Uppergelf
"Have you ever wondered what happened, when you are wandering through a forest and then, all of a sudden you realize that you can't recall the last half hour and how you got to the point you are standing at?" "uhm... yes... it is a pretty common phenomenon. we learned about this during the meditation sessions. The human mind dissociates from routine tasks if there is no present threat, and...." "What...??? No dumbo! You just passed through a Gelf village..."
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
The naming Traditions of Uppergelf differ quite significantly from the long and drawn out namelists which the Undergelf create. Uppergelf like short (as they call it: crisp) names which stay in mind, not by their complexity but by the virtues of those who bear it. Most Uppergelf first name are thus monosyllabic with but a few exceptions. Female names however tend to be slightly longer than male.
Female Uppergelf Given Names (Examples)
Ino, Efa, Init, Chaila, Lenka, Draste, Jynn, Hauru, Goa, Teela, Weel, Arna, Seri, Kia, Tia, Olda, Gappa, Fanna, Guntha, Poklet, loprek, Myrka, Vertan, Liso, Hilgi, Lanti, Lesti, Voni, Kalla, His, Kek,Masculine names
The naming traditions of Uppergelf differ quite significantly from the long and drawn out namelists which the Undergelf create. Uppergelf like short (as they call it: crisp) names which stay in mind, not by their complexity but by the virtues of those who bear it. Most male uppergelf first name are thus monosyllabic with but a few exceptions.
Male Uppergelf Given Names(Examples)
Cym, Lok, Dain, Keg, Drov, Moks, Arkk, Her, Snirr, Velchok, Grohl, Len, Ren, Davv, Ceer, Hon, Rey, Cynn, Chai, Dabo, Anto. Rok, Ku, Jak, Sunn, Gon, Distal, Nopragg, Patmek, Kanki, Kupu, Lado, Kamp.Family names
Uppergelf do not have familynames like Undergelf and their given names are usually followed by the Clan Name. Name collisions are resolved by either adding location or job descriptors to distinguish between the respective gelf, the concept of a family name is all but unknown. The name of the Clan is more often than not the name of the founder of a specifc uppergelf settlement.
Uppergelf Clan Names
Rowuk, Tallak, Valda, Kechik, Albrin, Gotan, Naktak, Ulshim, Hairok, Leduk, Firmisk, Ja-Shini, Talv, Muldo, Noa-tim, Ikkiba, Lakuit.Male Uppergelf Name Examples:
Cynn of the Forestglade of Clan NoatimFemale Uppergelf Name Examples:
Draste the Weaver of the Clan KechikCulture
Major language groups and dialects
Uppergelf (East) or Uppergelf (West)
Both languages differ greatly, and are spoken by gelf in the east and west of the inner sea respectively. Although... due to the relative loose connection between tribes (one gotta find them first), the dialects among both languages are so strong that it takes a few weeks to understand them fully, even if you speak the language.
Both languages differ greatly, and are spoken by gelf in the east and west of the inner sea respectively. Although... due to the relative loose connection between tribes (one gotta find them first), the dialects among both languages are so strong that it takes a few weeks to understand them fully, even if you speak the language.
Culture and cultural heritage
"So... can you find them?"Uppergelf live in a tribal culture, with a chieftain and a council of elders deciding the questions which affect the whole tribe. Just like wolven they never created a state and never aspired to. Which would be hard to do anyway, as they would first have to find each other first.
"What... just because I "kinda look like them??" Not all gelf know each other aye? They are hiding from me too. Also they are Uppergelf. I was born in a shaft 300 meter below the Dragon Stones... i might need some time okay? Also i might need a lense of true seeing... If you happen to know where to get one."
Their cultural heritage is more one of spoken legends, as they use scripture for mundane tasks, but leave it to their elders and storytellers to keep the legends of the past, which are often retold during the festivities, supported and underscored by illusions in something that resembles a puppet theatre with illusions instead of puppets.
Shared customary codes and values
Family Bonds
Like most gelf they value family bonds and bonds of friendship, They are also always aware that, if a gelf is on his own, he or his works could become easy prey to a gremlinThere are multiple festivities over the year which do nothing but celebrate the gelf companionship, designed to strengthen the bond and connection.
Secrecy
At the same time most uppergelf are very secretive, a trait which has protected them over the ages. The mistrust against the "Other" as they call the humans is prevalent. And although elves or Onauru as the uppergelf call them, enjoy a bit more trust, the gelf are still careful to reveal themselves to them. After all it could be the the elf might just be a humanized Eadun elf.Many but not all) uppergelf, from warrior to elder, share a knack for the illusion magic, and most have at least one illusion spell at their disposal. Those who don't are seen as handicapped, but the gelfling sense of community sees to it, that they are included in the ritual renewals of the illusions which protect the settlement. And be it just as support for those who manipulate the Fae to weave the illusions.
Because these illusions are a true work of art, and thus hard to dispell and even harder to see through, revealing an uppergelf settlement is either done with the explicit and unilateral consent of the chieftain and elders, or not at all. Revealing it to outsiders otherwise, by accident or on purpose is taboo, and comes with the punishement of exile for the respective uppergelf (see below). Involuntarily uncovered settlements are tore down, often overnight if possible, leaving little to no trace of their former presence, are are to be rebuilt at another secret place.
Not all gelf settlements are hidden however, even though most are. Once revealed to the world after an unilateral decision of elders and chieftain, if the local situation has proven so beneficial for the settlement, that the uppergelf decided to keep it this way, these settlements remain "open". Most of these "open" settlements can be found in Culmeria, Aesgard, Oskraja, Caldaven or Aquira, but they are still rare.
Connection to the First world
Many Uppergelf have a strong connection to what they call "the First World", a specific fae world that, as they say, kept the form of the world before the Others (the Humans) came, and which now lies past the the Counterrealm.Once a gelf dies, he (or she) becomes untethered to the mortal world, and transfers its consciouness / soul into the Fae, which is then free to roam and pass through the counterrealm into this "First world" which has thus become the equivalent of the Uppergelf heave.. Be that as it may be, some of the Uppergelf, mostly very powerful uppergelf druids and shamans, but even some mundane uppergelf have even developed the ability to go there while still being alive, and they are deeply revered by the uppergelf.
Uppergelf Religion
Uppergelf believe that, once a gelf passes on, it becomes part of the Fae and, unbound by a mortal shell, lives on in the Fae as a spirit. Free of the physical form it can strive through the counterrealm now and further to visit the First world even, but also can be called upon for support or council by the living gelf.Because of the disjointed nature of Uppergelf tribes almost every tribe has a different set of believes and superstitions in regard to calling upon the help of these "Elders", athough the traditions remind strongly at the Goblin Vodun, at least superficially. The revered spirits are not a set of centralized Ghola, like with the goblins, but dead ancestors of course.
Art & Architecture
Uppergelf tend to live in small hidden settlements, which rarely grow beyond 30 houses, as protecting them with illusions would become so much harder then.
Uppergelf often use their talent with regard to Illusions to create short lived artworks of astonishing beauty, which are however meant to fade. Usually these artworks are presented among real artworks, however at a specific time it is revealed that the artworks were never real to begin with. Observers who had found pleasure in these artworks are then encouraged to remember them until they can create a relatively good copy. Gelf then say that the artwork has put roots in the mind of the observer, and it has thus fulfilled it's purpose.
Uppergelf achitecture, much like the architecture of the Sitha, employs wooden elements which are often grown rather than built with druidic techniques and the uppergelfs inborn knack for nature magic. The gelf have mastered masonry and artisanship however, and gelfling doors are often artful blends of their hands work meeting the natural environment, even though stone is not necessarily a part of them.
Uppergelf homes are usually found inside large trees, or hills, but, artful as they they may be, the doors are mostly covered by illusions, hence they are hard to spot, except if one were invited or knows where to look.
This has, with the Culmerians and some Aes, led to the belief in Fairy hills from which the "fairies" come, connecting the myth with the myths of the Fairy nature of the respective Danu-kin or the Nornfolk Eadun.
The natural knack of uppergelf to travel back and forth between the Fae realm of "First world" (as they call it), and Ardu has even strengthened this belief among the humans, and the humans argue that the "First world" is the place where the Gelf originally came from.
Most uppergelf call this belief superstition. They agree with the norn of all people and argue that once the planet was full of Onauru Trees, and that the "First world" is a reflection of how it should be. If adressed about the superstition, they claim that none of their mothers could recall giving birth to their babies in the Fae realm, so whoever argues that should "shut the vhach up".
Uppergelf often use their talent with regard to Illusions to create short lived artworks of astonishing beauty, which are however meant to fade. Usually these artworks are presented among real artworks, however at a specific time it is revealed that the artworks were never real to begin with. Observers who had found pleasure in these artworks are then encouraged to remember them until they can create a relatively good copy. Gelf then say that the artwork has put roots in the mind of the observer, and it has thus fulfilled it's purpose.
Uppergelf achitecture, much like the architecture of the Sitha, employs wooden elements which are often grown rather than built with druidic techniques and the uppergelfs inborn knack for nature magic. The gelf have mastered masonry and artisanship however, and gelfling doors are often artful blends of their hands work meeting the natural environment, even though stone is not necessarily a part of them.
Uppergelf homes are usually found inside large trees, or hills, but, artful as they they may be, the doors are mostly covered by illusions, hence they are hard to spot, except if one were invited or knows where to look.
This has, with the Culmerians and some Aes, led to the belief in Fairy hills from which the "fairies" come, connecting the myth with the myths of the Fairy nature of the respective Danu-kin or the Nornfolk Eadun.
The natural knack of uppergelf to travel back and forth between the Fae realm of "First world" (as they call it), and Ardu has even strengthened this belief among the humans, and the humans argue that the "First world" is the place where the Gelf originally came from.
Most uppergelf call this belief superstition. They agree with the norn of all people and argue that once the planet was full of Onauru Trees, and that the "First world" is a reflection of how it should be. If adressed about the superstition, they claim that none of their mothers could recall giving birth to their babies in the Fae realm, so whoever argues that should "shut the vhach up".
Foods & Cuisine
Skilled hunters and gardeners, but always eager to hide, uppergelf never really mastered farming as there is no way to hide the necessary fields. They don't mind bartering against grain or milk or honey, and of course eagerly accept the gracious presents brought to the "fairy hills" for protection against mischief.
Apart form that, Uppergelf cuisine hence tends to circle around hunted game and collected berries, prepared with herbs from the little gardens they allow themselves or the forests they usually inhabit.
Apart form that, Uppergelf cuisine hence tends to circle around hunted game and collected berries, prepared with herbs from the little gardens they allow themselves or the forests they usually inhabit.
Common Taboos
"I swear.. Mom... it was here last time... i saw it with my own eyes, why don't you trust me?"Revealing a gelf settlement to an outsider (or at all) can only be decided by the chieftain and the circle of elders, who govern the settlement. Doing so, voluntarily or involuntarily by another gelf, is a major taboo which often leads to the respective gelf going into exile, and, if deemed necessary (which is often the case), abandoning the settlement, to rebuild it at another place.
"Maybe you are right, but that means we might not see them again... didn't i tell you not to look for the gelf? Now we might never see them again."
"Really? Not even Kyla?"
This does not mean that all uppergelf settlements are hidden, as for some the gelf have decided to reveal them, thus also getting rid of the taboo.
Because true exile would also mean exiling the gelf from all connections inside the tribe, and thus risking the creation of a gremlin, the gelf practise a soft form of exile. Exiled gelf have to settle outside the "new" village but will still be able to be visited by their friends and family, which is done on a daily basis. ("Just to make sure he is okay... and bring him some soup and clothes")
Encompassed species
Related Organizations
D&D 5e Stats
Uppergelf (Forest Gnomes)
Ability Score Increase +2 Int, +1 Dex
Size Small
Speed 25ft
Size: 3 to 4 feet (0,9 to 1,21 m)
Gelf Traits:
- Darkvision: Accustomed to twilit forests and the night sky, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
- Rooted in the material world: Albeit differrently than the elves, Gnomes are protected against the influence of the Fae. You have advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic.
- Gelf Empathy: You get advantage on all Insight checks.
- Retractable Claws: You can decide to extend your claws. Should you do so, your unarmed strikes do 1d4 + Str modifier damage.
- Trance: Like Elves, Gelf do not sleep. Instead they meditate deeply, remaining semi-conscious, for 4 hours a day. The Common word for this meditation is "trance". While meditating, you dream after a fashion; such dreams are actually mental exercises that have become reflexive after years of practice. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit a human would from 8 hours of sleep.
Undergelf Traits:
- Natural llusionist You know the Minor Illusion Cantrip. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for it.
- Speak with small beasts...: Through sound and gestures, you may communicate simple ideas with Small or smaller beasts.
Languages. Uppergelf (Variant)
Pathfinder 2e Stats
See also the Feats at the Bottom of the page
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