Homebrew Half-Gnome (Gnelf) Species Details

Skinny and blonde-haired, his skin almost as pale as the snow around him and his eyes a deep purple, Gesh stood on the snow drift with his party around him and next to a reindeer, shoulder to shoulder Gesh still stood a head lower than this reindeer. Reaching for his telescope, Gesh brings it up to his eye and looks out across the horizon, scanning for the wolf that had dragged off his brother Stryx in the middle of the night. 

                   - Some random guy, When the Levi Breaks

 

 

Once upon a time, deep within the snowy mountains of Snowlevi a friendship was forged between a faction of Elves and Gnomes. Over time they grew closer and closer, to the point of an cross species being formed, known as "Half-Gnome" or "Gnelf".

A Half-Gnome is a bit taller than that of a Halfling, but shorter than an Elf. Pale skin, pointy ears and hair usually a shade of blonde or light brown. Thin, but well built from working in the workshops, training at the combat area or from the many hunts they have to go on to feed their population.

They were accepted at first by the Gnomish population, but, ended up being the cause of a great war that saw both the Gnomish and Elvish population dwindle and dwarf in comparison to that of the Gnelfish population who had done their best to try and prevent the all out war.

The Gnelf's did their best to try and find the remnants of their parental species, but all that was left were bodies torn apart by Quicklings who had made their way through a nearby portal from the Faewild and plague the local landscape, getting around on little ski's (or for the ones who are too cool for school, a snow board).

Left alone and lost to the world, the Gnelfish population met a bearded Goliath & his bearded wife in the Snowlevi Western Mountains, it was here that he offered them a deal, deal that would see the creation of "Crimbo" a celebration of the Winter where the Goliath would deliver presents to those in need around the local Snowlevi region via his magical sled and reindeer.

Together, the Goliath (known as Nickolas, or Nick to those close to him) and the Half-Gnomes, they started a new village at the foot of the Western Snowlevi Mountains and started their operation of creating supplies for Nick the Goliath to deliver during Crimbo (A.K.A the worst snowstorm month in Snowlevi).

And that is where the Gnelfish population remained, happy and content at providing supplies for those in need, with Nick the Goliath's deep laugh and stories of the people he saves each year the Gnelf's continue on with their lives.

 

Vibrant Expression

A gnelf's energy and enthusiasm shines through from their gnomish side, whilst their elvish side side can make the appear coy at times. Gnelfs average 4 feet tall (up to around 4.5) and weigh 45 to 55 pounds. Their pale white or light brown faces are often adorned with short purse smiles or open grins, unlike their Gnomish heritage they have smaller noses closer to their elven heritage, and their eyes shine with their eyes often being various purple or green colours. Their hair is long, silky and can be blonde or light brown, it is unusual for any of the Gnelfs to have curly hair, although a few do attempt this hair style (much to the shock and laughter of their village).

A gnelf's personality can be a varied and depends on their blood line, they can be bubbly, stern, happy go lucky, or straight up stern (often referred to as the "grumpy" crew).

Gnelf's live up to 600 year's and are often chaotic good unless corrupted.

 

Delighted Dedication

Compared to their counterparts (elfs or gnomes), the gnelf's are fairly happy to sit back and live a long and happy life, taking in what happens around them, but, have a severe need to hone their skills and knowledge in everything around them, this comes from their history in the Crimbo Village working the workshops, hunting parties and cooking ranges. Gnelf's have little knowledge of the world at large, due to the loss of knowledge when their ancestors died at war or to the dreadful quicklings.

Gnelfs speak with carefully planned pace, being able to deliberate the thoughts and put them into words, although this can vary across the different gnelf with some losing control of their words and bursting out in fits of giggles as they regain their composure. When they listen to others speak, you can tell from their facial expressions and vocal exclaimations that they're paying attention and care what others have to say.

Though gnelfs love jokes of all kinds, particularly puns and pranks, they’re just as dedicated to the more serious tasks they undertake. Many gnomes are skilled engineers, alchemists, tinkers, and inventors. They’re willing to make mistakes and laugh at themselves in the process of perfecting what they do, taking bold (sometimes foolhardy) risks and dreaming large.

The Crimbo Village

The gnelfs originate from the Snowlevi wildlands, where they have remained and grown a life at the foot of a mountain on the westside of the Snowlevi wildlands, a very cold and harsh land, fraught with danger from both the environment and creatures alike (watch out for those strange areas where snow floats). They set up shop (quite literally) and built out a humble village (verging on town at this point) known as "Crimbo Village" which serves as a centre point for Nick the Goliath's charitable venture.

This village works as one, workshops, indoor farms, shops, combat training grounds and stables all combine to build supplies for those who need them at Crimbo. Around the mountainous area there were mines for different ores, iron being the main resource and rarer materials appearing in abundance in strange bubbles below the surface.

You can find the village combined with both buildings outside and also inside the mountain, using a large open cavern for a lot of their homesteads (especially during the winter months).

Currently, no gnelfs have left and knowingly survived getting to another populated land.

Gnelfish Names

Gnelf's love names, and most have half a dozen or so. A Gnelf's mother, father, clan elder, aunts, and uncles each give the gnelf a name, and various nicknames from just about everyone else might or might not stick over time. gnelf names are typically variants on the names of ancestors or distant relatives or from their elvish heritage, though some are purely new inventions. A gnelflearns to use no more than three names: a personal name, a clan name, and a nickname, choosing the one in each category that’s the most fun to say, whilst retaining their family name.

Male Names: Alston, Alvyn, Boddynock, Brocc, Burgell, Dimble, Eldon, Erky, Fonkin, Frug, Gerbo, Gimble, Glim, Jebeddo, Kellen, Namfoodle, Orryn, Roondar, Ivellios, Laucian, Mindartis, Paelias, Peren, Quarion, Riardon, Rolen, Soveliss, Thamior, Tharivol, Theren, Varis

Female Names: Bimpnottin, Breena, Caramip, Carlin, Donella, Duvamil, Ella, Ellyjobell, Ellywick, Lilli, Loopmottin, Lorilla, Mardnab, Nissa, Nyx, Oda, Orla, Roywyn, Leshanna, Lia, Meriele, Mialee, Naivara, Quelenna, Quillathe, Sariel, Shanairra, Shava, Silaqui, Theirastra, Thia, Vadania, Valanthe, Xanaphia

Clan Names: Beren, Daergel, Folkor, Garrick, Nackle, Murnig, Ningel, Raulnor, Scheppen, Timbers, Turen

Nicknames: Aleslosh, Ashhearth, Badger, Cloak, Doublelock, Filchbatter, Fnipper, Ku, Nim, Oneshoe, Pock, Sparklegem, Stumbleduck

Family Names (Common Translations): Amakiir (Gemflower), Amastacia (Starflower), Galanodel (Moonwhisper), Holimion (Diamonddew), Ilphelkiir (Gemblossom), Liadon (Silverfrond), Meliamne (Oakenheel), Naïlo (Nightbreeze), Siannodel (Moonbrook), Xiloscient (Goldpetal)

Seeing the World

Gnelf's are yet to see the world and have little to no knowledge of life beyond Snowlevi, due to the death of their ancestors and burning of knowledge, no gnelf has left the village openly with the intention of adventuring.

ALWAYS APPRECIATIVE

It’s rare for a gnelf to be hostile or malicious unless he or she has suffered a grievous injury. gnelf know that most races don’t share their sense of humor, but they enjoy anyone’s company just as they enjoy everything else they set out to do.

 

 

Half-Gnome (Gnelf) Traits

Your gnelf character has certain characteristics in common with all other gnelf.

Fey Ancestry

You have an advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

Natural Illusionist

You know the minor illusion cantrip. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for it.

Magical tendency

You know one cantrip of your choice from the following wizard spell list. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for it:

Control Flames, Create Bonfire, Dancing Lights, Mending, Message, Prestidigitation, True Strike

Meditation

Thanks to their Elvish lineage, Gnelfs are able to meditate instead of taking a full 8 hour sleep when taking a long rest.

If there is any interruption to the trance, then the individuals would need to restart their resting process.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity goes up by 2 and Intelligence by 1 or your Intelligence goes up by 2 and Dexterity goes up by 1.

Age

Gnelfs mature at the same rate elves do, and most are expected to settle down into an adult life by around age 70. They can live 450 to almost 600 years.

Alignment

Gnelfs are most often chaotic good. Those who tend toward law are sages, engineers, researchers, scholars, investigators, or inventors. Those who tend toward chaos are minstrels, tricksters, wanderers, or fanciful jewelers. gnelfs are good-hearted, and even the tricksters among them are more playful than vicious.

Size

Gnelfs are between 4 - 4.5 feet tall and average about 55 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Accustomed to life underground, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Gnome Cunning

You have advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common, Elvish and Gnomish. The Gnomish language, which uses the Dwarvish script, is renowned for its technical treatises and its catalogs of knowledge about the natural world.

 

The base language of your culture is Elvish.