Homebrew Dread Gnome (A) Species Details

Society
 
Before Adin, no one had dared to climb Dread Mountain without being killed on the spot. Even after Adin won the loyalty of the Dread Gnomes, they remained highly suspicious and willing to kill travellers that climbed too close to their stronghold without invitation, though they at least offered the offenders a chance to leave. Dread Gnomes mark main paths and other locations on Dread Mountain with crossed arrows to mark where travellers should not enter. Gnome-rests, which are dotted throughout Dread Mountain, act as safe houses for Gnomes caught in fierce storms, are marked with this symbol.
 
Dread Gnomes value honour and will usually only kill those that are treacherous or do not follow their instructions, though their extreme paranoia can often cloud their judgement. Dread Ghomes will honour a life debt for as long as they live.
 
Dread Gnomes are known for being very hardy and highly self-sufficient, but also for having a great deal of pride. For generations, Dread Gnomes hunted the Kin on Dread Mountain, viewing them as terrible pests.
 
The Dread Gnomes guard their home on Dread Mountain jealously. They have a propensity for greed and hoard an immeasurable wealth of gold and jewels within their stronghold, though they can be persuaded to loan some of their treasures for a greater cause.
 
Dread Gnomes are most well known for their phenomenal archery skills. Dread Gnomes typically defend their stronghold on Dread Mountain firing en masse, raining arrows down on attackers, a tactic that was used to great effect during the Battle for Deltora in Adin's time. The only significant limitation to Dread Gnome archery is the piercing power of their arrows; because of their small stature, Dread Gnomes carry arrows roughly half the length and weight of those used by members of the Del tribe. This makes targets armoured with hides, such as Ak-Baba and green beasts, effectively invulnerable to the Gnomes' archery. The Gnomes have used flaming arrows on occasion, created by dipping their arrowheads in flammable oil and lighting them with torches, whcih can set targets ablaze even if they cannot penetrate their armour.
 
When archery is ineffective, Dread Gnomes have been known to employ traps to defend themselves. They have used a variety of tricks to defend their stronghold on Dread Mountain, including trapped doorways and two-way mirrors, the latter being an exceptionally rare trick in Deltora. Some members of the tribe enjoy tormenting individuals that fall into their traps and kill creatures like the Kin purely for sport, but they are looked down upon by their compatriots, who view such behaviours as simple.
 
Physical appearance
 
Dread Gnomes are short and stocky, much shorter than a member of the Del tribe and dwarfed by the tall Mere and Jalis. Male Dread Gnomes often have beards and both genders have been known to wear their hair long. Their hair is typically black or brown, though some Gnomes have sported red hair and they can have white hair in old age. Dread Gnome clothing is typically made from animal hide and fur. They are capable of making clothing insulating enough to hunt on Dread Mountain in the middle of winter. Some Gnomes wear jackets made of Kin skin.

Dread Gnome (A) Traits

Your Dread Gnome character has certain characteristics befitting your life on or around Dread Mountain.

Ability Score Increase

Your Intelligence score increases by 2 and your Dexterity score increases by 1.

Age

Dread Gnomes mature at the same rate humans do, and most are expected to settle down into an adult life by around age 40. They can live 150 to almost 200 years.

Size

Dread Gnomes are between 3 and 4 feet tall and average about 40 pounds. Your size is Small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 25 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 and Gnomish. The Gnomish language, which uses the Ralad script, is renowned for its technical treatises and its catalogs of knowledge about the natural world.

Natural Archer

You have an instinctual urge to reach for a bow as your weapon of choice. You gain proficiency in the Shortbow.
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