Gnome

Gnomes are an intelligent Devilhuman race found on the continent of Halvmen.

They are particularly notable for their knowledge of craftsmanship and forging. In the impoverished region of Halvmen where César currently lives, Gnomes are the only known race capable of properly producing forged weapons and tools.

Overview

Gnomes are a small humanoid Devilhuman race with a natural cultural association with craftsmanship and forging.

Their ability to create reliable tools and weapons makes them exceptionally valuable within the underdeveloped region currently inhabited by César.

Despite this local importance, the Gnomes of this region are not considered exceptional by the standards of the most advanced civilizations of the world.

Their current forging capabilities remain within the Novice rank, the highest level attainable through conventional forging without a Mana-based forging system.

Classification

Gnomes belong to the broader racial classification known as Devilhumans.

They are distinct from Demihumans, Semihumans, Beastkin, Humans, and other major racial groups.

Appearance

Gnomes possess small humanoid bodies and distinctive pointed ears.

Their compact stature does not prevent them from developing sturdy physiques, particularly among individuals accustomed to physically demanding professions such as forging and metalworking.

Male Gnomes

Male Gnomes can possess broad, powerful builds despite their short stature.

The official racial illustration depicts a heavily built male blacksmith with a large beard, demonstrating the robust physique that members of the race can develop through demanding physical work.

Beard color, hairstyle, and other individual characteristics vary between Gnomes and should not be considered universal racial traits.

Female Gnomes

Female Gnomes possess a more slender humanoid appearance while retaining the small stature and pointed ears characteristic of the race.

Like males, they are capable of participating in craftsmanship and forging.

Craftsmanship

Forging is the most notable skill associated with the Gnomes encountered in César's region.

Other local races may create primitive implements or make use of existing equipment, but Gnomes possess the knowledge required to consistently forge proper tools and weapons.

This makes even ordinary Gnome craftsmanship extremely valuable in a region where developed metalworking is otherwise unavailable.

Novice Forging

The Gnomes currently known to César are limited to Novice-rank forging.

Novice represents the highest level that conventional mortal craftsmanship can reach without the use of a proper Mana-based forging system.

This does not mean that all Novice equipment possesses identical quality.

A highly skilled blacksmith can produce an extraordinary weapon within the Novice rank, vastly superior to the work of an inexperienced smith. However, regardless of craftsmanship, the resulting equipment remains fundamentally a mortal weapon.

Mundane skill alone cannot elevate an item from Novice to Bronze.

The Bronze Barrier

Bronze marks the beginning of true Mana-based equipment.

Crossing from Novice into Bronze requires more than superior materials or conventional blacksmithing talent. A smith must possess access to the appropriate Mana-based forging system and the knowledge required to use it.

Consequently, even an exceptional Novice weapon remains fundamentally inferior in rank to a genuine Bronze weapon.

The Gnomes of César's region currently lack the system necessary to cross this barrier.

Equipment Ranks

Forged equipment can be classified according to a hierarchy that extends far beyond the capabilities currently available in César's region.

Advanced Forging

The advanced forging traditions represented by the higher equipment ranks are not widespread throughout Halvmen.

The great centers of developed Mana-based forging are associated primarily with Muxuu, the Human continent, and the Sacred Continent.

Compared with those civilizations, the Gnomes encountered in César's region possess only the foundations of true blacksmithing.

Regional Importance

César currently inhabits an impoverished and underdeveloped region of Halvmen, far removed from the continent's greatest powers.

Within this environment, the ability of Gnomes to forge even Novice-rank equipment provides an enormous practical advantage.

However, their limitation to mortal equipment also helps explain why these Gnomes have not become a major strategic resource sought after by the powerful races and factions deeper within the continent.

What is exceptional within César's region is not necessarily exceptional by the standards of the wider world.

Mana

Like nearly all living beings, Gnomes naturally possess Mana.

Naturally possessing Mana, however, is different from possessing a developed Mana system or knowing how to apply Mana to specialized disciplines such as forging.

The inability of the local Gnomes to forge Bronze-rank equipment is therefore not simply a lack of craftsmanship. They lack the Mana-based forging system required to progress beyond conventional mortal equipment.

Known Gnomes

Known individual Gnomes will be added as they are introduced and their information becomes available.

Trivia

• Gnomes are classified as Devilhumans.
• They are the only known race capable of proper forging in César's current region.
• The local Gnomes are currently limited to Novice-rank equipment.
• Novice is the highest forging rank achievable without a Mana-based forging system.
• An exceptionally well-made Novice weapon remains a mortal weapon.
• Bronze represents the first true Mana-based equipment rank.
• Legend is the highest equipment rank that mortals can normally forge.
• Champion equipment is associated exclusively with Heroes and is said to be a gift of the Gods.
• Divine equipment is associated with the Gods and remains poorly understood by mortals.

Gallery

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