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====== Crag Gnomes ======

Crag Gnomes are native to secluded mountain regions. Natural selection and 
forced evolution, along with generations of conflict with hostile neighbors, 
have made them agile and tough, though somewhat brutish. Though they still 
maintain the general stature of their race, untold years ranging across the 
hostile peaks has formed them into a hardy, durable group, able to fend for 
themselves quite deftly, quickly moving along treacherous peaks and across maws 
of jagged rock that would leave many with no option but retreat. The ability to 
range through their domain quickly, strike at their foes, and retreat once again 
to defended positions in the stone labyrinths of their environment has earned an 
unusual nickname among the giants they constantly harass- "Tickandeklippe" or 
"Rock Ticks". It is a name laden with derogatory intent, but is accepted by the 
gnomes themselves readily, as they feel it defines their capacities and 
strengths thoroughly.

Crag Gnomes are somewhat more wiry and muscular than typical gnomes, possibly a 
result of a touch of dwarven misogyny sometime in their far past, likely a 
necessary choice by their distant ancestors in a desperate bid to avoid the 
slow death of their tribe as they fell victim to cold, falls, and slaughter by 
their more ferocious neighbors. They have grayish flesh tones ranging from pale 
to rather dark, as well as dark grey to black hair, typically kept long & 
straight, usually in a single ponytail. This neutral coloring serves them well 
when seeking to avoid attention of their foes, or their prey. Accustomed to 
their chosen climate, they wear limited clothing, and are comfortable in low, 
even sub-freezing, temperatures. 

They have the gnomish sense of joy and amusement, but untold years in hostile 
climes has all but wiped out the "prankster" aspect common in more typical 
gnomes.  Though not terribly intelligent or wise compared to most races, they do 
maintain the gnomish tendency to tinker, and love to do things in new and 
unusual ways.

Crag gnomes commonly wear light armor, if any, and have developed a light form 
of scale mail called 'Dervish Scale' that is uniquely suited to their tastes and 
needs.

Alignments vary, but typically tend towards chaotic good.

Often adept at magic, spontaneous casters are the norm for both arcane and 
divine.

The Crag Gnomes pantheon reflects the Norse pantheon, though they are considered 
to be gnomish in nature, not human.

==== Racial Traits ====
Crag Gnomes possess the following racial traits.
  * +2 con, -2 str +2 dex, -2 int, -2 wis
  * Small size.  +1 bonus on Armor Class, +1 bonus on attack rolls, +4 bonus on Hide checks, -4 penalty on grapple checks, lifting and carrying limits ¾ those of Medium characters.
  * Crag Gnome base land speed is 20 feet.
  * Accelerated Climb Ability: Crag Gnomes take no penalty when moving at half speed while climbing.  In addition, they may perform the "Rapid Climb" and "Combat Climb" maneuvers (//Complete Adventurer, p.97//) with only a -10 penalty (instead of the usual -20).
  * Low-light vision.
  * Weapon familiarity: Crag Gnomes may treat Spiked Chain and Crag Axe as martial weapons rather than exotic weapons.
  * +1 Attack rolls against Giants and Orcs.
  * +4 dodge bonus to Armor Class vs. giants.
  * +2 racial bonus on Jump checks.
  * +2 racial bonus on Climb checks.
  * +2 Hide bonus in rocky or mountainous environments.
  * Favored class - Barbarian.

 ==== The "Finding Time" ====

As a coming-of-age ritual, each crag gnome ventures out into the world, 
traveling as he sees fit until he finds something of merit to bring back to the 
tribe. This can be an item, a skill, or even a class. There is no set period for 
this endeavor. Many never return home. Due to their long life-span and limited 
birth rate, there are few Crag Gnome tribes remaining. This has made the Finding 
Time one of the most important aspects of Crag Gnome culture, with feasts and 
celebrations marking each gnomes' separation from the tribe.

==== Equipment ====

Climbing Knife: 5 gp, 1d2(s), 18-20(x2), 10'R.I., 1/2 lb., piercing. Essentially 
a short metal rod, sharpened to a strong, sharp, three-faced chisel tip. Gives 
+1 circumstance bonus to Climb checks.

Crag Axe: 20 gp, 1d3/1d4(s), 19-20(x2)/20(x2), 2 lbs, piercing or bludgeoning. A 
short-shafted ice axe with a jagged pick blade opposed to a small hammer face, 
which is typically worn with a leather wrist strap.  It takes **some kind of 
action** to wrap, but once so attached, it provides a +4 vs being disarmed.  In 
mountainous and/or icy terrain, the axe can also be used to provide a **+2** 
circumstance bonus to Climb checks.

Dervish Scale: 30 gp,  AC bonus +3, Max Dex +3, Armor check penalty -2, Arcane 
Spell Failure 10%, 30' move, 20 lbs (10 lbs for small) A series of light scale 
plates overlapping in critical areas with light chain for remaining coverage and 
to hold the scales in place. Crag Gnomes utilize this gear with no underlayment, 
maximizing freedom of movement and limiting weight. Small accents in Adamantium 
and Mithril are typically found in Crag Suits, and suits fashioned entirely from 
such materials is not unheard of.

==== Feat ====

Weapon style feat 'Chain Dervish' - Allows a spiked chain to be used as a double 
weapon vs. adjacent foes. Prerequisites: 17 dex, weapon focus (spiked chain), 
weapon finesse.

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