Balidorians

The Balidorians are a subculture of the Mingin gnomes, known for their ingenuity, craftsmanship, and vibrant communities. Unlike their more reclusive cousins, the Balidorians have embraced a structured yet lively lifestyle, building thriving settlements within and around cave systems. They are inventors, miners, and artisans, combining magic and technology to create wonders that are both functional and beautiful. Their society is built on cooperation, innovation, and a shared commitment to progress, making them an integral part of the Mor'sidhi Confederacy.
Physical Description:
Balidorians have a greyish hue to their skin, a result of their underground lifestyle. Their hair is often dark and wild, and their eyes are large and expressive, adapted to low-light environments. They stand about 3 to 3½ feet tall and weigh 80 to 120 pounds, with a small, nimble build that makes them adept at navigating tight spaces and working with delicate machinery. They wear practical yet colorful clothing made from leather, wool, and woven fibers, often decorated with intricate patterns and symbols of their craft.
Psychological Traits:

• Inventive and Practical: Balidorians are natural tinkerers and builders, always seeking to improve their surroundings through innovation and craftsmanship.
• Outgoing and Fun-Loving: Despite their focus on work and study, Balidorians are lively and sociable, enjoying festivals, music, and storytelling.
• Community-Oriented: They value their close-knit communities and work together to ensure the prosperity and safety of their people.
• Curious and Adventurous: They are deeply curious about the world and often seek new knowledge and experiences, though they remain grounded in their commitment to their communities.

Daily Life: 
Balidorians live in large, well-organized cave systems, often with parts of their cities built around cave openings to allow for trade and interaction with the outside world. Their homes are sturdy and functional, with a focus on comfort and security. They spend much of their time crafting tools, weapons, and machinery, their workshops filled with the sounds of hammers, gears, and magical energy. Mining is a big part of their lives, as they extract valuable resources from the earth to fuel their inventions and trade with other races.
Community gatherings are an important part of Balidorian life. They hold regular festivals, storytelling sessions, and communal meals, strengthening their bonds as a community. These events are lively and filled with music, laughter, and camaraderie.
Relations with Other Races:

• Greyvens: Balidorians have a close relationship with the Greyvens, often collaborating on projects and sharing knowledge. Many Greyvens live in Balidorian cities like Mingenhall, creating a cosmopolitan atmosphere.
• Surefoots and Trowbridge: As part of the Mor'sidhi Confederacy, Balidorians work closely with the Surefoots and Trowbridge, contributing their inventions and resources to the confederacy’s efforts.
• Dwarves: While most dwarves in the world are seafaring, Balidorians respect the craftsmanship of the Auktum dwarves, who are known for their jewelry and artistry. Though rare, interactions between Balidorians and dwarves are marked by mutual admiration.
• Humans and Elves: Balidorians are friendly and open to trade with humans and elves, though they find the latter’s aloofness somewhat frustrating.

Society & Culture:

• Balidorian society revolves around family, guilds, and innovation. They live in large, well-organized communities, often forming close-knit enclaves within larger towns or cities. Their daily lives are filled with crafting, mining, and communal gatherings, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose.
• Guilds: Balidorians are organized into guilds based on their professions, such as the Miners’ Guild, Crafters’ Guild, and Inventors’ Guild. Each guild plays a vital role in the community’s prosperity.
• Leadership: Balidorian communities are typically led by elected councils or respected elders. Disputes are resolved through discussion and compromise, though rivalries can arise between inventors or guilds over patents, resources, or recognition.

Alignment & Religion: 
Balidorians tend toward Neutral Good or Lawful Good alignments, valuing community, innovation, and fairness. They strive to create prosperous, stable societies while maintaining their independence. Balidorians often worship gods of craft, invention, and knowledge, seeing their work as a form of devotion. They strive to create and discover in honor of their deities.
Lands:
Balidorians inhabit large, well-organized cave systems, often with parts of their cities built near the surface to facilitate trade and interaction. Their territories are hidden and difficult to find, protected by natural barriers and magical wards. The climate within their caves is cool and stable, with little variation in temperature. Their largest cities include:

• Nyrndunnbiss: A more secluded city located in the northern reaches of the Mor'sidhi kingdom, known for its impressive architecture and thriving mining industry.
• Mingenhall: A cosmopolitan city with a mix of Balidorians and Greyvens, known for its bustling markets and innovative workshops.

Language: 
Balidorians speak a dialect of Gnomish that incorporates words and phrases from other languages, reflecting their cosmopolitan lifestyle. Most are fluent in Common, as it is essential for trade and diplomacy. Many also learn additional languages to facilitate their interactions with other races.
Names: 
Balidorian names are inspired by nature, craftsmanship, and their cultural heritage. 

• Personal Names: Arlen, Bryn, Cedric, Dara, Eldrin, Fiona, Garrick, Lira, Maren, Orin, Sylas, Tessa.
• Family Names: Stoneforge, Ironhart, Coppervein, Brightspark, Deepwell, Silverleaf, Goldcrest, Runeweaver, Shadowpine, Windmere.
• City Names: Nyrndunnbiss, Mingenhall.

Balidorian Racial Traits:

• Ability Score Increase - +2 Intelligence, +1 Constitution. Intelligence reflects their ingenuity and problem-solving skills, while Constitution represents their resilience and adaptability.
• Darkvision - You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light.
• Gnome Cunning - You have advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic.
• Artificer’s Lore - Whenever you make an Intelligence (History) check related to magic items, alchemical objects, or technological devices, you can add twice your proficiency bonus, instead of any proficiency bonus you normally apply.
• Tinker - You have proficiency with artisan’s tools (tinker’s tools). Using those tools, you can spend 1 hour and 10 gp worth of materials to construct a Tiny clockwork device (AC 5, 1 hp). The device ceases to function after 24 hours (unless you spend 1 hour repairing it to keep the device functioning), or when you use your action to dismantle it. You can have up to three such devices active at a time.

Adventurers:
Balidorian adventurers are often driven by a desire to seek knowledge, protect their community, or test their inventions in the wider world. Their curiosity, resourcefulness, and unique abilities make them valuable allies in any party.

Encompassed species

• Mingines - Gnomes

Related Organizations

• Government: Balidorians
• The Stone Council

Related Locations

• Mor'sidhi Territory