NEW MONSTER: TREE GNOME

GNOME, Tree

FREQUENCY: Very rare

NO. APPEARING: 30-300

ARMOR CLASS: 8 (7)

MOVE: 6”@12”

HIT DICE: 1

% IN LAIR: 50%

TREASURE TYPE: U (jewelry only), V

NO. OF ATTACKS: 1

DAMAGE/ ATTACK: By weapon

SPECIAL ATTACKS: See below

SPECIAL DEFENSES: Save at 4 levels higher

MAGIC RESISTANCE: As above

SAVE: As above

INTELLIGENCE: Very

MORALE: 50%

ALIGNMENT: Lawful good

SIZE: S (2' + tall)

PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil

LEVEL/ X.P. VALUE: I/ 10 + 1/hp

With missile weapon I/ 14 + 1/hp

As with surface gnomes, tree gnomes live in tribes or clans. For every 30 tree gnomes encountered a fighter will be present (roll 1d6, 1-3 = 2nd level, 4-5 = 3rd level, 6 = 4th level). If more than 120 tree gnomes are present there will be in addition one 5th level fighter and one 3rd level fighter acting as champion and assistant. If encountered in their lair, there will be the following additional individuals: 1-6 fighters of 2nd level, 1-4 illusionists of 1st to 5th level, a tree gnome fighter king of 6th level, and young gnomes equal to the number of adults. Female tree gnomes are equal in fighting ability to males and are included in the number appearing. Tree gnomes live in the canopy of temperate to subarctic forests, building small village on platforms made from woven branches and plant fibers.

Tree gnomes normally wear armor made from plant bark. Those with a shield will have armor class 7. They are usually armed as follows:

dagger, wooden shield, and short bow 15%

short sword 15%

dagger, wooden shield, and sling 15%

dagger and wooden shield 35%

club and wooden shield 20%

Because of their small size, tree gnomes must use short swords with both hands. Tree gnomes fighters above 2nd level have a 50% chance of possessing leather armor. Tree gnome illusionists have a 10% chance per level of possessing a personal magic item of the sort usable by their class.

Tree gnomes can speak with birds and animals living in trees (sloths, monkeys, squirrels, koalas, chipmunks, etc.) If giant eagles or giant owls are in the region, the tree gnomes will have friendly relations with these monsters.

Tree gnomes have long prehensile tails, and can shoot missile weapons while hanging from a branch by their tail. They are lighter than even their size would indicate do to their hollow bones, and take half or no damage from a fall, depending on whether they make a saving throw vs paralyzation or not. Because of their tails and experience, they travel as fast in trees as a man does on the ground. Tree gnomes have the same resistance to magic and poison that gnomes do. They can not see in complete darkness below ground, but can see at night as well as a human can see in the day (ultravision). They have no mining skills and cannot craft metals, relying on trade with other demi-humans or humans for any metal goods. They love magic items, but have no use for metal coins.

Description: Tree gnomes have dark brown skin. They have white hair and blue, green, or purple eyes. Tails are tan to yellow-brown and furred. Tree gnomes prefer green or blue clothing.