Gnome

Cursed with Insanity and Doomed to Extinction

The species referred to as gnomes by the majority of people is actually a sub-species that branched from the original gnomes at the end of the Age of Legends. Most scholars now refer to the original gnomes as Ager; although they are thought to be near extinction as well.

Gnomes are the smallest sapient humanoid race. Both males and females average around slightly less than 2 feet tall; although heights of almost 3 feet are not completely unknown. Skin color ranges from light brown to green; with shades of dark green the most common. Hair and eye color can be almost any shade, but light-colored hair and blue or green eyes are the most common. A gnome's natural life is around 120 years; although nobody is sure of this, as most gnomes do not die of old age.

These are the ancestors of the gnomes. The gnomes did not branch off because of a slow evolutionary track, but instead the collapse of power when the Black Gates were closed. The ager are creatures whose very existence is impossible without the Black Gates and the power from beyond. When the gates were closed most of the ager died before the next sunrise. The only survivors were those ager that were near the Seventh Game, which was never fully closed.

Those ager that were near the other gates that did not die were forever twisted and misshapen by the sudden loss and have become known as gnomes.