The Touched

Written by Pookas Kreations

The touched can be differentiated from common gnomes by their heterochromia eyes and their black hair. Their skin has a washed-out look, often looking bleached or translucent. Their differences are hard to hide even magic won’t cover them up. Illusions won’t hide it. Mage sight shows that they have a sickly glow.

Most people don’t like to be around them, even others of their own kind. They are often loaners, and hermits, that live in caves, tunnels, or lonely towers. If discovered in a city, they are often driven out, stoned, or outright killed. They are considered bad luck or jinxed beings and they are blamed for failed crops Droughts and animal deaths.

Gnomes are an ancient race, some think that they are a subrace of Fae, while others believe them to be an offshoot of the Astralus. They believe that their original race was corrupted by the wild magic of the The Chaos Wars. It is hard to know for sure because many that were alive then are now dead. They blame the Atlantean for all the damage they have done and for their selfishness. The Atlanteans as well as many other nations tread the Touched as leprosy.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Gnomes speak sylvan and common. Other languages depend on their neighbors often elven, Atlantean or others can be learned.

Culture and cultural heritage

They have a racial memory of the Fae wild and are constantly trying to return, but have been barred from returning because of the corruption they endured.

Shared customary codes and values

Treat others as you wish to be treated, follow the law, be courteous to each other, don't cheat anyone in business.

Common Etiquette rules

Be kind, courteous, generous, and honorable.

Common Dress code

They mostly wear utilitarian clothes, except on special occasions like feast days.

Art & Architecture

Their art is mostly of natural landscapes, and their architecture is meant to fit into the land and not to stand out from it.

Foods & Cuisine

They prefer well-made but simple fair, good seasoning, sometimes a little hot.

Funerary and Memorial customs

Gnomes don't care about the body after it dies as the spirit/soul is no longer there. They have memorial celebrations, but then they let go of the dead.

Ideals

Gender Ideals

There is little difference between male and female gnomes, except that relating to their sex. Their size and strength are so close as not to matter. Young are born active and full of color and vitality.

Courtship Ideals

Most marriages are arranged, but they are encouraged to court others on group dates, parties, and balls to get to know others their own age.

Relationship Ideals

They are expected to honor and help each other in all that they do. Thildren are raised by the community in creches while the parents are at work during the day, but the parents are meant to have an active role in their children's lives.

Parent ethnicities

• The Touched

Diverged ethnicities

• Sky Dancers*
• The Touched

Related Items

• Blowgun

Related Myths

• Death of Urtho: Believe it or not

Related Locations

• Aquatica
• Atlantia Continent
• Avalonia
• Sylvania