Half-Gnomes

HALF-GNOMES

+2 Constitution, –4 Charisma
Small: As a Small creature, a gnome gains a +1 size bonus to Armor Class, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, and a +4 size bonus on Hide checks. Unlike most Small creatures, a half-gnome may use Medium sized equipment without penalty, and his lifting and carrying limits are that of a Medium sized creature.
Powerful Build: The physical stature of half-gnomes lets them function in many ways as if they were one size category larger.

Whenever a half-gnome is subject to a size modifier or special size modifier for an opposed check (such as during grapple checks, bull rush attempts, and trip attempts), the half-gnome is treated as one size larger if doing so is advantageous to him.

A half-gnome is also considered to be one size larger when determining whether a creature’s special attacks based on size (such as improved grab or swallow whole) can affect him. A half-gnome can use weapons designed for a creature one size larger as if he were that size. However, his space and reach remain those of a creature of his actual size. The benefits of this racial trait stack with the effects of powers, abilities, and spells that change the subject’s size category.
Half-gnome base land speed is 30 feet.
Low-Light Vision: A half-gnome can see twice as far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of poor illumination. He retains the ability to distinguish color and detail under these conditions.
+2 racial bonus on Listen checks.
Gnomish Blood: For all effects related to race, a half-gnome is considered a gnome.
Automatic Languages: Common and Gnome. Bonus Languages: Any nonsecret.
Spell-Like Abilities: 1/day—dancing lights OR ghost sound, chosen at character creation. Caster level 1st; save DC 10 + half-gnome’s Cha modifier + spell level.
Favored Class: Any. A half-gnome’s highest level class does not count when determining whether or not he takes an experience point penalty.

A half-gnome retains the toughness and acuity of their gnomish parent, and takes on the strength of their human parent. Sadly, the mixing of human and gnomish traits produces bizarre distortions in facial features that mar the appearance of any half-gnome. This physical deformity, in addition to the difficulty they have in fitting into gnomish or human society at a young age, causes most half-gnomes to be less sure of themselves in social situations.

Half-gnomes get along well with dwarves, who are most likely to appreciate their tendencies towards physical prowess and hard work rather than subterfuge and deceit. Despite this stereotype, they are no less intelligent or dexterous than their human or gnomish ancestors. Many an adventurer has misjudged a dull-featured half-gnome, and paid the price for it.