Gnomes

Gnomes and gnomish culture are relatively uncommon in Tal’Dorei. Although humans and rock gnomes both hail from Issylra, most gnomes never had the chance or desire to leave their homeland. Some did migrate over during the Age of Arcanum and endured the Calamity within the deep caverns of the Cliffkeep Mountains, rebuilding their home for a time as the rock gnome village of Wittebak. Others traveled into the Dividing Plains and found a home among the eastward-bound pioneers. Their short stature has always proved a social hindrance in the lands of the tall folk. While gnomes fight for respect within human communities, they can prove themselves through deeds, or humor, among their taller neighbors.

Rock Gnomes

Rock gnomes prize cleverness over all other traits, and their cultural desire to explain natural phenomena culminated in the gnomish city of Wittebak—the most technologically advanced city in Tal’Dorei. Yet it did not last. Wittebak was destroyed by giants centuries ago, and the rock gnomes fled across the Cliffkeep Mountains in search of sanctuary. Many refugees found homes in Kraghammer, and are striving to recreate the centuries of innovation lost in the destruction of Wittebak. Kymal has also become a center of rock gnome population, and many enjoy figuring out clever ways to rig its many gambling halls, or practice applying new pocket-picking techniques on their occasional wealthy patrons.

Forest Gnomes

Forest gnomes are not native to Tal’Dorei, but unlike rock gnomes, they are believed to hail from the Feywild, much like the elves. A half-dozen small forest gnome communities exist within the Verdant Expanse, hidden from the prying eyes of elves and human explorers. Forest gnomes are more than happy to help their rock gnomish kin in their search to understand how nature works and how to manipulate it. Knowledge is not as important as wisdom in forest gnome culture, but they are keenly aware that the rock gnomes’ science can protect the natural world in ways that they could not. Not all forest gnomes are as close to their fey identity as those of the Verdant Expanse. Some more worldly clans have spread to other forests across Tal’Dorei. Most notably, the Trickfoot clan has made the the Bramblewood outside of Westruun their home for generations, along with several other families. These distant clans are more practical than their fey kin and less uptight than their distant, rocky cousins, giving them a curious personality perfect for the life of a traveling adventurer.