Appearance

• Gnomes typically don't get much taller than 2 feet, and can be found all around the world.

• Their skin colour varies depending on country of origin, but many take on a rosier, pinkish colour usually associated with constantly holding their breath to turn invisible, or immense hard work. 

• Hair colour really does have no limits. The colour usually is a reflection of what colour the closest flower was to the site of conception between the parent gnomes. 

  • For example, roses could equate to bright red hair, bluebells can turn the hair bluish, daffodils turn the hair yellow- and so on. ​

  • As a gnome ages, their hair turns more and more white. 

  • It is to be noted that gnome hair smells delicious (like bubblegum!) 

• Gnomes tend to have quite large, floppy ears which stick out on either side of their head. Many also have a big button nose to go with them, but not all. 

 

Origins

• Gnomes are distant relatives of the Faeries, the wildlings of nature. Through centuries of humans falling in love with the Fae, eventually the gnomes came to be. When the Fae stopped advertising themselves so frequently to the humans, the gnomes became their own race which bred with each other. 

• They are incredible little creatures with a knack for the natural world. Most gnomes feel wholeheartedly defeated if they cannot improve nature in some way with their residual magic from their ancestors, the Fae. 

  • The magic they still possess comes in the form of invisibility, health, and animal-speech. ​

• They have always been around to try and dissuade evil doers from wandering into the deep woods. Whilst they aren't classified as Fae-kind anymore, they still honour and revere them above all else. 

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History

• As humans progressed with technology, the gnomes pulled away from mingling with them. They weren't a fan of all the new methods humans discovered to work the lands. More trees were falling, more land was becoming barren, rivers stopped flowing- and the gnomes weren't happy about it. 

• Gnomes have the ability to inflict illness upon their targets through the touch of their magic. Many, many people started falling to sicknesses that some older, less well humans ended up dying from.

• In one settlement, known as Otea (found in Ireland), the entire human population had been wiped out by the gnomes, which destroyed the balance in that area. As a punishment, the Fae cursed gnomish magic. If ever they inflict illness on another, they will in turn have one of their five senses taken away for a whole day. This taught the gnomes to be wiser with their powers. 

• Otea, in turn, ended up becoming the gnomish capital of the world. It flourished with life. The crowds were a sea of rainbow heads. Animals were cured and new plants and vegetation was bred here, creating solutions to problems all around the world. The gnomes were incredibly innovative. 

• In the dark ages, when monster hunters came to exist for the eradication of the 'strange', they stumbled upon the gnomish utopia. The Supernatural Supreme court (the governing body of the supernatural) deemed them some of the worst offenders of exposing the supernatural secret. That being said, the monster hunters saw that they were causing no harm to anyone at all. In fact, they were a greater good. 

• ​As a solution, the gnomes were permitted to keep what they were doing so long as they remained hidden from the humans. As they started to mingle with humans again, they fell victim to their trickery. Wizards and other supernaturals fooled them into slavery to tend their gardens and mix their alchemical remedies. Some used them more maliciously, abusing their fae-gifted magics to curse their foes. ​

• Because of the betrayal of few, many gnomes do not trust humans and try to avoid them at all costs. 

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Modern Day

• Gnomes have become so good at hiding themselves since the olden days that many supernaturals have forgotten they exist, too. 

• To find a gnome in the wild is seen as a very lucky thing. To befriend one is an even greater feat. 

• They still avoid human settlements as best they can, but some have started to adapt to modern human culture. In a rare turn of events, there are now some gnomes abandoning the woods to live secretively in towns and cities. 

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Noteworthy People

• King Nir: The first ruler of Otea. He was a bubbly and kind soul. Gnomish family trees which have descended from Ireland will know the stories of how he never frowned once in his life. He was as happy as the thriving nature around him. All gnomes should aspire to be like him. 

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Advanced Lore

• By holding their breath, a Gnome can turn invisible. 

• Inflicting someone with an illness comes at a cost of losing one of the five senses, (touch, taste, hear, sight, smell.) 

• Some gnomes are more attuned to their magical lineage and can wield abilities. 

• Nobody is sure if Otea still exists. It's presumed it does, but is very, very difficult to find. It hasn't been seen since the dark ages. 

• Gnomes are incredibly strong despite their size. This is presumably another Fae-given magic to help their small bodies cope with the big world. 

• They can talk to animals and very commonly have close companions follow them about. Many gnomes use animals as scapegoats to hide behind if they are nearly discovered. 

• Gnomes love music and they especially love singing. 

• They are immortal so long as they continue to pay homage to nature. A gnome which does not participate in taking care of the natural world will grow more and more sick until they eventually die.