Gnomes (sometimes called “Shortfolk”) are one of the most numerous and oldest species of Arvor. It’s said that the first gnomes were born when
Moradin cracked a sparkly geode placed by
Avandra.
Known to be inventive and enterprising, many of history’s great arcanists were gnomes, and the brightest gnomes often follow in their footsteps. Gnomes often appreciate the small magic of everyday life.
Gnomish Subspecies
Forest Gnomes
Forest gnome societies were among those least impacted by the cataclysm, and they are now the most common of the Shortfolk. Many forest gnomes were displaced by encroaching human settlements, leading to a short-lived war between gnomes and humans on the southern coast. Most gnomes have given up this grudge and live among humans without rancor, though they’d certainly be entitled to it.
Fond of wordplay, it’s common for a forest gnome to earn dozens of nicknames by age ten. While the nicknames are usually rooted in affection, they can be embarrassing for adolescents. Most forest gnomes are happiest among the small animals of the woods and are often accompanied by a squirrel or bird as they stroll about town.
Rock Gnomes
Most at home in hills and caves, rock gnomes are accustomed to making do with whatever is at hand. Some of the most ingenious artificers in Arvor’s history were rock gnomes. The preeminent pre-cataclysm school of artificery was established by a one such gnome named Arby.
Their societies’ resourcefulness has turned an old idiom on its head, and they often describe a favorable situation as being “between a rock and a hard place.” Pressure makes diamonds, after all.
Deep Gnomes (Svirfneblin)
Between four and five thousand years ago, an earthquake caused the collapse of much of the northern mountain range. The rock gnome city of Nebbles was buried deep under the earth. While it seemed every life was lost, many had miraculously survived. For years the survivors attempted to tunnel out, but cave-in after cave-in kept them confined deep underground. They gave up, choosing to make their home in the ruined caverns for a thousand years.
These gnomes eventually made their way to the surface, but by this time they were bitter at having been abandoned to the desolate caves. This is the origin of the Svirfneblin, or Deep Gnomes.
In the years since, deep gnomes have integrated into other societies, but still prefer to live underground. For this reason, they’re most often seen living near the settlements founded by mountain dwarves. Deep gnome societies abhor waste and have mastered the arts of underground agriculture. They’re often suspicious of leafy green vegetables, and it’s said that a deep gnome always brings their own cave mushroom to every occasion.
Gnomish Culture
Gemstone Gifters
Many gnomes are fond of glittering gemstones, and collect them. Gnomes do so not for their value – valuing a common amethyst as much as the rarest diamond – but for the delightful sound they make clacking together and the way they shimmer in the sunlight. While gnomes treasure these jewels they rarely hoard them, instead they gift them to special people in their lives.
Clockwork Adepts
Before The Cataclysm, Gnomish tinkerers mastered all manner of clockwork devices, blending mundane mechanics and arcane wizardry. While many of their greatest secrets were lost in the Cataclysm, this tradition persists today. While they tinker year round, many gnomes unveil their creations annually during Wondernights,
Gond's holy day.
Funeral of Lights
Gnomish societies view death as an inevitability that could come at any moment, but due to their long lifespans (compared to all but
Elves) they do not fear or resist it. They are not shy when discussing death, and often plan their own memorials.
Their funerals are seized as an opportunity to celebrate those who have passed on, centered around a funeral pyre. Gnomish elders use their ancient recipes for colored flames to create spectacles of sight and sound. As they gather around these colorful fires, they tell the stories and sing songs of the dead. Magi in their communities weave imagery of smoke and flame to go along with the tales. They celebrate the dead until the last flames have faded to glowing embers, at which point only the deceased's closest friends and family keep watch until the last flicker of flame dies out.
