Golden Hills
The golden hills is a realm burnished with soothing golden light at all times. Every hour is that of a warm autumn evening. It would be the most relaxing place in the multiverse, were not the hills each as busy as a beehive on the side.The Golden Hills is home to most of the Gnome Pantheon. Descriptions of the Golden Hills varie primarily in the size of the "hills". Some characterize them literally as a group of seven hills nestled in the center of Dothion, the "topmost" layer of the Twin Paradises. But it is also said that Baervan Wildwanderer's oak tree, Whisperleaf, grows on the side of mountain that was joined at the top to another mountain that rose from Shurrock, the other half of the Twin Paradises. Connections to this region are the same as for the Twin Paradises, but it is said that mine shafts in Flandal Steelskin's domain connected the Mithral Forge to digs on other planes, including Acheron, Baator, the Elemental Plane of Earth, Pandemonium, the Quasi-Elemental Plane of Minerals, and Ysgard. The seven rolling hills rise from the vast plain, covered in golden grass. Each hill belongs to one of the Gnomish deities. Urdlen, the eighth member of the Gnomish Pantheon, made its lair in Hammergrim. All accounts agreed that everything in the home of the Lords of the Golden Hills is suffused with a polished Gold hue.
Inhabitants
The only native inhabitants of this plane are the devas, solars, planetars, and other angels that served the local gods. Gnome and svirfneblin petitioners make up the rest of the population.Realms
- Baervan Wildwanderer's realm is known as Whisperleaf. The name is taken from the huge oak tree atop the hill, from which Baervan cut his halfspear of the same name. It is said that the tree was actually a treant of the largest size and would attack anyone who approached it other than Baervan. A quaint and cozy cottage is near the tree, which, despite its small appearance, is large enough to hold all his petitioners.
- Baravar Cloakshadow's realm is known as the Hidden Knoll. The Sly One set all manner of non-lethal traps, illusions, and misdirections at the entrance to his domain. It is said that anyone who gets past them can have their pick of the treasures in his realm. It is also said that he changed the defenses constantly to embarrass the overconfident and ensure only the truly skilled would triumph. Petitioners live in small thorps strewn about the hill and beneath the surface.
- Callarduran Smoothhands' realm is known as the Deep or Deephome. This hill is the smallest of the seven, but the vast majority of this realm is underground. Svirfneblin petitioners have an affinity for this realm, even those that do not consider Callarduran to be their patron deity. It is said that despite the dense depths there are caverns of breathtaking Beauty to be seen.
- Flandal Steelskin's realm is known as the Mithral Forge. Almost entirely underground, a large petitioner's city sits atop a complex of mines, tunnels, and a forge heated by elemental fire. The hill reverberated with every blow of Flandal's hammer. It is rumored to contain a subterranean river of liquid mithral.
- Gaerdal Ironhand's realm is known as Stronghaven. Heavily fortified, this hill contains a citadel that is the bulwark of defense for the rest of the plane. Gaerdal takes security and protection very seriously and this realm is characterized by a utilitarian design and a distinct lack of the usual tricks, jokes, and shenanigans that are found in abundance on most of the other hills.
- Garl Glittergold's realm is known as Glitterhome. The largest of the Golden Hills belongs to the patriarch of the pantheon, but he doesn't spend much of his time in residence. He preferrs to wander about the plane, often in disguise, playing practical jokes, encouraging unity and cooperation, and watching over his people.
- Segojan Earthcaller's realm is known as the Gemstone Burrow. Another realm that is mostly subterranean, the Earthfriend fills his domain with burrowing animals, and together with his petitioners they riddled this hill with earthen tunnels of all sizes that joined pleasant lairs and comfortable homes.
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