[REQUEST REQUIRED] Deep Gnomes

Overview - The Deep Gnomes reside within the western mountains of the continent, northwest of Surna. Located in a great underground city for many years, they have recently established several entrances on this side of the mountains, and sent forth emissary's to the humans lands in the south. Though still few in number on the surface, the deep gnomes are being spotted more and more as their inquisitive nature drives them out to explore.

Cultural/Social Overview - The Deep Gnomes culture is one of individualism tied up with a common racial motive. Deep Gnomes are inquisitive to the extreme, often pushing the boundaries of science (and sanity) in order to just see what might happen next. Almost every Deep Gnome tinkers in one way or the other, either with clockwork and mechanical, or they "tinker" with other arts, such as magic and necromancery.

The Deep Gnomes, as a society, puts it's trust in the mechanically inclined, and rather then having a monarch like most modern systems, the Deep Gnomes practice a form of Roman Republicanism. They have a council made up of the interest of the city, consisting of various guilds, clubs, unions, and universities. Every four years these council members vote on a "High Tinker", the equivalant of a modern day president. While the ability to engineer is very important in this election, the council also looks at the leadership, charisma, personality, and morality of a leader. The Gnomes have not had a true king since the establishment of their home city over a thousand years ago.

Deep Gnome society is one of omniarchy, meaning both sexes are treated more or less equally on a societal level.

The gnomes treatment of mentally sick or retarded Gnomes is a humanitarian one. Through a mixture of science, psychology, and magic, they attempt to treat the problems, and if unable, it least allow the people to live comfortably. It is not unusual to see a mentally retarded gnome happily doing a bit of busy work under the caring gaze of a older gnome.

Biology - Deep Gnomes usually stand between 3'6 and 4'6 tall, though their are recordings of them growing as large as 5'0, who are considered gigantic by many of their race. They have a proportional body, but have three large fingers and a thumb on each hand rather then four thinner fingers and a thumb. The males sometimes grow elaborate beards and mustaches, or choose to remain smooth faced. The woman tend to be slightly smaller then the average male. Gnomes live for upwards of two hundred years, and are considered to reach maturity around forty years old. Though small, the gnome's are surprisingly stocky for their frames, are are usually capable of handling a large pack filled with mechanical bits and tools, much to the amazement (And often amusement) of other species, and are extremely intelligent (Though very often less wise), and the average Deep Gnome thinks at a much more rapid rate then an average human.

Naming Conventions - Deep Gnome first names are usually given when a child is born. While there is no set naming pattern for first names, they tend to favor two syllable non-repeated words. The child's last name is usually the family name, that is, the name of an ancestor and their achievements. By the time a Gnome is exiting their thirties they should, according to the society, have achieved something worthy of taking on as their last name.

• Male Names: Grobnick, Kazbo, Hagin, Snoonose.
  
• Female Names: Beggra, Nefti, Sorassa, Gamash.
  
• Family Names: Spinpistol, Airslicer, Bombtosser, Greatgear

Faith - The Deep Gnomes have very little in the way of faith, putting their trust in their friends, family, and inventions. A few of the young Gnomes now traveling to the human kingdoms have begun to study faith and the established god's, their natural curiosity making them question who these figures are and why the other races put so much stock into them.

Language - The Gnomes speak Gnomish, but their massive mental abilities have allowed their first emissary's to rapidly pick up the common language. Coupled with a number of books received in their first interactions with humans, gnome society is shifting as they learn a second language along with their first, in preparation with interaction with the world at large. (A side note: Ninety eight percent of the gnomes are literate, making them one of best read societies in existence.)

Attitude towards magic - Gnomes are bright, curious, friendly people. They love questioning, love inventing, and love exploring — all of which makes them oddly suitable for arcane study. Yet most gnomes have too much humor and humility to become enamored of their own power, or to look down upon others. This attitude is a great relief to those who have seen gnome magi in action, because if they had the same arrogance as blood elves or ambition as humans, gnome spellcasters could pose a serious threat to the world.

Gnomes are far less likely to follow the path of divine magic. Most of them are too grounded in earthly desires and too distracted by spiritual pursuits to become devout, or even to pay much attention to the various Eternals and religious philosophies. Gnomes revere creature comforts and creativity more than nature or any particular being, no matter how grand.

Gnomes do not look down upon healers, however. In many ways the gnomes respect such people because they cannot imagine following such a path themselves. They can see the merits of a devout life, and the clear results of divine favor, but have no interest in pursuing such activities. Many gnomes feel that way about arcane magic as well — they admire the results, and respect the dedication, but are not willing to spend all their time in such pursuits. The gnomes tolerate magic, perhaps more than any other Alliance race, because they are content to let others follow their own interests. Most gnomes are not concerned about the risk of magi creating another magical cataclysm, especially since they are always ready to interrogate each mage, get his advice, and then deflate his ego and help keep him from becoming power-mad. (Taken directly from the WoW:RPG sourcebook)

A standard Gnome Warrior, equipped for battle:

A young Deep Gnome engineer:

An example of Gnome Technology, which is always in an experimental stage (Their flying machines still tend to crash, and only the truly brave test pilot them):

A female Gnome Wizard of the Order of Necromantic Magic:


Disclaimer: Some of this is from WoW, some of this is from DnD, some of this is personal interpretation and ideas. All the images are from the Warcraft universe and are copyrighted to Blizzard so forth blah blah.

This race is awesome you must approve it!

I've always seen Deep Gnomes as being darker skinned... like the drow..

But that's what makes it original, eh?

The Drow were dark because they had been cursed by their God, no?

Normally a species locked away from the sun becomes extremely pale, because the sun gives us certain vitamens (I know it's weird) that literally cause our skin to shift color. Thats why people from hot areas tend to be darker.

Prone_To_Death18 wrote:

The Drow were dark because they had been cursed by their God, no?

Yes, but they learned it was good for stealth.

Which is the drow thing, yes.

But a race that naturally lives under ground is pale, and besides, the gnomes )while they do have "rogues" for lack of better word), are more about traps, mechanical devices, and explosives.

The gnomes also have had gas and arcane light technology for a long time.

Guuys... more opinions? we gunna accept it or not?