On Cabochon: Random Q&A

A number of my players (and actually myself on many occasions) have brought up a few specific questions on roleplaying certain races or specifics on other random aspects of my world. While this would be a better article have displayed as 'private', I think it has more use as a public article. Besides, why hide information from players that want to know more? I'll answer more generalized questions that may be buried in one of the articles. A lot of specific questions are covered in this document which I made before utilizing WorldAnvil.
Q: What is elven (or elvish) supposed to sound like?
A: The last great empire to span the world was the Elven Empire. While I think WOTC calls it Elvish for legal reasons (or not, maybe they just like it that way), I usually refer to the people and their language as 'Elven'. A lot of my mythology and text comes from French Mythology and I think the elves more thoroughly represent what I would call 'French'. If I had to point to a specific dialect or language, I would choose the Occitian language of southwestern France/ northeast Spain.

Q: Magic is dying? How exactly? It seems like there are plenty of magic users in Cabochon.
A: Yes, magic is dying. One clarification about magic in Cabochon now is that the arcane is almost completely limited to PCs and major NPCs. Otherwise, normal denizens of the world have lost access and knowledge of most forms of magic. Magic items are pervasive as many artificers have existed throughout Cabochon's many eras. These items are not only expensive, but very rarely seen by commoners. As far as how magic is dying... well, that is the question now isn't it?
Q: You really like gnomes don't you?
A: Hilariously no, actually. The gnome-centric theming was almost completely random after C1 Session 2. As these few one shots were becoming a full-fledged world and campaign, I needed to populate it with something. I didn't really know anything about gnomes... so, of course, that's what I went with. It's been fun so far. They are like crafty halflings.

Q: Can you give some clarification on what exactly a 'Providence' species is? I know you're trying to be secretive or whatever, but you're going to have to be more specific. (a verbatim question)
A: What I will say is Providence is tied directly to the various omphalos. As seen with the Halflings, if a species is 'seated' in the omphalos and that omphalos is destroyed, the species is essentially raptured immediately. Torque entered the Aether Omphalos and was able to see with 'segemented eyes' through the many Epitomes in Cabochon. Being seated in a omphalos gives the user certain powers... though it will most likely result in their character becoming an NPC. Otherwise, I think the nature of the gems, how Providence 'ordains' a species, and their purpose are best seeded through context clues.

Q: Is Cabochon flat or is it sphere-shaped?
A: What lies beyond the Western Boundary has yet to be discovered by players. If/when they decided to go there, I'll clarify.

Q: What races are legal in Cabochon? Just what you've listed? PHB +1? Volo's? Monstrous races?
A: This has been a point of contention with my players. As time has gone on, I've sort of loosened the reins on race restrictions. I still prefer PHB, Elemental Evil's Player Companion, or my own provided races to be played in Cabochon. Ultimately as a DM, the important thing is that your players have fun and being told 'No' is usually a great way to destroy said fun. I find that the 'Beer & Pretzels' style games tend be more fun to not only play, but also GM. If a player wants to play... say a Trition, I will try to direct them toward Sea Elves instead. If they don't budge, I'll let them play a Triton that is non-native to Cabochon. Ultimately if a player wants to play some weird race, I will usually allow it if they tell me first.