Deep Gnomes
The Deep Gnomes are a subrace of gnome adapted for life in underground environments; as such, they most commonly reside within the Underdark beneath the continent of Crestfall. They Deep Gnomes are often referred to by their name in Undercommon, which is Svirfneblin.
History
Much like the Duergar are to the Dwarves, the Svirfneblin are believed to have branched off from the other gnomish races at some point in Crestfall's prehistory, eschewing the fields and forests of the gnomish homeland of Lubec in favour of the caverns and tunnels of the Underdark. With this change of environment came a number of changes, most notably in terms of appearance; with their bluish-gray skin, angular features and sparse body hair, the gnomes of the Underdark are notably different from their surface-dwelling cousins. Curiously, the Svirfneblin are also shorter-lived on average than most other gnomes, with the upper limits of their lifespan typically only reaching about 200-250 years.Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Like the other varieties of gnomes found on Crestfall, the Deep Gnomes have retained the language of gnomish as part of their culture, although their dialect is as distinctly unique as the gnomes themselves.
In addition, mwhile most Svirfneblin are reclusive and solitary by nature, many are also fluent in Undercommon in order to more easily interact with the other races of the Underdark, including the aforementioned Duergar as well as the Drow.
Culture and cultural heritage
In contrast to the more sociable gnomes of the surface, Svirfneblin are typically prone to more solitary lifestyles, either living alone or in small family units. Many tend to dwell on the outskirts of Underdark civilizations, such as the Drow capital of Deepscar beneath the region of Scar Valley.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
The Deep Gnomes, much like their Lubecian relatives, practice an animist religion that places spiritual emphasis on the interconnection of living things as opposed to any specific named deities. The core difference, of course, is that the Svirfneblin take on these spiritual beliefs is much more in line with the natural ecosystems of the Underdark, eschewing birds and trees for giant insects and luminescent fungi.
While this flavour of druidic reverence may seem unusual to an outsider, the subterranean Svirfneblin are no less devout in their beliefs than the gnomes of the surface.
Encompassed species
Related Locations
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