Gnome
This article is about the gnomish race as a whole. For the attackable monster, see gnome (monster).
Gnomes are one of the most concentrated races, other than humans. Not only do the gnomes have their own empire, but they also have their own foods, clothes, transportation, quests, and even semi-popular Activities called Gnome Ball and the Gnome Restaurant. The Gnome race is primarily located in Kandarin.
Gnomes: the people
Gnomes are much like in real-world folklore. They appear as short men, women, and children, about two to three feet tall (about 0.6 to 1 meters). The gnomes are very human-like, and they often dress in green tunics and trousers, with red or green pointed hats. In many ways, they appear similar to dwarves, although unlike dwarves they rarely have facial hair and have pointed ears similar to the elves.
Gnomes are often regarded as more intelligent than most other races, and have a higher standard of living. Gnomes generally love nature, making their homes in treetops and living in heavily wooded forests. Despite their usually peaceful nature, gnomes are well-trained militarily, capable of overwhelming most armies through sheer numbers. They mount prehistoric terrorbirds and battle tortoises in conflict to make up for their small size. Using magic, they have unique illusionary, stealth, Guthixian, and spiritual magic using hybrid Elven/Gnome machinery or meditation to amplify it. Most Gnomes, even civilians, carry bows, and some carry metal weaponry in combat.
Gnomes are a highly diplomatic race, holding alliances with many other mortal races, both in and outside Kandarin. In many large cities and unexplored areas, gnome ambassadors, researchers, or explorers can often be found attempting to increase their knowledge of the world. Gnomes are unique culturally, they love cooking, music, animals and inventing new things. They are also infamous pranksters and are well known for their own sport, Gnome Ball.
Gnomes are perhaps the most technologically advanced race, rivalled only by the dwarves. One of their most notable invention is the gnome glider, an aerial transport system used both in combat and peace. Also of note is the gnomecopter (which was removed as of 25 March 2009), a small one-man flying machine used to give tours to free-to-play players. Other technological innovations include their ballistic military devices, their invention of the parachute, and their knowledge of elven crystal equipment.
Many believe the gnomes follow the god of balance, Guthix. There is much evidence to support this; gnomish mages generally use Claws of Guthix in combat, Hazelmere mentions his loyalty to Guthix, Hudo shouting "Great Guthix!" when showing him giant frog legs, Professor Arblenap commenting that the Dwarven Power Station is "not Guthix", Gnome Children may recite a prayer to Guthix when spoken to, and the player mentions at one point that they thought Guthix created the gnomes and dwarves as the first races. Additionally, the Battle mages who are aligned with Guthix are gnomes. Guthix himself, in the God Letters, has expressed deep fondness for the Gnomes. And as shown in Armies of Gielinor, Gnomes fought for Guthix in the God Wars.
According to Saradomin, "As I understand it, the gnomes speak their own tongue, yet are also fluent in the common language used by humans within the world, allowing communication to be made between the races." Their own tongue is called Old Gnomish.
History of gnomes
In the Second Age, gnomes dwelt on Gielinor with dwarves, elves and humans. They built great and powerful cities, and many technologies from that period cannot be reproduced today, even with all their wisdom and intelligence. They mainly settled on the area where they are located now, but were much more widespread. Elves also taught them the magic crystal technology.
During the God Wars, gnomes did not fight in the wars, they just sent some forces to the main army of Guthix. The rest fled below the surface like the dwarves.
Unlike the dwarves however, the gnomes returned to the surface right at the beginning of the Fourth Age during the Great Migration to find their city, the Tree Gnome Stronghold, in ruins. They decided to start again, and have been very successful at it, beginning with the planting of the Grand Tree. During the years approximately 200-500 of the Fourth age however, gnomes were hunted by barbaric human tribes, and retreated to smaller settlements, such as the Tree Gnome Village. After humans started to settle down, they rebuilt the Grand Tree area. About the early-mid Fourth Age, gnomes had to fight over land with goblin tribes who were driven out from Feldip Hills by ogres and seeking a new place to settle. Eventually, with the help of Glouphrie's illusion tricks, they managed to scare goblins even further north.
They still thrive today, as the humans are generally more civilized towards them now, with the exception of those under the command of General Khazard.
Gnome monsters
There are 2 non-humanoid domesticated creatures who fight along side the Gnome, those are the Tortoise and the Terrorbird (and the younger version, the Terrorchick gnome). It is common to see gnomes mounted upon these creatures. Before a recent update, a very rare glitch would occasionally cause the Terrorbird to walk while its gnome rider stayed behind in mid-air.
Gnomes themselves are quite a low level, and its common to see them below level 5. These low level gnomes can be stolen from at level 75 Thieving, giving 198.5 experience and one of several items.
Gnome cities
The Gnomes only have 2 cities in total. Those being the Tree Gnome Stronghold and Tree Gnome Village.
Additionally, the gnomish city of Arposandra is believed to be hidden beneath the Poison Wastes of Tirannwn. However, the gnomes of Arposandra are much different than most, and are believed to follow the chaos god Zamorak.
Gnome cooking
The Gnomes have a very sophisticated sense of taste and so they make and eat gourmet foods and cocktails. With a bit of training, the player can also make Gnomish food and drinks. The ingredients for these foods can be purchased from Hudo, Heckel Funch, or looted from gnomes using the Thieving skill.
Gnome Clothing
Gnome clothing such as Gnome goggles and Gnome scarf more can be found in the clothing store in the Grand Tree, which can be found on the Second floor, in Rometti's Fine Fashions, which is sold by Rometti.
Transportation
The Gnomes have a few different types of transportation available to humans. One method is to the Spirit Tree (Requirement: Tree gnome Village quest) and another being the Gnome Glider (Requirement: The Grand Tree quest). Both are for members only, though some can be found in non-member areas. For both methods of transportation the player must have completed a number of quests to fully take use of them. A much less commonly used method involves launching or squishing a Grand seed pod, a possible reward from the Gnome Restaurant activity.
Notable gnomes
- King Narnode Shareen - King of the Tree Gnome Stronghold
- King Healthorg - Greatest King of the Tree Gnome Stronghold (deceased)
- Glouphrie - Gnome illusionist from the Fourth Age
- Glough - Ex-High Guardian of the Grand Tree
- Oaknock - Master Engineer (deceased)
- Hazelmere - Last of the ancient gnomes
- King Bolren - King of the Tree Gnome Village
- Glouck - Current ruler of Arposandra
- Sergeant Garkor - Leader of the 10th Squad of the Royal Guard
- Commander Montai - Commander of the gnome troops at the Battlefield of Khazard
- Lieutenant Schepbur - Commander of the Armoured Tortoise Regiment
- Daero - High Tree Guardian
- Glophren - Champion of the Gnomes
Champions' challenge
Gnomes are one of the 'races' who have a champion of champions in the Champions' Challenge Distraction and Diversion. To fight Glophren, the gnome Champion, the player must defeat the 13 lesser champions and the human champion of champions.
Trivia
- Before the graphical update, the only gnomes with updated chat heads were Laidee Gnonock, Elnock Inquisitor, Yaktwee Swinmari Cianta, and Hazelmere.
- Gnomes fighting in the never-ending war against Khazard's troops will occasionally poke fun at their enemies, such as shouting "Tally Ho".
- Gnomes in RuneScape Classic were green skinned.
- Gnomes resemble J.R.R. Tolkien's Hobbits quite a bit. Both gnomes and hobbits are small compared to other human beings and are fond of cooking and eating. Another resemblance is the house of Brimstail, who lives in an underground house, which looks like a hill on the outside. Hobbits tend to live in the exact same sort of 'buildings'.
- Upon their graphical update on 9 February 2011, the gnomes were given blinking eyes and mouths that open and close.