Mountain Gnome
Mountain gnomes are substantially more common than their forest brethren and can be found a bit more throughout Emicara. They are similar in that they burrow with small family units, but they often choose more remote mountain locations, much like the dwarves. Unlike the dwarves, the gnomish settlements are bit more temporary, and they enjoy trading and meeting new people. Curiosity is the definite hallmark that marks out the mountain gnomes over the forest type, and they always seek to trade with human settlements. There are even a handful of small towns that have gnomish enclaves that stand out as places to buy fine goods.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Fitkek, Henkli, Gnyrill, Eboll, Mimkin, Kitleyn, Laka, Nigethe, Pamuk, Gnibis
Masculine names
Kiclink, Orirn, Dimick, Pikleekish, Ankiweesh, Gnutlash, Teekizz,Hematlozz, Erlees, Klillak
Family names
Shineboss, Railsprocket, Fuzzwizzle, Billowriddle, Pumpcollar, Wirehouse, Trickfield, Clicklight, Togglebus, Silverballoon
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
The mountain gnomes of course speak Gnomish as their primary tongue, but they have recently adopted a lot of Common into their everyday parlance. Increased trade with the Mersan Union and elements of the Shin Empire have caused the gnomes to bring these new and fascinating words into use, and they have done similar things with dwarvish and even goblinspeak and orcish. This has led to the mountain version of Gnomish becoming a very unusual mishmash of languages and slang, causing no end of confusion when they interact with forest gnomes.
Art & Architecture
Mountain gnomes are similar to those of the forest in that they defend their homes with subterfuge, not brute force. Mountain gnome burrows are dug deep into the sides of mountains, sometimes even coexisting next to dwarven strongholds or Shin cities, unbeknownst to their inhabitants. They rarely rely on traps, but rather on magical illusions to protect these burrows, concealing the entrances and never allowing in outsiders. Within the burrows are typically carved stone furniture and surprisingly comfortable trappings, although it is widespread believed to be not nearly as elaborate or flush as the homes of the forest gnomes.
The true artwork of the mountain gnome however comes in the form of their gadgets and devices that they occasionally sell to the wider world. Sometimes magical, sometimes relying on clockwork, these trinkets that are offhandedly created by gnomes far surpass similar devices created by dwarves or humans. Due to their rarity, they are highly prized among collectors, and cities with gnomish enclaves tend to do a brisk business trading in these items.
Ideals
Gender Ideals
Gnomish males and females are treated mostly equally, as they have had long lives to work out differences. There are few traditional gender roles in gnomish culture, although females do usually take additional time away from their pursuits while pregnant. This is typically recognized as a time to be left alone, but otherwise they are fully integrated into the rest of gnomish culture.
Relationship Ideals
Mountain gnomes tend to mate for life, but lifetime partners are open to experimentation, because they believe in the value of curiosity. This had led to confusion with people of other races, simply due to the incredible openness of gnomes to new ideas. Outside of love, mountain gnomes enjoy meeting new people, but they are very flighty friends, rarely able to commit to a long term relationship outside of their partners. Essentially, a friendship with a gnome will last approximately as long as you have new and interesting things to show them.
Encompassed species
Related Organizations
Languages spoken
Related Locations
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