Deep gnome

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A deep gnome, G, is a type of monster that appears in SLASH'EM, SlashTHEM and Hack'EM. The deep gnome is an always-male monster that will seek out gold and gems to collect among other items, and can tunnel through walls with the aid of a pick-axe or dwarvish mattock. Though deep gnomes are part of the gnome monster class, in SLASH'EM they are not considered gnomish, despite being nearly identical to gnome kings - in SlashTHEM and Hack'EM, they are properly considered gnomish monsters. Deep gnomes share a glyph with the gnoll, G.

A deep gnome has a single weapon attack, and hits as a +1 weapon.

Generation

Deep gnomes may generate as peaceful towards neutral characters, gnomish characters and dwarven characters. They are only randomly generated in Gehennom, though they can also appear on other levels that generate G at level creation if the difficulty is appropriate.

Deep gnomes have a 12 chance of being generated with one of the seven default weapon sets, with an equal probability for each: 3-14 darts, a crossbow and 3-14 crossbow bolts, a bow and 3-14 arrows, a stack of 3-5 daggers, an aklys, a short sword, or a club.[1]

Deep gnomes are eligible for offensive items, defensive items, and miscellaneous items.

Strategy

Characters should keep on guard and far look any G they encounter - it can be dangerous to confuse a gnome warrior with a gnoll.

Encyclopedia entry

Far beneath the surface of the earth dwell the Svirfneblin, or Deep
Gnomes. Small parties of these demihumans roam the Underdark's mazes
of small passageways searching for gemstones. They are said to dwell
in great cities consisting of a closely connected series of tunnels,
buildings, and caverns in which up to a thousand of these diminutive
creatures live. They keep the location of these hidden cities secret
in order to protect them from their deadly foes, the kuo-toa, Drow,
and mind flayers.
Svirfneblin are slightly smaller than rock gnomes, but their thin,
wiry, gnarled frames are just as strong. Their skin is rock-colored,
usually medium brown to brownish gray, and their eyes are gray. Male
svirfneblin are completely bald; female deep gnomes have stringy gray
hair. The average svirfneblin life span is 250 years.

[ The Underdark, by Mike Drees and Albert Foster ]

References