Dwarven forges may produce the armaments of heroes, but Gnomes are the ones that can give it that magic touch. Like their Rock Gnome cousins, Rune Gnomes have a knack for creating but whereas their Rock Gnome cousins focus on the mechanical, the Rune Gnomes focus on the arcane. Many Rune Gnomes carve out careers as enchanters and scholars of the arcane in urban centers while others embark on a life of adventure, using their innate magic and knowledge of runecraft to outwit their foes.

Rune Gnomes

Your heritage as a Rune Gnome grants you the following traits.

Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases by 1.

Fury of the Gwyhyr. Rune Gnomes can form a magical bond through etching runes onto a weapon with the heavy property over the course of one hour, which can be done during a short or long rest. After the runes are etched, attack rolls made with weapons that possess the heavy property no longer impose disadvantage due to your small size. You can only have up to one bonded weapon, and must spend an hour to undo the etchings on your bonded weapon.

Runecrafter. You have proficiency with artisan's tools (Engraver's Tools). Using those tools, you can spend an hour to etch a magical rune onto a weapon, object or set of armor once per long rest. The magical energy of the rune maintains its enchantment for 24 hours before fading away can be activated by the creature bearing the rune using their Bonus Action. Once you etch a rune, you must finish a long rest before you can etch another.

When you etch a rune, choose one of the following options:

Rune of Arcana. The Rune of Arcana is a symbol of might and magic written in old Gnomish that can be etched onto a melee weapon. When you activate this rune, the attacks made by this weapon count as magical for 10 minutes before the enchantment wears off and the rune fades away.

Rune of Protection. The Rune of Protection is a symbol of both swiftness and strength in Old Gnomish that can be etched onto a set of armor. When you activate this rune, the creature bearing the rune has advantage on their next saving throw to avoid the effects of a trap. The rune fades away after the saving throw is made.

Rune of Telekinesis. The Rune of Telekinesis is a symbol of flight and freedom in Old Gnomish that can be etched onto an object weighing 25 pounds or less, including melee weapons with the thrown property. When you activate this rune after throwing the weapon, the item bearing the rune will levitate and fly 30 feet towards you. You may use your bonus action to levitate the weapon towards you after activating the enchantment for up to 10 minutes before the rune fades away.