Rock gnomes are known for their cleverness, tireless curiosity, and love of invention. Their communities are filled with workshops, curious devices, and lively conversation, and they approach the world with a mixture of scholarly interest and playful mischief. Though physically small, rock gnomes possess keen minds and nimble hands, making them excellent artisans, engineers, and illusionists. They delight in puzzles, stories, and practical jokes, but their good humor rarely hides a sharp intellect.

Rock gnomes stand about 3 to 3 1/2 feet tall and weigh roughly 40 to 45 pounds. Their skin ranges from dark tan to woody brown, and their hair is typically fair, with shades of blond, sandy brown, or light red being common. Their eyes are bright and expressive, often reflecting the curiosity and enthusiasm that define their people. Gnome men usually keep their beards neatly trimmed.

Rock Gnome Ability Adjustments: +2 Con, -2 Str.
Favored Class (Bard): A multiclass rock gnome's bard class does not count when determining whether he suffers an XP penalty for multiclassing.

Special Abilities:

- Small Stature
+1 size bonus to attack rolls.
+1 size bonus to AC.
+4 size bonus to Stealth checks for circumstantial hiding modifiers.
- Hardiness vs. Illusions: +2 racial bonus on saving throws against mind-affecting spells.
- Offensive Training vs. Reptilians: +1 racial bonus on attack rolls against reptilian humanoids.
- Offensive Training vs. Goblinoids: +1 racial bonus on attack rolls against goblinoids (goblins, hobgoblins, and bugbears).
- Defensive Training vs. Giants: +4 dodge bonus to AC against giants.
- Skill Affinity (Perception, hearing): +2 racial bonus to Perception checks for circumstantial hearing modifiers.
- Skill Affinity (Concentration): +2 racial bonus to Concentration checks.
- Skill Affinity (Alchemy and tinkering): +2 racial bonus to Craft checks that apply to alchemy or tinkering.
- Skill Affinity (Arcana knowledge): +2 racial bonus to Knowledge checks that apply to arcana.
- Magical Affinity (Illusion): Gnomes add +1 DC to any Illusion spells they cast.
- Low-Light Vision: Allows them to see better than normal in the dark.
- Weapon Proficiency (Gnome): Gnomes can use the gnomish hooked hammer without penalty.