Gnome

Gnomes are small humanoids known for their eccentric sense of humor, inquisitiveness, and engineering prowess. Having had few overt influences on the world's history but many small and unseen ones, gnomes were often overlooked by the other major races.

Gnome Nations
There are no true gnome nations in Vedar. Gnomes tend to live as minority races within the boundaries of another nation, such as the Aurelian Empire. Those gnomes living on the surface are generally recognized as two groups: Forest Gnomes and Rock Gnomes. It is unclear where this division originated, and in the modern world it is not wholly accurate - forest gnomes are just as likely to live in the towns and cities of the greater kingdoms as they are to live in forests, and the rock gnomes are as likely to live by the sea as they are by the mountains.

Those Gnomes that dwell in the Underdark are known as the Deep Gnomes. There are many communities of Deep Gnomes across the Underdark as well as in the mountains of the world, but their most populous settlement is the city of Blingdenstone.

For those of other races, it can be very difficult to tell a forest gnome and rock gnome apart - whereas deep gnomes often have grey skin and tend to be taller and thinner than their surface brethren, forest and rock gnomes are virtually undistinguishable. To other gnomes, the difference can be clear from their accent, the way they dress and their manner and mannerisms, but all of these are often meaningless to non-gnomes.

Aurelian scholars have noted that gnomes are differentiated in a similar manner to the Dwarves - where gnomes are grouped into forest, rock, and deep, dwarves tend to be divided into hill, mountain and deep downers.

Culture
Like other races, gnomish culture varies greatly based on region and nation, but a few characteristics are common to many gnomes. Gnomes often place great value on one's ability to avoid trouble and stay out of the way of others.

Children's games often involve elements of stealth and, among adults, drawing attention to one's self is considered a breach of etiquette. As such, gnomes tend to be viewed as quiet and humble by many other races, who in turn are often viewed as brash, loud and arrogant by gnomes.

Legends of gnomish heroes do not tend to be of powerful warriors but of subtle tricksters, who sneaked past or tricked their opponents rather than vanquishing them in combat.

Deep gnomes, on the other hand, are often much more combative, having to defend themselves against the Drow and other deadly enemies of the Underdark. Surface-dwelling gnomes tend to have great respect for their Underdark brethren.