Gnomes of Vastonia!

This page will detail only the two major culturized race of Gnomes within Vastonia, this includes the Surface Gnome's and the Deep Gnomes. Although, they are so similar in shape, and mental affinity that I have posted only a general listing of Gnomes and a combined overview of both the Surface Gnomes and Deep Gnomes of Vastonia. Enjoy....

Gnomes appear to be compulsive, nervously driven, intensely curious, inventors of useless mechanisms. They shun social pleasantries, and almost never show physical emotions. Their most glorious moments come from the success of their work and by watching their marvelous inventions be put to use. This is not to say a gnome is a bore but rather a person of timely events

Gnomes can be as adventurous as any other race, though many a Gnome are content to stay within their Delves and tinker with their new found metals, gadgets and other mechanical contraptions. Adventuring gnomes are generally unable to learn from previous mistakes and tend to reenact their previous faults. Yet they quite often succeed in inventing a quirky solution to a dilemma that could very well safe their fellow adventurers. Adventuring Gnomes tend more to become general handymen, inventors of strange utilities or simply a jacks-of-all-trades. The simplest puzzle, diagram or mechanical object will draw their undivided attention and cause them to reach for their scrollcases or tool belts. It was a gnome adventurer who first invented Vistagh's electric water wheel.

In some cases, highly unusual magical devices will be studied in order to develop technological items that can replace their functions. Gnomes like to acquire interesting things and may steal them, though not for the same reasons as the Halflings of Vastonia do. Gnomes will deliberately take things that might provide calculable information if taken apart, melted down, examined under a lens, and studied in general. A gnome at a royal banquet , for example, might become infatuated by the pretty red stone in the center of the King's crown. Thus obsession will kick in, with the idea of taking the crown, bringing it into a smithy, smacking it with a hammer, melting it down into a pool of molten liquid and performing experiments on the metal, greatly appeals to a Gnome. Just imagine all of the new stories and great advances in metalwork that could be made!. Now, the only problem is how to attain the King's crown without him noticing it's misplacement....

General Traits, Life Expectancy

Gnomes are the inventors and tinker's of Vastonia, they design grand machines for any occasion. A close relation of Dwarves, these short, wide nosed patrons of serious work habits are by far the most technologically advanced of all the Vastonian races. Gnomes tend to live up to 350 years of age, weigh anywhere from 39 lbs - 55 lbs and stand no more than 3'8''.

Surface Gnomes have either brown, blonde or red hair and have green or violet eyes. While Deep Gnomes tend to have black, brown or gray hair and either brown or dark blue eyes.

Social Structure, Government, Laws, Religion

Hahaha, this is what separates the Deep Gnomes from the Surface Gnomes. The Deep Gnomes believe in a chaotic dominion, with leaders being determined by metal prowess and/or social birth rank. While the Surface Gnomes have a much more complex social structure. Both races have strict laws and definite guidelines of society, but the Deep Gnomes have far worst punishments to hand out than the Surface Gnomes care to use. Guilty criminals within the Deep Gnome kingdom of Darkreach are either burned to death, maimed for minor offenses or sent on seemingly impossible treks to prove their innocence to their would be accuser's. While guilty parties are usually thrown in prison in Sunblesyn "The Surface Gnome Kingdom".

All Gnomes in Vastonia pray to only one God, this being Garl Glitter Gold, but of course this is if they are Gnomes who seek to do the world good. Evil Gnomes deem religion as an obstacle slowing them from success, and will scoff at any who worship any deity at all.

Armor, Weapons and Advancements

Most Gnomes wear leather, padded or chain at best. Only adventuring Gnomes seek to adorn greater armor, but nothing more bulky than that of platemail. Gnomes tend to use just about any type of smaller weapon, if given a choice they tend to favor daggers, Bo sticks, canes, short swords, picks, knives, darts and anything else that can be shoved into a small pocket or container.

Hunting Strategies, Tactics, Local Game

Gnomes find hunting to be a bore....That is unless! Some kind of ingenious invention can be used to scoop up the prey, skin it, gut it and serve it on a plate. They would much rather grow natural crops of wheat, barley, oats, corn and other common foods of the realm than go out and possibly get trampled by a angry Bachtherium.

Trading Habits, Routes

The Surface Gnomes have two well used trade routes between Sunblesyn and Mydric, or the other which leads through the dangerous Crimson Valley to a city known as Darshmoore. Here at both ends of the road the Gnomes trade with Human communities, with both races greatly prospering from the other's commodities.

The Deep Gnomes don't trade with anyone....well perhaps a few times a year they will make an exception and head towards the surface and trade with their cousins.

Use of Animals/Mounts

Surface Gnomes use much the same mount's as Dwarves do, but seek even smaller horse's than that of what there Dwarven cousin's. They also ride goats, mule, large war dogs or perhaps camels "but this takes great effort".

Deep Gnomes do not need mount's, instead a good pulley, block & tackle and some nifty harnessing are all that's ever needed to traverse the realm of Darkreach.

Goals, Passions, Perseverance

Inventions, shinny objects, hard metals and any other interesting object's that catch their eye. See opening paragraph for more details.

Education, Alphabet, Languages

Being masters of mechanisms, and avid explorer's of the unknown. Gnomes have developed perhaps the most complex language's in all Vastonia. Not only is the common language of Gnomish spoken but a multitude of slang dialects, diagrams, symbols and rock formations are also incorporated in everyday communication with fellow Gnomes. Deep Gnomes most often use rock formations and symbols to communicate with undetermined guests while Surface Gnomes prefer the use of intricate diagrams and direct communication.

Magical Expectancy, Usage

Unlike some others realms, Vastonian Gnomes love to delve in the works of magic. This tends to allow them quicker discovery of what's within an object and what can be done to manipulate the object in question. Most Gnomes favor the clerical aspects of magic but a few rare exceptions have practiced the arcane magic's of the realm, thus becoming magic-users.

Racial Customs, Burial Ceremonies, Celebrated Holidays

Surface Gnomes celebrate only 3 major holidays in the year, the first day of the new year, Filgrin Fest and Makfern day's. Filgrin Fest falls during early spring and Makfern day's takes place mid summer. (I will post a detailed overview of this Gnomish Holidays in the future.

Deep Gnomes do not celebrate any holidays, only triumph in one's successful journeys or creative inventions. Thus they all grab a mug of Gnomish Brandy and drink until the celebrated person say's to stop, usually when they fall unconscious.

Housing Materials, Architecture, Skills

Surface Gnomes build most of their housing out of logs or piled stone. The structures are built according to their size needs, thus making it almost impossible for Human's to sit comfortably in most establishment's. Although Gnomes are great inventors they still construct average looking buildings "I guess they would rather spend their time inside the house than building it".

Deep Gnomes use stone slabs, hard clay blocks, moss, sticks and huge plates of lava rock to build their housings. The detail put into these structures is far greater than that of the Surface Gnomes. Some Deep Gnome fortification's have been known to take up over 100 yards in length and tower nearly 50' in height. Most of these monuments can be found in the Deep Gnome capital city of Stoneheart...