[Pathfinder] beastisrfrt

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paizo.com #2112918, David McBride <darklycario@gmail.com>, Jun 23, 2012
Core Races 1
everyone who is not a gnome as part of a single, vast nongnome
collective race.
Physical Description: Gnomes are one of the smallest
of the common races, generally standing just over 3 feet
in height. Despite their small frames, however, gnomes
are extremely resilient, and not as weak as many of their
foes assume. Though their diminutive stature reduces
their ability to move quickly, gnomes often train to take
advantage of their size, especially when fighting foes
much larger than themselves.
The coloration of gnomes varies so wildly that many
outsiders assume gnomes commonly use dyes and illusions
to change their skin and hair tones. While gnomes are
certainly not above cosmetic enhancement (and may wish
to change their appearance just to see how outlandish they
can look), their natural hues truly range over a rainbow
of coloration. Their hair tends toward vibrant colors such
as the fiery orange of autumn leaves, the verdant green
of forests at springtime, or the deep reds and purples of
wildf lowers in bloom. Similarly, their f lesh tones range
from earthy browns to f loral pinks, and gnomes with
black, pastel blue, or even green skin are not unknown.
Gnomes’ coloration has little regard for heredity, with
the color of a gnome’s parents and other kin having no
apparent bearing on the gnome’s appearance.
Gnomes possess highly mutable facial characteristics,
and their proportions often don’t match the norm of other
humanoid races. Many have overly large mouths and eyes, an
effect which can be both disturbing and stunning, depending
on the individual. Others may have extremely small features
spread over an otherwise blank expanse of face, or may
mix shockingly large eyes with a tiny, pursed mouth and a
pert button of a nose. Gnomes rarely take pride in or show
embarrassment about their features, but members of other
races often fixate on a gnome’s most prominent feature and
attempt to use it as the focus of insults or endearments.
Society: Unlike most races, gnomes do not generally
organize themselves within classic societal structures.
Gnome cities are unusual and gnome kingdoms almost
unknown. Further, gnomes have no particular tendency to
gather in specific neighborhoods even when a large number
of them live among other races. While specific laws meant
to contain the potential impact of gnomes on a society may
require a “gnome quarter,” and societal pressure sometimes
causes all non-gnomes to move away from areas with high
gnome populations, left to their own devices, gnomes tend
to spread evenly throughout communities that allow them.
However, even when gnomes are common within a
community as a group, individual gnomes tend to be
always on the move. Whimsical creatures at heart, they
typically travel alone or with temporary companions,
ever seeking new and more exciting experiences. They
rarely form enduring relationships among themselves
or with members of other races, instead pursuing crafts,
professions, or collections with a passion that borders on
zealotry. If a gnome does settle in an area or stay with a
group for a longer period, it is almost always the result of
some benefit that area gives to a vocation or obsession to
which the gnome had dedicated himself.
Despite their extremely varied backgrounds and lack of
a unifying homeland, gnomes do possess some common
cultural traits. Male gnomes have a strange fondness
for unusual hats and headgear, often wearing the most
expensive and ostentatious head-covering they can afford
(and that their chosen careers will allow them to wear
without causing problems). Females rarely cover their
heads, but proudly wear elaborate and eccentric hairstyles
that often include intricate jeweled combs and headpieces.
Relations: Gnomes have difficulty interacting with the
other races, on both emotional and physical levels. In many
ways the very fact other races see gnomes as odd is itself
the thing gnomes find most odd about other races, and
this leads to a strong lack of common ground upon which
understanding and relationships can be built. When two
gnomes encounter one another, they generally assume
some mutually beneficial arrangement can be reached,
no matter how different their beliefs and traditions may
be. Even if this turns out not to be the case, the gnomes
continue to look for commonalities in their dealings with
each other. The inability or unwillingness of members
of other races to make the same effort when dealing with
gnomes is both frustrating and confusing to most gnomes.
In many ways, it is gnomes’ strong connection to a
wide range of apparently unconnected ideas that makes
it difficult for other races to build relationships with
them. Gnome humor, for example, is often focused on
physical pranks, nonsensical rhyming nicknames, and
efforts to convince others of outrageous lies that strain
all credibility. Gnomes find such efforts hysterically
funny, but their pranks often come across as malicious
or senseless to other races, while gnomes in turn tend to
think of the taller races as dull and lumbering giants.
Gnomes get along reasonably well with half lings and
humans, who at least have some traditions of bizarre,
gnomelike humor. Gnomes generally feel dwarves and halforcs
need to lighten up, and attempt to bring levity into
their lives with tricks, jokes, and outrageous tales the more
dour races simply cannot see the sense of. Gnomes respect
elves, but often grow frustrated with the slow pace at which
members of the long-lived race make decisions. To gnomes,
action is always better than inaction, and many gnomes
carry several highly involved projects with them at all times
to keep themselves entertained during rest periods.
Alignment and Religion: Although gnomes are
impulsive tricksters, with sometimes inscrutable motives
and equally confusing methods, their hearts are generally
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paizo.com #2112918, David McBride <darklycario@gmail.com>, Jun 23, 2012