Gnome

Physical Description
In size, Gnomes are between Halflings and dwarves. Typically standing 3 to 3-1/2 feet tall, and weighing 40-45 pounds. Skin color ranges from dark tans to woody browns, with eye colors typically being shades of blue. Hair is usually a light color. Males usually keep sort, carefully trimmed beards. Gnomes are considered adults at age 40 and often live into their fourth century.

Lands
During the Last War Gnomes claimed lands in southeastern Breland as their own, claiming independence and creating the country Zilargo.

Cities in Zilargo are marvels of architecture, combining the Gnomish knowledge of architecture and engineering with that of magical creations and elemental bindings. They also boast some of the largest and most complete libraries in the world.

The Library of Korranberg is known worldwide for its collection of knowledge. The library prides itself on not limiting its focus to one area of knowledge, but being dedicated to collecting all knowledge. In addition to being a place, it is also an organization with students, teachers, and explorers all over the world seeking to bring more knowledge back to the library.

Politics
Officially the lands of Zilargo are ruled by a triumvirate. The triumvirate was created when the three original city states needed to band together during the Last War. Unable to fully trust each other, one leader from each city was named to the triumvirate. To outsiders the lands of the Gnomes look peaceful and idealistic - low crime rates, beautiful cities, and friendly citizens, and a thirst for all knowledge.

Internally, complex politics, blackmail, deception, assassination, and espionage are all common tools. Two gnomes could be close personal friends and still seek to backstab each other over some political feud, and part of these complex maneuverings seems to come from a gnomish enjoyment of the art itself as much as from a desire for political power. Few people outside of Zilargo see this side though.

Also unknown to virtually all outsiders is The Trust. This hidden order of spies and assassins was created by the triumvirate to maintain law and order in Zilargo. Every citizen of Zilargo knows that anyone they speak to could be an agent of the trust. But, they see this as a virtue not an evil, they have the lowest crime in all of Khorvaire. The trust only acts to maintain the security of Zilargo as a whole. If one gnome backstabs, steals, or undercuts another, that is just business. But, if a gnome murders, or steals from the library or gives gnomish secrets to outsiders then the trust steps in to correct matters.

Despite its appearance of weakness, or perhaps because of it, Zilargo has been able to maintain its independence. The gnomes actively work to maintain their appearance of pranksters, tricksters, dedicated seekers of knowledge, shipbuilders, and skillful diplomats.

Gnomes are everywhere. They are the tellers of the dwarven banks. They are the merchants and sailors in the coastal cities. They are the crafters and laborers in Breland. They hold positions of trust in the Arcane Congress and University of Morgrave. House Sivis sends communications all over the continent. Gnomes tend to be happy and cheerful, willing to lend a hand for a modest fee, or to lend an ear to anyone with a story to tell. They are also skillful merchants and negotiators. They are typically well-spoken, and fluent in several languages.

Dragon Marks
Gnomes only carry one dragonmark - The Mark of Scribing, carried by House Sivis. House Sivis has developed a method to guarantee that a message carrying their mark is authentic.

Society
Family loyalty is very important to Gnomish. In a society where deception, blackmail, and espionage is common, family is the only people you can trust completely. Favors and honoring debts is also very important. Politics in Zilargo are bound together by a web of secrets, debts, and favors owed.

Magic and subtlety play a part in everything in gnome’s lives.

Gnomes love story telling and songs, and often use illusions to enhance the performance.

Upper-class Gnomish clothing is some of the most striking ever seen, weaving incredibly illusion spells into the fabric itself to create unique hypnotic patterns as the wearer moves. Or to present beautiful scenes in the cloth, such as a sunset over mountains. Even non magical clothes tend to be lose and flowing. Hats are incredibly popular with a typical gnome owning a closet full of headwear. Jewelry is often used to accentuate the clothing, but will just as often be crafted of copper and glass as it will be of gold and gems.

Gnomes will use prestidigitation and minor cantrips to help maintain their personal appearance and to keep their property clean and bright. High-end Zilargo establishments may turn away patrons if they don't meet a minimum level of appearance. Gnomes also have a highly developed sense of smell, leading to use of perfumes by both males and females, although they are often so subtle that others races can not even smell them.

This sense of subtlety carries through to even their foods. Zilargo chiefs often use subtle spices and flavors that have been obtained from all over the world, and even some that can only be obtained through the use of minor prestidigitation spells. An example of this would be a favorite drink called Maleko - chilled water infused with very faint traces of various flavors. Often so subtle that other races cannot detect it, many are confused by gnomes ordering of water instead of ale.