Gnomes

Gnomes are a fascinating people, as anyone who has interacted with them can tell you. They are magickal beings, usually no more than 3 to 4 feet in height, and often live to be 200 years old. Gnomes are often thought to be surly and disagreeable, but those who have had substantial contact report that this is a misperception; in fact, gnomes are nocturnal and generally avoid strong sunlight, as it makes them headachy and bleary-eyed. At night, gnomes are chipper and friendly, but all too often diurnal humans meet the acquaintance of grumpy, napping gnomes in the light of day.

Gnomes live in the closer regions of the Erkenheld forest, generally preferring the rolling terrain coming from the Fethil to the more mountainous interior. In comparison to most other sentient beings, gnomish society is fairly primitive. A gnomish settlement is comprised of several round huts which house an extended family of around 20 or so gnomes. Three to four generations are often represented, along with second degree relatives such as aunts and uncles. Gnomes, who speak a curious language full of bouncy vowels, generally keep to their family groups and forge loose alliances with nearby gnome clans for trade. Clans are differentiated by the groves of trees their family lives near, and these groves have been given common names, like the Pines in a Circle of Stones or the Elms Riddled with Sprites, that distinguish them and their associated clans from one another.

Occasionally, typically on the spring and autumn equinoxes, all the gnomes in an area will come together for a big festival which spans several days. Gnomish ale, a strong an fortifying drink, flows freely at these events. The ale of gnomes is considered a delicacy by virtually all races.

Gnomes and the Other Races
The gnomes of the Erkenheld are known to have good relations with the elves and centaurs. It is not particularly warm or friendly, but much trading of goods and information does occur, leading one to the conclusion that gnomes are a well-connected if somewhat unsociable species. Humans and gnomes do not generally interact except in some areas of the province Perejin, which extends a great deal into Elothnin. Here, there is trade with gnomes, and the goods that enter Elothnin in this was are valued highly in the central regions of the country.

Tension between gnomes and humans has racheted up in recent years, due to the Queen's war on the borderlands. Initially, the gnomes did not enter the war between the races, believing it to be the purview of the elves, centaurs and humans. As the war progressed, the gnomes were provoked and allied themselves with the Rebel Forces. Gnomes do act as soldiers in desperate times, but more often they supply weapons and intelligence to the army through their peculiar magical abilities.

The Magic of Gnomes
Some magickal theorists have argued that gnomes possess more innate magic than elves, but less than mages, though this is a point of contention. It is generally accepted, though, that gnomes display a broader range of abilities than elves, who tend to be competent in most magical areas and extraordinary in only one or two. Gnomish magic is tied very closely to the natural world, and rarely does a gnome prove to be proficient in the social graces and glamours that are associated with red elves.

The two areas where the magic of gnomes is at its best are woodworking and interaction with the flora and fauna of the forest. Gnomes produce incredible objects with wood, pieces of immense beauty and strength, by whittling in a zen-like state. Their weapons, staves, bows, and shields, are especially formidable. Gnomes have described the process as something akin to asking the wood what it wants to become and letting the wood shape itself thusly through the gnomes hands. This is a difficult state to achieve, and young gnome must train with masters in order to hone their skills. Several famous woodworkers, including Nadras of the Elms Riddle with Sprites, live with and produce weapons for the Rebel Forces, much to the chagrin of the Imperial Army.

Similarly to their ability to communicate with wood, gnomes are able to converse with animals and plants. This simple act of talking with flora and fauna seems much simpler and less strenuous on gnomes than the trick of letting other creatures act through their bodies. Not much is known of the mechanics of this magic, but it has given the gnomes that ability to see almost omniscient to others. Many have speculated that gnomes in various sections of the Rebel Forces have begun sending messages via birds to each other, which partially explains the better-integrated nature now present in the army.

See Also
The Race of Elothnin
Homchi
Gilflesh
Narchlar