Gnomes

Gnomes are a smaller mortal species that is separated into three distinct lineages. The two groups are the Rock Gnomes and Forest Gnomes. Each lineage has a unique relationship to their environment and are often thought to have been influenced in their creation by Elsha.

Rock Gnomes

The Rock Gnomes are the most commonly seen gnomes on Vequist, common in Azendale and the southern part of Herske, as well as taking up several enclaves in Inverus, especially in the Greater Inverus District.

Rock Gnomes are skilled in dealing with the creation and maintenance of stone and metal objects, which suits well their original home environment in the Western portion of the Wandebirge mountains and the Northwest of Inverus. These abilities have given Rock Gnomes some advantages in the staunchly less-magical Inverus and Azendale, where their skills at especially small craftsmanship is greatly appreciated.

Forest Gnomes

The Forest Gnomes are mostly inhabitants of heavily wooded areas similarly to the Firbolg, and are similarly inclined toward nature, with an innate ability to speak with the animals around them. Gnomes have sometimes created joint settlements with the Firbolg but are more commonly associated with Wood Elves due to the relatively sociable nature of both.

These gnomes live primarily in Walzbin, though there are many who live in the southern part of Azendale. Most of the clans that lived in the southern part of Inverus were displaced by the growth of the Coilleskog and the rebellion and crackdown that created Walzbin.

Culture

The Forest Gnomes have held onto a separate culture somewhat more strongly than the Rock Gnomes who have broadly taken on the culture of the nations that they live in, and place a significant emphasis on folk music and cultivating partnerships with animals, much more likely to adopt an animal into the family than put it to work as a farmer would.