Page 108 - Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes Deluxe

rock gnome inventors jabbering at near unintelligible These inventors are rarely reluctant to try making
speed about their latest ideas, and the hubbub is occa- devices of exceptional power, even if one might not work
sionally punctuated by a big bang or the abrupt collapse at first the way it was intended to. The gnomes know
of some unstable contraption. that it's always possible for someone else to learn from
To rock gnomes, life is a combination of scavenger an inventor's mistakes, so even a failed experiment is
hunts and periods of bold experimentation. First they a success in some way. Every minor explosion or other
mine materials from within the earth, and then they incident of turmoil in a rock gnome burrow serves as a
figure out what they can create or invent using those re- clue about what not to do next time- unless, of course,
sources. The discovery of a new vein of metal-whether the goal was to make something explode.
tin, copper, silver, or gold-makes rock gnomes clap
their hands with glee, but they are happiest of all when FOR BEAUTY'S SAKE
they find a cache of gems, particularly diamonds. Imagination runs wild in the mind of a gnome. Any fresh
Individual rock gnomes have different ideas about idea can be the starting point for a new journey of ex-
what sorts of inventions are the most satisfying to cre-
ate, with some favoring practicality and others more CELESTIAL TOYMAKERS
interested in artistic expression. In each group, there A handful of master artificers exist among the rock
are those who prefer to practice the alchemical arts and gnomes who take the magic of their craft to new heights.
those whose talents lean toward the creation of mechan- These legendary gnomes usually reside in Bytopia and on
ical devices. Every warren has members of each persua- other planes far from the Material Plane, locales where
they can access and harness powerful energies. They have
sion, and they are all bound by mutual respect for what
unlocked secrets of the multiverse that enable them to
they do despite their different perspectives.
fashion mind-boggling creations-their so-called "celes·
tial toys."
PRACTICAL MAKES PERFECT These master artificers are friendly to those who seek
Rock gnomes who take a more scientific approach to them out. They enjoy showing off their works and take
inventing are the ones responsible for creating techno- great glee in watching visitors interact with their toys,
logical devices that make life easier. Even an invention while they scribble notes on how to refine their creations.
as simple as a new kind of rake is celebrated, and that Celestial toys can do just about anything. Many of these
advance might later be superseded by someone who objects have properties not unlike those of wondrous
modifies it in a way that makes it more efficient or more items, such as a toy that can increase an ability score or
one that can show happenings on other planes.
enjoyable to use.

C HAPTER 5 I HALFLJNGS AND CNOMP.S
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