Gnome
Gnomes are short, grey-skinned people of Horteon and Polaria. In Wuskouu they are associated with the Waal, and in Kemi with the Jaam. Although they now live in the arctic, Gnomish tradition says they originated in the Peaceful Valley, which they call Jaaltuvesk.
They are remembered as pious, musical, and communal people whose festivals fill otherwise silent arctic cities with warmth.
Biology¶
Gnomes are short, with the tallest individuals reaching around four feet and standing slightly shorter than most dwarves. They are not physically imposing, and they tend to have long faces with little facial hair. Their greyish skin remains unexplained in current sources. Their lifespans are broadly similar to humans.
Society and Faith¶
Gnomish society is organized around Kuulvaal, the worship of Wielkopan, known as Wekuaa among the Jaam and Wekuu among the Waal. Many Gnomes also carry pendants or icons of the Taalvut, angelic servants who aid believers in everyday life.
Gnomes hold special reverence for hearths. The magical Iaawu Hearths are the only things warming many major arctic cities, so the hearth is both sacred and practical. This reverence supports a strong hospitality tradition: families are expected to shelter strangers for several days because Wielkopan may appear in such a form to test them.
Music and Festivals¶
Gnomes preserve an extensive musical tradition. They invented many instruments, including the complex Snoorskut, an instrument similar to a saxophone whose difficult training reflects the long winters and large stretches of indoor communal time.
Festivals bind Gnomish society together throughout the year. The Waa Festival, honoring Bvulaar, the Taalvut of Summer, is among the best-known.
History¶
The Timeline and Gnomish tradition preserve a long sacred history:
- Around 20,000 BLC, Wielkopan created the Gnomes to live with him in the Peaceful Valley.
- Around 18,000 BLC, King Skol Skuuva committed the Great Sin by gazing upon Wielkopan's true form. Wielkopan banished the Gnomes north and rained fire over Jaaltuvesk. The future Deep Gnomes escaped into the caverns of the Deep Rift Valley.
- In 672 LC, the Northern United Empire collapsed and survivors fled to Polaria.
- In 707 LC, the Saamskoo/Jemskoo split divided Gnomish politics.
- In 779 LC, Polarians occupied most of the Southern Polarian Plains.
- In 781 LC, the Taanka School of Projection Magic was founded.
- In 974 LC, the Saasamenn Kingdom united the Jemskoo.
Magical Affinity¶
Gnomes are inherently magical, curious, and inventive. Their discoveries were only recently systematized with the founding of the Taanka School of Projection Magic, but they already maintain a large magical community relative to their population.
Current development notes rate Gnomish magical development at Level 3 in Development Rankings, with a 12.5 total and a 4/2/3/3 profile.
Cultures and Figures¶
Known Gnomish cultures include Jemskoo, Saamsko, Mudskvas, Vdaami, Saav, and Mattaaskuava. Important figures include Skaal Skuuva and Skol Skuuva.
See also: Kuulvaal, Wielkopan, Jaam, Waal, Deep Gnome, and Development Rankings.