GNOMES
CHAPTER 2
make one or the other irritable over time. Gnomes often feel that dwarves have the solidity, the grounding in the great truth of the world, that they lack. They envy the dwarves their lifestyle, but favor change too much to chain themselves to a similar path. Elves: The elves and gnomes have much in common, given their magical prowess, but this rarely leads to more than a sort of professional respect. Many gnomes of a philosophical bent feel that the elves are too caught up in their magical talent, and should instead shun their illusory existence and look for truth. Most gnomes feel that the elves are good allies, however, and enjoy trading goods with them when the opportunity presents itself. Goliaths: Goliaths are held in nearly the same regard as dwarves. Their simplicity and wisdom appeal to the gnomes, though few attempt any overt philosophical conversation with goliaths due to the cultural gap between the races. Goliath furs, meats, and leathers are highly valued among the gnomes, who are always happy to meet with goliaths, study their ways a bit further, and trade in exchange for the metal goods and jewelry the goliaths want. Half-Elves: The gnomes are most sympathetic to the half-elves, of all the tall races. The idea of being a bridge between two very different worlds resonates with introspective gnomes, who feel that half-elves are kindred spirits. For others, half-elves are simply interesting because they are widely traveled, often able to form a detached opinion about both their human and elf counterparts. Given the premium that gnome culture places on experience and observation, it is not surprising that gnomes generally hold half-elves in high regard. Halflings: Many gnomes fi nd halfl ings to be the most frustrating ally they have. On one hand, gnomes respect halfl ings for their practicality and ability to adapt. On the other hand, they consider halfl ings to be fl ighty and undisciplined, content with an unexamined existence and doomed to live off the good will of others. In many ways, halflings are the manifestation of the “Jack the Giant-Killer” side of a gnome’s personality (see History and Folklore later in this chapter), and it both attracts and irritates them to see it personified in the halfling race. Half-Orcs: Half-orcs are seen as similar to half-elves in many regards, resulting in an unusually warm reception in many gnome communities. Whereas many people look at a half-orc and see either an orc or a human, gnomes tend to see the individual instead, and they feel sympathy for someone in the state of being a bridge between two worlds, fitting in neither. While some gnomes are so sympathetic in this regard that the orc side of a half-orc’s nature might see it as condescending, most half-orcs are neutral or friendly toward gnomes. Humans: To gnomes, humans represent a constant yearning for change and growth, not often present in the longerlived races. They share the gnomes’ inventive spirit in many ways, and strive to improve both themselves and others. The problem with this (and the reason human–gnome relations are not generally closer than they are) is that the short life span of humans makes them disorganized and unpredictable
to the gnome mind. They continually cover old ground in their studies, toiling to reinvent the wheel in many ways. Also, their efforts at self-improvement both amuse and frustrate gnomes—their willingness is commendable, but their short life spans often make humans shortsighted in their implementations, to a gnome’s way of thinking. Roleplaying Application: These generalizations represent how an average member of gnome society is likely to view someone from a given race. Given that there are no average members of society, however, it’s up to you to decide how well these comments fit your character’s impressions of these races. Does your character adhere to these stereotypes? If not, how does she feel about these races? Did something happen in her past that changed her view of a given race from what is typically the norm?
RELIGION The primary deity of gnome religion is Garl Glittergold, the Prankster. He is considered the creator of all gnomes, as well as their patron and protector. Opposing him is his brother Gelf, as dark as Garl is light. Together they represent the duality of gnome life and form the core of the gnome pantheon. Although few gnomes worship Gelf specifically, nearly all view him as a necessary part of the world rather than just some evil antithesis of Garl Glittergold. Religion holds an odd place in gnome life. While most races are deeply devoted to their deities, having daily proof of their existence through the miracles performed by the priests, the gnomes remain strangely apathetic, if not skeptical, about their patron deity. Indeed, some factions among the gnomes insist that Garl Glittergold is a figurative expression of the gnome mind and soul rather than a mystical, otherworldly being responsible for the creation of existence. If questioned, however, most gnomes profess belief in Garl—or at least what he represents to them. However, their unceasing examination of the nature of divinity, reality, and thought make many gnomes unwilling to fully commit, leading them to posture and give disclaimers about Garl’s nature. Some do believe wholeheartedly, but the rebels and merchant lords are the least likely to espouse any sort of strong belief, followed closely by inventor and wordsmith artisans. Every moderate-sized town has at least one chapel to Garl with a small shrine. Only cities have full temples, however, and the clergy is much smaller in number than most other religious organizations boast. Regular religious services are rare, usually occurring only on high festival days, at weddings, and at funerals. Clerics are still an important part of daily life for most gnomes, however, acting as councilors, mediators, and judges in noncriminal matters. Roleplaying Application: Does your gnome character believe in deities as physical creatures, or see them as a powerful, existential extension (or allegorical representation) of the gnome mind? How does she view religious belief in others? Does she have respect for those who devote themselves to the deities, or does she find herself in awe at the gullibility of others and attempt to educate them?
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