Gnome

Gnomes establish small settlements, workshops and hidden homes in Elaria's hills or beneath old cities. Their traditions combine craftsmanship, curiosity and the study of unusual phenomena. Family stories often recall ancestors who safely crossed the boundary between practical invention and magical knowledge. A gnome's home usually makes good use of space, holds many tools and contains objects whose purpose a visitor will not immediately recognize.

They are intelligent and enjoy finding solutions beyond those offered by custom. They live in families or communities where experienced masters, researchers and elders may gain respected positions. A lone gnome on the road might be seeking materials, investigating a mystery or looking for someone who appreciates their work. Curiosity can lead to courage as well as carelessness. They usually want to create safely, learn and share their results with people they trust.

Cleverness improves one Intelligence result outside a direct attack once per scene, while Rune Resistance increases magic defense. A gnome therefore offers more than a small warrior: problem-solving and resistance to magic are their strengths. The party may need an explanation of a strange mechanism, help with research or assistance finding a missing apprentice. A gnome settlement may be friendly, but it need not grant access to sensitive knowledge to everyone who can pay.