Gnomes are a widespread mythical species known in many areas across the world. There are numerous names used for them other than gnomes such as Mano (Hungary), Nissen (Sweden) and even Erdmanleins (Germany) but all result in the similar definition of “little men”. 

Your typical gnome is about 15 cm in height but in some folklore they have been noted to be up to 30 cm. The gnome’s feet are pigeon-toed which gives them an extra advantage for speed when maneuvering around the forests.

Male gnomes generally weigh about 300 grams where the females are slightly lighter. You will recognize a gnome not only by its short stature and pigeon-toes but moreso by its pale skin and overly rosy cheeks.

Your female gnome will most often always be wearing gray and khaki skirts which reach her ankles and a blouse buttoning up the front. On her legs she will don knee high gray stockings and high slippers or shoes. Before she is married, the female will have her long hair in braids beneath a green cap.

Following marriage, her hair will be hidden beneath a scarf and the green toned hat will be exchanged for a hat in more drab colors matching the rest of her attire.

Your male gnome is the more common and is found most often to be wearing wooden clogs, a peaked red hat, earth toned pants and may occasionally trade the wooden clogs in for birch shoes or felt boots.

Around his waist, the male will carry a tool belt equipped with a knife, hammer and any other accessories that would become necessary in the world of a gnome. Their pale faces are covered with long (quite often grey) beards.

Now, not all gnomes fall into an average category, like most there are different types. First off, the forest gnome is the most common and the least seen by mankind. Garden gnomes tend to make their home in old gardens and spend much time telling tales.

Dune gnomes are of the larger variety and chose much drabber clothing than their fellow gnomes. House gnomes are most fluent in human speech and know the most about mankind. Farm gnomes resemble house gnomes but are more conservatively dressed.

Gnomes are said to live in trees most often three, with one being the actual house, attached by tunnel to a storage tree and then a third as a secret enterance. Gnomes live mainly on mushrooms, peas, beans and other vegetation.

The gnome never consumes meat or flesh of any sort. Occasionaly the gnome will also drink a lot of fermented fruits such as rasberries and honey which also have a high alcohol content. 

Gnomes are generally harmless creatures who strive to protect animals and guard them with their aversion of cats of course. All of the animals in the forest and surrounding areas are the gnomes friends for which they feel responsible for.

Gnomes have a hindsight for finding injured or captured animals and freeing them. Especially those captured by farmers who are negligent or too poor to take the animal to the vets. Gnomes are roughly seven times stronger than the average man and can run to speeds up to thirty-five miles per hour.

Their eye sight is similar to that of a hawk making their job of finding hurt or  injured animals quite simply a breeze but despite these abilities they still have enemies (other than cats) like trolls and anyone who tries to injure them or their homes.