Gnome (Dungeons & Dragons)

Gnome
Characteristics
Alignment	Usually Neutral Good
Type	Humanoid

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, gnomes are one of the core races available for play as player characters. Some speculate that they are closely related to dwarves; however, gnomes are more tolerant of other races and of magic, and are skilled with illusions. Gnomes are Small sized humanoids, standing 3-3½ feet (90-105 centimeters) tall.

The gnome first appeared in the original 1974 edition of Dungeons & Dragons, and in its second supplement, Blackmoor (1975).

The gnome appeared as a player character race in the original Player's Handbook (1978). The gnome also appeared in the original Monster Manual (1977). A new gnomish subrace, the deep gnome (svirfneblin), was presented as a character race in the original Unearthed Arcana (1985). Another gnome subrace, the tinker gnome (minoi), was presented in Dragonlance Adventures.

Gnomes were originally introduced to Dungeons & Dragons as a new alternative to dwarves, elves, and halflings. They were developed from mythology from a number of different sources, originally being a bearded, short race similar to halflings and dwarves. The gnome's niche in play was made magical, to separate it from the more warrior-like dwarf and the more rogue-like halfling.

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