Mingin

The Mingin gnomes are the most primal and untamed of the Mingines (Gnomes) cultures, embodying the wild, mystical essence of their fey heritage. Probably the most closely tied to how the gnomes first started as a species. Living in small family units scattered across the dense forests, they are deeply connected to the natural world and the fey spirits that inhabit it. Unlike their more structured cousins, the Greyvens and Balidorians, the Mingin gnomes are free-spirited, unpredictable, and fiercely protective of their territory. They are the guardians of the forest, living in harmony with its rhythms and secrets, and their presence is often felt more than seen.
Physical Description:
Mingin gnomes have an otherworldly beauty, their features reflecting their deep fey ancestry. Their skin tones range from pale greens and blues to earthy browns, often mottled with patterns resembling bark or leaves. Their hair is wild and untamed, often adorned with natural elements like leaves, flowers, or vines. Their eyes are large and luminous, glowing faintly in the dim light of the forest, and their expressions are often mischievous or contemplative. They stand about 3 to 3½ feet tall and weigh 80 to 120 pounds, with a slender, lithe build that makes them agile and graceful. Their clothing is lightweight and flowing, made from natural materials like silk, leaves, and woven fibers, often decorated with intricate patterns.
Psychological Traits:

• Wild and Free-Spirited: Mingin gnomes are untamed and unpredictable, embodying the chaotic energy of the fey. They value freedom and individuality above all else.
• Intuitive and Instinctual: They rely on intuition and instinct rather than logic or reason, trusting their connection to the forest and the fey to guide them.
• Playful and Mischievous: Like the fey, they enjoy games, tricks, and pranks, though their humor can sometimes be unsettling or dangerous.
• Isolationist: They prefer to live in small family units, avoiding large communities and outsiders. They are deeply protective of their territory and way of life.

Daily Life:

• Mingin gnomes live in hidden forest dwellings, often camouflaged to blend seamlessly into their surroundings. Their homes are simple but well-protected, with traps and illusions to deter intruders. They are skilled hunters, gatherers, and foragers, relying on the forest for food, medicine, and materials. Their daily lives are filled with rituals and ceremonies to honor the fey and the natural world, blending work with play and reverence with mischief.
• Hunting and Gathering: Mingin gnomes are expert foragers, gathering roots, mushrooms, herbs, and small game from the forest. They know the secrets of the woodland and how to harvest its bounty sustainably.
• Fey Rituals: Their daily life is filled with rituals and ceremonies to honor the fey and the natural world. These rituals often involve music, dance, and offerings of food or flowers.
• Crafting: They create tools, weapons, and art from natural materials, often imbuing them with fey magic. Their crafts are beautiful and otherworldly, with an ethereal quality.

Relations with Other Races:

• Fey: Mingin gnomes have a deep connection to the fey, often forming alliances or pacts with them. They see the fey as kindred spirits and protectors of the forest.
• Elves: They respect elves for their connection to nature but find them too rigid and formal.
• Other Gnomes: They are seen as the most primal and untamed of the gnome cultures, and other branches of their race view them with a mix of reverence and fear.
• Humans and Dwarves: They are wary of these races, seeing them as destructive and greedy. They avoid contact whenever possible.
• Orcs and Goblins: They see these races as threats to their forest home and will defend their territory fiercely.

Alignment & Religion:
Mingin gnomes tend toward Chaotic Neutral or Chaotic Good alignments, valuing freedom, individuality, and the natural world. They are not bound by strict laws or moral codes but have a strong sense of justice when it comes to protecting their home. Mingin gnomes worship the Jerika-fey and the natural world, seeing them as divine beings. They offer prayers and sacrifices to the fey in exchange for their protection and blessings. They also honor nature spirits, such as dryads, nymphs, and treants, believing they are the guardians of the forest.
Lands:

• Mingin gnomes inhabit dense, ancient forests filled with fey magic. Their territories are hidden and difficult to find, often protected by illusions or enchantments. They prefer temperate to tropical climates, where the forest is lush and abundant.
• Climate: Temperate to tropical, with dense vegetation and abundant wildlife.
• Settlements: They do not build cities in the traditional sense. Instead, they live in small, scattered family units hidden within the forest.

Society & Culture:

• Family Units: Mingin gnomes live in small family units, often consisting of a few related individuals. They are deeply protective of their families and territory.
• Arts & Crafts: They excel at creating beautiful, otherworldly items imbued with fey magic. Their art often depicts fey beings, plants, and forest spirits.
• Magic & Technology: They rely on primal magic and simple tools, avoiding complex technology. Fey magic is common, and some Mingin gnomes learn to communicate with animals or plants.
• Language - Gnomish: Mingin gnomes speak a dialect of Gnomish that incorporates fey-inspired words and phrases. It includes whistles, hums, and other sounds that mimic the forest. Sylvan: Many Mingin gnomes learn Sylvan to communicate with the fey. Common: Few Mingin gnomes learn Common, as they prefer to avoid contact with outsiders.
• Names - Mingin names are inspired by nature, fey, and the forest, reflecting their wild and mystical heritage. Personal Names: Aelara, Lirien, Sylvaris, Nimue, Thalindra, Faelyn, Brynna, Elowen, Kaelith, Sariel. Family Names: Moonshade, Dawnwhisper, Starleaf, Nightbloom, Greenbough, Shadowglen, Moonlit, Starfire.

Mingin Racial Traits:

• Ability Score Increase: +2 Dexterity, +1 Wisdom.
• Age: Mingin gnomes mature at the same rate as humans and live between 150 to 200 years.
• Alignment: Typically Chaotic Neutral or Chaotic Good.
• Size: Small (3 to 3½ feet tall, 80 to 120 pounds).
• Speed: 25 feet.
• Languages: Gnomish, Sylvan, and one additional language of your choice.
• Darkvision: Accustomed to the dim light of the forest, 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. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
• Fey Ancestry: You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.
• Illusion resistant: You have advantage on saving throws against illusion spells.
• Forest Camouflage: You have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks to hide in forested or natural terrain.
• Goblinkin Foe: You have advantage on attack rolls against goblins, hobgoblins, and bugbears.

Adventurers:

• Protecting the Forest: Many Mingin gnomes adventure to defend their forest home from threats like logging, mining, or invasive monsters.
• Fey Quests: Some leave home to fulfill quests or pacts with the fey, often involving retrieving lost artifacts or defeating powerful enemies.
• Curiosity: A few are drawn to adventure by their innate curiosity, though they prefer to approach challenges with caution and preparation.
• Mischief: A few adventure simply for the thrill of it, enjoying the chaos they can cause.

Encompassed species

• Mingines - Gnomes

Related Locations

• Mor'sidhi Territory