Gnomes

Part of the Second Creating, the gnomes were called forth from natural settings by the Stone Mother, the Tree Father, and the Shadow Bearer. Mixing aspects of dwarf and elf, it is believed - albeit not universally - that they were intided to fill niches abandoned in the Cataclysm and deemed too dangerous to reclaim. Hence gnomes are small and light, yet quick and tough, if not often strong, and have a knack for adapting to their environment.
The culture of the gnomes was shaped by the Gods known as the Laughing Circle. The gods of the Circle have no names, nor even individual epithets, but are divided into three groups, asso­ciated with the principal sacred text: The Six Lessons, aldo known as the Three Gifts and Three Commands.

The Choir of the Watchers (Xan Ukhoi) are associated with the gift of Ghed (curiosity) and the command Khoia-a (to look, or to see.) They are depicted as tall figures in long robes and masks of white, but marked with stylised eyes.

The Choir of the Sages (Xan Vhesht) are associated with the gift I of Zehlis (cunning) and the command Eeshta-a (to learn.) Depicted in a similar form to the Ukhoi, their robes and masks are blue, decorated with moons of many phases.

The Choir of the Jesters (Xan Talun) are associated with the gift of Xokis (humour) and the command Edek-a (to laugh.) Unlike the other gods, they are built like gnomes in most depictions, clad in black masks and robes, decorated with seven pointed Stars.
Culturally, gnomes divide themselves into either three or six iskti (prn. iss-kuh-tee, translated as metamorphoses.) The three iskti align with the three creators, while the six are associated with the six lessons, but are in fact more defined by their environment.
The Huldranisse (Wilder Gnomes) are those who live in the wilds, in sympathy with nature. They have an affinity for small animals, and a gift for Primal Magic. In the sixfold reckon­ing, they are divided into Fyrinisse (Forest Gnomes) and Ravenisse (Wander Gnomes,) distinguished by a bond with a fixed location on one hand, or a love of travel on the other.
Although by no means confined to forests, huldranisse favour environments with plenty of cover to conceal them from hostile eyes. Even the ravenisse prefer roads with plenty of wayside scrub or rocks to hide in. Their traditional transport is the dog-cart, a small wagon down by one or two mastiffs or similar hounds, carved by a camouflaged cloth.
Domonisse (City Gnomes) prefer to live in towns or - as the name suggests - cities, having a love of architecture and engineering. The iskti is sometimes subdivided into the Brokrnisse (Tinker Gnomes) and Steinisse (Rock Gnomes). The former favour big cities and tend to specialise in engineering, while the latter like smaller towns which they can build up into cities.
The steinisse and their love of built infrastructures are responsible for The Creation of the characteristic architecture of the gnome quarters and halftowns of the World, offering comfort for smaller lineages, while not entirely excluding their larger neighbours. The brokrnisse tinkers have played a significant role in the development of modern Artifice.
Finally, the Jaskinisse (Cave Gnomes) dwell underground, and specialise in mining and Arcane Magic. Many of them, indeed most, dwell in the hanging crofts of the Underhollows. These Lagrnisse (Deep Gnomes) often dispute the right of the Nottnisse (Night Gnomes) to the name of Jaskinisse, since they sometimes walk under the sun.
Largnisse are the gnomes of the Underhollows, and are also known as croft gnomes. A few of them share the technical bent of the brokrnisse, and are among the greatest scholars in the field of dark energy. While nottnisse share on ancestry with the largnisse, they never dwelt in the Underhollows. There are relatively few nottnisse communities, most of which are located in dwarven holds.

Gnomes and identity

Gnome children are ungendered, and biologically present only the most vestigial and indeterminate of sex organs. Throughout their adolescence, beginning at around age 12 and continuing until as young as 20 to as old as 50, they go through a period of especially intense questioning, exploration, experimentation and self-reflection called the uus ma-a; literally, ‘finding myself’. During this time, and with the guidance and support of friends, teachers and family, a young gnome slowly constructs their personal, social, sexual and gender identity. This period also sees their body settle into whatever mix of physical sexual characteristics the individual is comfortable with.
While gender has no socially prescriptive role among gnomes, gnomish has terms and pronouns to describe over two dozen genders differentiated along axes of morphology, conventional gender and sexuality. Despite pressure from gnomish communities, very few of these have been adopted into other Languages, and in mixed societies, gnomes usually choose between he/him, she/her, e/em, xie/xir and yi/yir. The last of these is used by gnomes whose gender and sexual identity is fluid rather than concretely non-binary.