Benaedresha Racial Template - GURPS Krunch

[Snargash Moonclaw]

The Benaedresha display a mixture of traits derived from their dwarven and halfling forebears which have developed into a characteristics, both physical and cultural, unique to their race. Of all the Burrowing Peoples they have the keenest vision under virtually all conditions. This has however come with a marked reduction in the range of their peripheral vision. Their hearing, though not as sharp as that of halflings, is better than that of most other race as well. They are likewise very quiet in their movements. While not as well developed as the spatial awareness of dwarves, they still have an excellent inherent sense of direction which has served them well in their explorations and navigation across the world's surface. They have also inherited some of the astounding dwarven constitution and can consume without harm much dwarven fare (including intoxicants) which would make others ill. Although they get drunk as readily as anyone else, they further metabolize alcohol readily enough to feel no after-effects from overindulgence.

The instinctual drive of all the Burrowing Peoples to form social colonies is strongest among gnomes. This, coupled with an innate curiosity and their historical role among those races as merchants and ambassadors manifests in a greater openness to other races and cultures along with an unusually high degree of adaptability to them. Gnomes are commonly found living among nearly all other races and remain the premier mercantile force across the planet. Any social interactions are colored by their cultural value of 'fair dealing.' This well known trait has garnered their race a universal reputation for fairness which makes them a bit more welcome among other races than most.

While it would be a gross exaggeration to portray them as exclusively merchants (even if this category were broadened to include craftsmen among the many trades in which the race excels,) their intense sense of fairness manifests in a noticeable cultural awareness of perceived value '" whether goods, services or other general exchanges. By way of example, a gnome with no training in business skills among a party dealing with the markets and shops of a new town is a little more likely to notice patterns in variations of price from other areas they've been in. While most will notice that certain things cost more or less, gnomes develop a knack for seeing this in broader terms and grasping some of its implications. T

Some clans do display some different social traits from the norm. The most common (perhaps 15-20%), widespread and well-known subgroup are those commonly referred to as Shadow Gnomes. The fundamental difference is that they realize all too well that other races do not share their sense of (and commitment to) fairness. Less outgoing, and somewhat suspicious of other races they are much less open to them and behave somewhat secretively. (It is believed that these clans also have more halfling blood than most others.)

Benaedresha Template [20]
*: Does not apply to Shadow Gnomes
$: Only applies to Shadow Gnomes

Attributes: [-10]
ST -1 [-10]
SM -2

Advantages [*95/$85]
Absolute Direction [5]
Acute Hearing 2 [4]
Hyperspectral Vision [25]
Microscopic Vision 1 [5]
High Manual Dexterity [5]
Resistant (Ingested Poison, +8 to HT rolls) [5]
Silence *1/$2 [*5/$10]
Reputation (Fairness; Universal, Constant; +1 reaction) [5]
*/$ Xeno/Cultural-Adaptability [*20/$10]
* Talent: Business Acumen [10]
$ Talent: Close Operator (see notes) [5]

Perks: [1]
No Hangover

Disadvantages [*70/$60]
No Peripheral Vision [-15]
*/$ * Gregarious/$ Chummy [*-10/$-5]
*/$ Code of Honor (fair dealing: * universal/$ other gnomes) [*-10/-5]
*/$ Sense of Duty (*family/clan) [*-5/$-10]
* Xeno-philia (SCR vs 15) [-5]
Curiosity [-5]
Gluttony [-5]
Miserliness (when getting an unfair deal) [-5]

$ Talent: Close Operator
+1 to
Detect Lies
Holdout
Observation
Shadowing
Stealth
Reaction Bonus: Those who make a regular practice of suspicion and secrecy, e.g., thieves and spies, many halflings