, especially the study of history. Many gnomes take up professions that uphold the law, such as magistrates or lawyers, to the point that go to the gnomes is an Estian idiom for seeking legal aid.
Gnomes live longer than halflings, usually becoming around years old. Gnome names often refer to a feature of the land or a profession, but have a lot of overlap with halfling names, especially for forest-dwelling gnomes.
Gnomish Ideals
- Inquisitiveness: The day I stop learning is the day I die. (Any)
- Logic: Knowledge must also be applied well before it is useful. (Lawful)
- Justice: Society must swiftly punish wrongdoers, but do so without cruelty. (Good)
- Authority: I want to be in charge. (Evil)
- Discipline: Too much of anything spoils it. (Neutral)
- Innovation: Old knowledge applied in a new light can be the solution to many problems. (Chaotic)