I've been playing Dungeons & Dragons for about four years now, and I've only recently worked up the courage to begin "home brewing" my own content. My first foray into this new world is for a Fifth Edition (5E) campaign I will be starting soon. I love the lore and story of D&D Fourth edition (4E), and so I've decided to modify the races that need it to recapture the feeling and personality of 4E while fitting the rules of 5E. So far I've made changes to several races, but in my opinion the best changes I've made is to the Gnome.
You see, although there are some reasons to like it, the Gnome has always bugged me a little bit in Fifth Edition. The Forest Gnome seems to take many of its ideas from traditional Germanic mythologies and folk tales, like those collected by the Brothers' Grimm. There are some elements of the folklore dwarf, and some of the folklore elf. That's the part I like... a race that seems dedicated to representing that part of mythology. But still, it doesn't feel quite right. It doesn't capture that magic and mysteriousness so present in 4E. And then there's the Rock Gnome.
I'll admit, the Rock Gnome does have its place. Gnomes are often portrayed as a steampunk race. Which I think is kind of cool, if that's the kind of game you're playing. But in a mythic or epic fantasy setting, I think the Rock Gnome detracts from the atmosphere. It adds that steampunk, tinker-y feel, which I do like, but that genre just doesn't usually fit the kinds of fairy stories I like to tell.
In addition, while the Forest Gnome maintains its own unique flair, the Rock Gnome really begins to overlap with the Dwarf. They're both short, they both have beards, and they both like creating things with metal. Combine that with both races' tendencies to live underground, and the similarities begin to feel a little uncomfortable.
In addition, while the Forest Gnome maintains its own unique flair, the Rock Gnome really begins to overlap with the Dwarf. They're both short, they both have beards, and they both like creating things with metal. Combine that with both races' tendencies to live underground, and the similarities begin to feel a little uncomfortable.
Which is why I think that the Fourth Edition Gnome was perfect. It took the unique parts of the Gnome race and added to them, giving the Gnomes a fey origin and an stealthy, mischievous, illusion-y theme. The idea of a race literally hiding to survive in the Feywild was very inspiring to me, and I think it matched the feel of the Eladrin (4E's unique, fey interpretation of High Elves) while contrasting well with the Dwarf and the Halfling. For my latest Fifth Edition game, I wanted something that captured that fey, magical feel... something the Rock Gnomes definitely don't have, and something that the Forest Gnomes in 5E just don't quite bring either.
As you'll see, I've turned the Gnome into a single race without any subraces. The ability scores of the default 5E Gnome bug me, so I gave those a little more flexibility. Within this race is a little bit of 4E, a little bit of 5E, and a little bit of me!
As you'll see, I've turned the Gnome into a single race without any subraces. The ability scores of the default 5E Gnome bug me, so I gave those a little more flexibility. Within this race is a little bit of 4E, a little bit of 5E, and a little bit of me!
So without further ado, here is the complete D&D 5E Fey Gnome race!
Few can claim to have ever seen a gnome. Those who can remember a short, quiet person who seemed to blend into the crowd, almost as if by habit. But those who pay attention also likely noticed a slight, mischievous smile upon the gnome's face, and a youthful twinkle in their eye... right before they slipped away.
Most Gnomes would not call themselves people of the spotlight. Gnomes are a race of the Feywild, a perilous place of nature, beauty and danger. The Gnomes have learned over millennia to hide to survive, and thus their settlements are nearly impossible to find. They make their homes in abandoned forest glades, digging burrows in hills, trees, giant mushrooms, and more. They use powerful illusions to protect their lands from the scrutiny of evil fey and other races.
This shyness extends into other aspects of a Gnome's life, as well. Most Gnomes never draw more than a little bit of attention to themselves when they're around other races, and they go out of their way to avoid stepping on toes. When they are comfortable, though, many Gnomes are actually very social. They are natural conversationalists, enjoying more than anything the news and small talk of a tavern's common room. Some exceptionally charismatic Gnomes who prefer the lively life to the quiet ways of their race might even become entertainers or bards.
Gnomes and Elves are known to trade frequently, and thus the two races are very friendly with one another. In fact, Gnomes are one of the only races that the Elves actually trust- enough to allow them to make their villages within Elvish borders!
When it comes to a fight, Gnomes are already long gone before one can even start! Unlike an Orc or a Goliath, as soon as Gnomes sense danger they make themselves scarce. On the rare occasion that a Gnome doesn't react to brewing conflict quickly enough, they will still immediately take flight and disappear, magically or otherwise. If given the choice to fight or flee, all Gnomes prefer the latter. Similarly, Gnome adventurers rarely use blunt force- instead, they usually prefer to use their wits, their magic, and their stealth to solve problems. Leave the clobbering to the Fighter!
Below are the statistics for a Gnome adventurer.
Most Gnomes would not call themselves people of the spotlight. Gnomes are a race of the Feywild, a perilous place of nature, beauty and danger. The Gnomes have learned over millennia to hide to survive, and thus their settlements are nearly impossible to find. They make their homes in abandoned forest glades, digging burrows in hills, trees, giant mushrooms, and more. They use powerful illusions to protect their lands from the scrutiny of evil fey and other races.
This shyness extends into other aspects of a Gnome's life, as well. Most Gnomes never draw more than a little bit of attention to themselves when they're around other races, and they go out of their way to avoid stepping on toes. When they are comfortable, though, many Gnomes are actually very social. They are natural conversationalists, enjoying more than anything the news and small talk of a tavern's common room. Some exceptionally charismatic Gnomes who prefer the lively life to the quiet ways of their race might even become entertainers or bards.
Gnomes and Elves are known to trade frequently, and thus the two races are very friendly with one another. In fact, Gnomes are one of the only races that the Elves actually trust- enough to allow them to make their villages within Elvish borders!
When it comes to a fight, Gnomes are already long gone before one can even start! Unlike an Orc or a Goliath, as soon as Gnomes sense danger they make themselves scarce. On the rare occasion that a Gnome doesn't react to brewing conflict quickly enough, they will still immediately take flight and disappear, magically or otherwise. If given the choice to fight or flee, all Gnomes prefer the latter. Similarly, Gnome adventurers rarely use blunt force- instead, they usually prefer to use their wits, their magic, and their stealth to solve problems. Leave the clobbering to the Fighter!
Below are the statistics for a Gnome adventurer.
Ability Score Increase. +2 Int, +1 Dex or Cha
Age. 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 350 to almost 500 years.
Alignment. Life is dangerous for small folk in the Feywild. Gnomes are usually good, but the gnomish attitudes of staying out of the spotlight and self preservation lend themselves to neutrality. Additionally, a chaotic alignment is not uncommon in those gnomes with an extra mischievous personality.
Size. 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. Lives lived in the deep forests of the Feywild have given you 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.
Fey Cunning. You have advantage on saving throws and skill checks against Illusions.
Woodland Survivor. You have proficiency in the stealth skill.
Natural Illusionist. You know the minor illusion cantrip. Either Charisma or Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for it, depending on which ability score is higher.
Speak with Small Beasts. Through sounds and gestures, you can communicate simple ideas with Small or smaller beasts. Gnomes love animals and often keep squirrels, badgers, rabbits, moles, woodpeckers, and other creatures as beloved pets.
Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Elvish.
Enjoy!
-The Chestnut Himself
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