Khelish Gnome
Since time immemorial, various fae creatures have lived in those wildlands of the world that have remained untouched by civilization. Their reach and territories have diminished with time, but the old wild forests of the Khelish realms have historically been sanctuaries to the fae, who have found ample hiding places as well as a human society that has been relatively indifferent to them.
The gnomes have been the most common of these creatures, wildland fae that have either interbred with or simply lived akin to stone-age folk for long enough to become like them. Shunning technology and eking out a primitive existence in the forests of Khely, the Khelish gnomes congregated around greater fae and powerful, elder trees. Viewing their patron fae lords as something akin to gods, the gnomes received strange powers from their patrons in return for their service and devotion.
"The presence of spawn of The Light in the Khelish lands demanded drastic action. We were fortunate that our new subjects also had no particular love for them, even though they did not comprehend the danger that they posed."
Scattered and unorganized, the Khelish gnomes and wildland fae were ill-prepared for the appearance of the elves of Exodus. The Exodites had not come to the Khelish kingdoms to hunt for their hated enemies, but having found them they went to work. The Exodites sent forth their armies to purge the forests of fae and placed bounties for the heads of gnomes and the hearts of greater fae. The Khelish gnomes did not even initially realize they were being targeted, as news traveled very slowly between their communities. Many learned of their new circumstance when bands of humans, greedy for the gold promised by the Exodites came to their groves to burn and kill.
It has been 200 years since the purge, named "Helkah" by the gnomes began. Those gnomes that have escaped the elves' grasp have scattered in all directions, in many cases forced to enter cities with the protection of their fae patrons lost. A scant few have managed to hide in the deep forests, unnoticed by the Exodites or their human auxiliaries.
Culture
Shared customary codes and values
Wildland gnomes are known to have shunned technology and to have lived purely off the bounty of nature. Many gnomish clans disdained even clothes, relying on the blessings of the fae and their deep understanding of nature to keep them protected. The Khelish gnomes did not have hierarchy, or literature, or any of the other trappings of civilization. Though knowing of such things from their contacts with the humans of Khely, they cared not for them.
Though generally peaceful, the wildland gnomes were known for playing tricks on those that ventured into their forests using their powers of illusion and misdirection.
Aww, poor gnomes. :(