Gnom

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Short, but not stocky or lean. 3' on average. Have somewhat rodent-like features, a bit like rabbits or hamsters. Large eyes, snout-like noses, and ears are furred with tufts.

~ Keen noses give a +2 Notice bonus for checks involving smells.
~ Can use scent to find their underground and identify people, edible foods, chemicals, etc.
~ +1 to resist Fear.

Gnoms live even deeper in the earth than the dweorg, only coming up to the surface world to trade and gather food. Even then they use secret passages and tunnels that lead to hidden glens and valleys tucked away from surface civilization. They do this to protect them homes and way of life, mostly out of fear surface mortals will use their tunnels to steal precious resources, rather than any concern about being attacked. Short lifespans and dangerous living environments have led to a cultural philosophy leaning toward Fatalism. Most gnoms are not afraid of death, only the loss of home and comfort.

Living underground has made gnoms the ultimate omnivores, capable of eating just about anything organic with little problem. Their taste buds are very dull, allowing them to eat super spicy, salty, sweet, sour, or bitter foods without issue, even food that surface mortal would call rotten. It is very rare for a gnom to ever feel any negative effects from food that would put a human into an early grave.

Kobold

Kobolds live together in loose groups controlled by the strongest among them, existing in a survival of the fittest form or anarchy. Similar in size and build to gnoms, but with a much more rat-like aspect, including the addition of tails. whiskers, and sharp fangs. They are cowardly creatures, terrified of direct conflict with anything stronger than them, finding their courage in mobs and the use of traps. Greatly fearing death, kobolds hate the gnom's calm acceptance, triggering instant aggression on sight.