Meverith Gnomes

Teet Gremlins

The Meverith Gnomes are a subspecies of Gnome native to the Ghurin Togri territory of North Eastern Archadea. Despite their small, cutesy stature, they are possibly one of the wildest and most dangerous humanoid creatures to roam Avaløn, so look out, will ya?

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Meverith Gnomes have a similar body structure to their other Gnome counterparts, with the only stark differences being that they are much smaller, rarely standing above 1 foot tall, and possessing comically large cone-shaped foreheads that they choose to cover up with vibrant pointed hats.

Growth Rate & Stages

Meverith Gnomes mature at the same rate as regular Gnomes, settling into adulthood by the age of 40 and having the ability to live up to 500 years. However, due to the mischievous and somewhat aggressive nature of the race, they rarely live past 25.

Ecology and Habitats

Unlike the Farley Gnomes, the Meverith Gnomes are adapted to live in incredibly hot environments, with a high surface area to volume ratio and their ability to store large amounts of water in their cone shaped heads. Meverith Gnomes can thrive in temperatures up to 50°C, usually building their habitats on the open plains or in the valleys of Archadea.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Meverith Gnomes are carnivores and predators, regularly hunting in large packs of around 100 men. They use their small stature to their advantage, with one or two Gnomes appearing vulnerable to their prey, distracting them whilst the rest close in. It's been reported that these tiny critters can take down a dragon when their pack is big enough.

Behaviour

The species is seen to be primal, unnaturally aggressive and territorial, known to kill any travellers or migrants passing through Ghurin Togri before savagely dismembering them and displaying their heads as trophies outside of their villages. At the same time, they have also been observed to be somewhat invasive to the other territories of Archadea, reinforced by their recent invasion of Kobold controlled Dereg'mal in 526 AXR.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Ghurin Togri doesn't have a formal structure like other territories and countries do, with each Gnome village governing itself under the rule of a single Eprikn (Chieftain). The Eprikn makes all of the decisions for the village and organises the rituals and festivals within the walls that will please their God, seen as a spiritual leader who acts as a communicator between the divine and mortal realms. Once per annum, every village's Eprikn meet to discuss progress and their plans for the territory in the coming year.
The next layer in the village hierarchy belongs to the Delke'din, a warrior society that hunts for the village and protects its people from beasts and invaders. When decisions are made, the Delke'din have a large say in the direction of the village and are seen are wise warriors who put the needs of the people before their own.
The lowest layer of the social structure is the Wa'kren, made up of women, peasants and artisans. Despite being at the bottom of the hierarchy, they are still viewed as an integral part of the village's survival, raising children to be future Delke'din, making weapons and armour, and constantly expanding the village walls.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

The species originated in the area of North-Eastern Archadea now known as Ghurin Togri. Though the population of the Meverith Gnomes is still very concentrated there, the species has since spread throughout Archadea and some colonies have branched out further to other rural areas of Σu'ryxia.

Average Intelligence

The average Meverith Gnome is far from intelligent, scoring an average Intelligence Score of 7 on Alcwen's scale. However, their innovative use of pack tactics and teamwork when hunting together makes them a formidable, tactical foe when faced against multiple.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Meverith Gnomes only ever have one name no longer than three syllables. Commonly, children are assigned the name of their mother/father at birth and then assigned a new name at age 12 by the Eprikn in convergence to their values and traits. Common male names include Brogur (bold), Deldekim (warrior) and Ifyn (agile). Common female names include Kiri (maternal), Lymgra (wise) and Malika (beautiful).

Major Language Groups and Dialects

As oppose to their larger Gnome counterparts with less majestic heads, the Meverith Gnomes don't actually speak Gnomish at all, with most not even taught to speak common. Instead, they choose to speak in their tribal language of Gubdagog - a language only made up of 19 distinct sounds and under 300 words. Dialects of this language vary from village to village dependent on location, due to the fact that in some places, certain words will be used less than others, and will begin to fall out of use until the pronunciation is lost entirely. Some of the Gnomes' favourite words include: 'Orkel' (food), 'Drim' (kill) and 'Lebby' (run away).

Culture and Cultural Heritage

The primal, tribal culture of the Meverith Gnomes can be put down to the fact that they believe everything in nature has a spirit, resulting in some quite savage rituals in which they reach inside of their prey to pluck out their heart, which is then planted in the ground to bring new life in Vivili, before sending the animal off into the afterlife. In addition, there also exists traditions and festivals in which the Gnomes contact the dead and their ancestors for guidance through sacrificing a newborn to their God, Arphigig.

Common Myths and Legends

The Meverith Gnomes supposedly came into existence in approximately 13,500 BXR, born from the gems of the hoard of the Great Dragoness Caeseneighstjahte. The Andrake-Deregh Kobolds, who worked under the Dragoness, were quick to enslave the Gnomes and force them to hollow out the Daristris Mountains. Pleased with their work, the Dragoness eventually freed the Kobolds and allowed them to leave for the Silver Valleys, making their leader Kerbalmache God of the Kobolds. Meanwhile, the Meverith Gnomes were kept working under Caeseneightsjahte for centuries, until eventually, the divine saviour of the Gnomes, Arphigig, slayed the Dragoness and freed the Gnomes himself, taking land from the Kobolds and giving it to his people. This land was named Ghurin Togri, translating roughly to 'freedom valley'.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Due to their troubled past, the mortal enemies of the Gnomes are the Archadean Kobolds, whom they despise with every fibre of their being. For every one that they capture, they torture it by ripping out its scales one by one, then rolling its flesh in salt before skewering it and broiling it over an open fire. Finally, they eat its heart to prevent it from travelling to the Achuak'arux (the Kobolds' version of heaven). Around 1000 years ago, a great war between the Gnomes and the Kobolds erupted, ending in a victory for the Kobolds who enslaved a great percentage of the Gnomes once again in Dereg'mal to work for them and grow their Kingdom. However, just three short years ago, the Gnomes banded together and revolted against their evil captors, killing their chieftain Scry Tony and burning their Capital Ragre Sutt to the ground. The Gnomes have since flipped the power imbalance on its head, taking Dereg'mal for themselves and enslaving the surviving Kobolds to repent for their sins.

Scientific Name

Gnomgarus Meveritus

Origin/Ancestry

Archadean

Lifespan

Up to 500 years; 25 years on average

Average Height

8-11 inches

Average Weight

10-13 lbs

Average Physique

The small, fragile stature of the Gnomes makes it difficult for them to gain muscle without them breaking their fragile little body. Because of this, the species have adopted a lean, slender physique that aids them in hunting and slipping away quickly and stealthily.

"We call 'em da Teet Gremlins, and Gremlins dey certainly are."

— Sly Tony, 526 AXR