@part(gnomes, root="/mit/abstract/Dave/frp/F_H/Races/sentients")
@section(Gnomes)

  Gnomes are small humanoids, averaging 3', 90#.  Their hair and skin
colorations are similar to those of humans, their eyes tend to black or
grey.  They are commonly found in mountainous areas, either on the surface
or in near-surface caves.  They tend to form small nomadic tribal units;
tribes of more than twenty gnomes are rare, and small groups of four or
five are not uncommon.  The turnover rate among gnomish tribes is high,
however.

  Gnomes mature sexually between 75 and 80 months, emotionally/physically
at 160 months, and die between the ages of 65 and 70.  This metabolic
precision is unexplained, but is related to the absolute chronological
sense all gnomes possess.  Gnomes do not display sexual dimorphism; males
and females are both equipped for suckling young, and gnomish genitalia are
retractile... in short, male and female gnomes are nearly indistinguishable.

  Of all the mortal races, the gnomes are the most adept at mathematical
and spatial manipulations, and they are thought to be the most naturally
intelligent of the humanoid races.  Even gnomes raised among other cultures
are natural tinkerers, and have been known to drive entire villages wild
with their toys.  They possess slightly substandard magical potential, and
slightly above-standard psionic potential.