Role-Playing Game Section

Monstrous Compendium
AD&D - 2nd Edition

CLIMATE/TERRAIN:	Any woods or hills
FREQUENCY:	Rare
ORGANIZATION:	Clans
ACTIVITY CYCLE:	Any
DIET:	Omnivore
INTELLIGENCE:	Very (11-12)
TREASURE:	C,Qx20 (Mx3)
ALIGNMENT:	Neutral good
# APPEARING:	3d4 (3-12)
ARMOR CLASS:	5 (10)
MOVEMENT:	6
HIT DICE:	1d8
THAC0:	19
# OF ATTACKS:	1
DAMAGE/ATTACK:	1d6 (by weapon)
SPECIAL ATTACKS:	Nil
SPECIAL DEFENSES:	See Below
MAGIC RESISTANCE:	Special
SIZE:	Small (3' tall)
MORALE:	Steady (12)
XP VALUE:	65
Leaders	120
Description	Combat	Habitat/Society	Ecology
Smaller relatives of the dwarves, gnomes are shy and rarely seen by other demi-humans. They tend to dwell near secluded forests, and live peaceful lives. Short and stout, the gnome looks like a compact version of the dwarf, although two major facial features help to distinguish them. Gnomes do not let their beards grow longer than half a foot, and they have long, broad noses fully twice the size of any dwarf's. The skin of a gnome is any shade of wooden brown, sometimes with a hint of gray. Their hair is white, and their eyes are shades of blue. Gnomish clothing tends toward leather and earth tones, with jewelry to match. Gnomes speak their own language and are often able to converse with kobolds, goblins, halflings, and dwarves. Further, many are able to communicate with burrowing mammals via a basic language of signs and animal sounds.
Description	Combat	Habitat/Society	Ecology
Gnomes are likely to use any strategy in combat that is not blatently treacherous. Their great hatred of kobolds and goblins gives them a +1 on their attack rolls when fighting them. All giant class creatures (gnolls, bugbears, ogres, trolls, giants, etc.) must subtract 4 from their attack rolls when fighting gnomes. Gnomes can muse any weapon that matches their size, and always carry a second (or even third) weapon. They are fond of studded leather armor and small sheilds (AC 6). Their leaders will have chain mail (AC 4) and any gnome above 5th level has plate mail (AC 2). There is a 10% chance for each level above 5th that the gnome's armor or weapon is magical (roll separately for each). Roll percentile dice two or three times (DM's discretion) on the table below to determine their weapons. Club (or war hammer) Short sword Spear Short bow (or crossbow) Sling Dagger 01-40% 41-70% 71-85% 86-90% 91-95% 96-00% Gnomes are highly resistant to magic or poison and save as if they were 4 levels higher than they really are. Gnomes can be preists or fighters, but prefer being theives and illusionists. Spell casters have a 10% chance per level of having 1-3 magical items (not weapons or armor) usable by their character class.
Description	Combat	Habitat/Society	Ecology
Gnomes live in underground burrows in remote woods. They are clannish, with a friendly rivalry between nearby clans. They spend their lives mining, tunneling and enjoying the peaceful quiet of the woods. Gnomes work hard, and play hard. They observe many festivals and holidays, which usually involve games and swapping of grand tales. Their society is well organized, with many levels of responsibility, culminating in a single chief. The clerics share leadership with the chief, but only for those matters directly relating to their calling. Internal strife in a gnome tribe is uncommon, although not unheard of. A gnomish lair will be home to some 40-400 (4d10x10) adult males. For every 40 gnomes there is a fighter of 2nd to 4th level (1d3+1). If 160 or more are encountered there is also a 5th level cheif and a 3rd level lieutenant. If 200 or more are met, there is a cleric or illusionist of 4th to 6th level (1d3+3). If 320 or more are met, add a 6th level fighter, two 5th level fighters, a 7th level cleric, four 3rd level clerics, a 5th level illusionist and two 2nd level illusionists. Also in the lair, there will be a number of females equal to the number of males and children equal to 1/4 the total number of adults. Gnomes use animals to guard their homes, 5-30 (5d6) badgers (70%), 3-12 (3d4) giant badgers (20%), or 2-8 (2d4) wolverines (10%). These creatures are not bound or caged, but are free creatures that have chosen to stay near the tribe.
Description	Combat	Habitat/Society	Ecology
Gnomes are very much a magical part of nature, existing in harmony with the land they inhabit. They choose to live underground for protection and to avoid marring the works of nature. Gnomes eat meat only if no other food source is available. They have an average life span of around 600 years and are capable of detecting slops and other underground constructions as described in the Player's Handbook.