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Svirfneblin below, on left

Hidden in the depths of the Underdark live the Svirfneblin, or Deep Gnomes. Reclusive, suspicious, and resentful of intrusion into their cavern homes, the deep gnomes share little of the humor or openness of their surface cousins. The deep gnomes may be the world's stealthiest and most elusive folk. Centuries upon centuries of surviving the deadly perils of the Underdark have bred in this race an amazing gift for avoiding attention.

Ability adjustment

-2 Strength, +2 Dexterity, +2 Wisdom, -4 Charisma

Racial features

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Level adjustment: +2. Deep gnomes are more powerful and gain levels more slowly than other races. It will take much more experience for a deep gnome to reach level 2 than it would for normal races, for example.

Size: Small -- As a Small creature, a gnome gains a +1 size bonus to Armor Class, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, and a +4 size bonus on Hide checks, but he uses smaller weapons than humans use.

Favored class: Rogue. A multiclass gnome's rogue class does not count when determining whether he takes an XP penalty for multiclassing.