The Gnomes
Gnomish Society
The saddest tale of all races is that of the gnomes. Their light, jovial nature is being slowly lost to Arthea. Gnomish settlements have traditionally been among the foothills, often near woodland, enjoying fine weather out under the sky while still living in their shallow delves. Once they were close to the dwarves; some delves bordered dwarfish ones, and even shared tunnels, but these has become rare. Their numbers are dwindling, and the race lacks the power to defend itself against attack from the creatures of the Underdark. Their association with The Dwarves has slowly dissolved as the dwarves have become more and more involved with humans. Very few of the other races seem to know the plight of the gnomes – all the humans know is that fewer and fewer gnomes are seen each summer in their towns and cities.
Every few years, it seems, the gnomish delves are being attacked and pillaged by deep dwarves and deep gnomes, who are attacking from The Underdark. Only the gnomes seem to be attacked in this way, and it is unknown why. Many gnomes are taken away to be used as slaves. The gnomes were once powerful enough to withstand these raids, but no longer. There are no great gnomish sorcerers or illusionists left among them, and so their main defence is gone.
In past times, trade used to be plentiful with the human colonies, particularly in the south when the Empire was at its height, and with the dwarfish clans. Gnomes use to journey from their lands in early spring to trade with men, some did not return again until mid autumn. The goods they took with them used to fetch good enough prices to see a band of gnomes through the entire summer without needing to work any more. They would then spend the winter making more goods to sell the following spring.
Those times have gone, but gnomish lore tells of a great hero Gurnarigan One-Eye who forged mighty delves with his own bare hands. Legendary tales of Gurnarigan inspire many gnomes with hope, and suggest that his power will once again return to the delves he created, and free the gnomes from their slavery. These folk tales are well known among humans who have been subjected to them summer after summer for years uncounted. Very few non-gnomes believe these stories now, and it looks like the gnomish race is too near extinction to be saved.
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