Gnomelings

“Gnomelings” is the generalized term for Halflings, Nisse (Mountain Gnomes), and Forest Gnomes on Seori. Smaller and slighter than humans, dwarves, and elves, Gnomelings are a relatively new race of people, originating in the Serpent Spine 20,000 years ago, following the capture of Ambition.
Prior to Ambition’s downfall, the only being known on the Mortal Plane to resemble a gnomeling was Siri, a world spirit of Seori whose sacrifice entombed the rogue god inside of the Orb of the Earth.
In the generations that followed the War of the Crossroads, each of the three major civilizations in the Serpent’s Spine region began experiencing unusual births - creatures that possessed many qualities of their parents, but were smaller and more mischievous. These children held a deep sense of curiosity and fascination with the world around them, and possessed an unending sense of wanderlust that ultimately led them to leaving their ancestral homes.
The Humans of Braka, later the Kingdom of Darren, referred to these individuals as “Halflings”, due to their short stature. Within a hundred years, Halfling settlements had been established across the Aurvangar Plains. They focused largely on farming and agriculture, and became well known for their fanciful and delicious new cultivations. Within a thousand years, Halfling settlements had spread across Seori, with significant cultural emphasis on happy, healthy, sustainable living. They possess a deep love for plants, animals, food, ale, and beauty - especially fireworks.
The Northern Dwarves of Val Farum called their unusual offspring nisse, but the Alvan word, “Gnome” was later largely used by other cultures. The Nisse spread rapidly through the Serpent’s Spine Mountains, pursuing remarkable feats of alchemy, artificery, and engineering from far beneath the surface of Seori. Their creations revolutionized industry in the Spine, and ultimately led to the modernization of much of Seori’s northern hemisphere within five thousand years. Unfortunately, the most industrious of them, by then known widely as “Mountain Gnomes”, disappeared when the realm of the Fish Lords vanished beneath the sea. While many of their descendents remain, often marked by a deep sense of curiosity and practical creativity, their original knowledge of engineering, alchemy, and artificery has been largely lost to time.
The Alvan Empire referred to these individuals as “Gnomes”. As with both Halflings and Nisse, Forest Gnomes see the world through eyes filled with wonder. They are explorers, who seek to experience as much of the world as possible. With lifetimes comparable to the oldest of elves, they maintain a passionate interest in and appreciation for “the little things”. Forest Gnomes have a deep relationship with the world, particularly the Wald, and are frequent visitors to the Realm of Possibility. They possess an intimate understanding of nature, and tend to treat the world around them with the utmost respect. They love to travel and see new places and things, and appreciate new experiences. Their travels have provided pivotal documentation of previously uncharted lands, and their familiarity with many peoples and cultures has made them highly sought-after diplomats and liaisons.

From Seori Chronicles, Library of Boloxol

Related Organizations

• The Tealeaf Sisters