Gnomes

The Gnomes are a small, inquisitive, and ingenious race of nomadic humanoids living amongst the hills and trees of Vóreios. Gnomes are known for their intellect, nimbleness, and cleverness, especially when it comes to all things arcane. Gnomes are a rather social race and can be found, albeit scarcely, nearly anywhere in the world. When addressing a Gnome one need not put much thought as they are easy enough to please with just a first and last name. Though Gnomes earn their distinction in naming by its odd nature. Likely a result of their inquisitive nature, Gnomish names tend be based off of something they discovered and grew fond of such as a plant, typically fungi, or sound. While the surnames of families stay, the first names are traditionally odd sounding to most folk. A name such as Socko Babbleapple may sound like nonsense to Men or Dwarves but among Gnomes it would be as traditional as a Dwarf named Barik Thoreksson.

Masculine Example: Portobello Copperpot

Feminine Example: Fizzia Weathervane

The Gnomes of Vóreios value curiosity, intuition, and a thirst for knowledge. It is likely this curious and explorative nature that made the Gnomes nomadic to begin with. Though the Gnomes have largely begun to end their nomadic tendencies and have begun settling down.

Loss & Rebirth of the Gnomes

Sadly, not much is known about ancient Gnomes as much of their population and culture was decimated during the events of the Obsidian Tempest and the Green Skin hordes of the Black Tomb. This left most of the Gnomish population existing within the hills and trees of the Dwarflands and Númenas. Though settling in one spot was not in the nature of the Gnomes and most elected to instead openly travel amongst the lands of the Kingdoms of Men and Dwarves.

During the Great Elven Migration, many Elves established quick, though luxurious settlements along the rivers of Númenas and within the woods near Gwaelfell. Once the Elven Migration had completed, the settlements were left vacant so the Gnomes came to occupy them. Though due to the considerable height difference between Gnomes and Elves, much work was to be done to make their new homes more Gnome-friendly. But the Gnomes are an ingenious people and did not need long to make the necessary modifications.

While many of the settlements are small, in population not necessarily in size, one stands above the rest, Rivertink. Rivertink rests along the northeastern edge of the forests near Gwaelfell and uses the power of the surrounding rivers and the thermal energy of nearby hot-springs to power many of their ingenious creations.

The Big Friendly Giants

When many of the Jøtun Viknigr stumbled upon the abandoned Elf settlements and discovered Gnomes dwelling within them many of the Jøtun were confused. The Gnomes, however, were more curious than frightened by the monolithic stature of the Jøtun. The Jøtun were charmed by the Gnomes inquisitive and friendly nature and became fast friends. This friendship became evident when the then King of Númenas Ferlyn Ingvahr made efforts to tax or oust the Gnomes from their homes. The Jøtun Raìthbjorn (Rage-bear) Clan members were among the Gnomes when the King's tax collector came. The Raìthbjorn Clan decapitated the tax collector and sent it back to King Ferlyn with a note stating the Gnomes taxes had been paid in full and for perpetuity and that if more tax collectors were sent to the Gnomes the Jøtun would gladly pay their taxes for them again, tenfold.

War of Rivertink: 3rd Day of Theryn, year 12 of the Second Age of Men

In response to this threat, King Ferlyn then sent a small army to evict the Gnomes and slay the Jøtun Vikingr. The Jøtun and Gnomes had no intention of fighting the Númarian armies as they marched upon Rivertink. Jøtun and Gnome alike stood side-by-side in defiance to the armies of King Ferlyn, weapons sheathed. That changed when a lone arrow found its way through the chest of Morsella Berrybranch, killing her on impact. This sent Jøtun and Gnome alike into a frenzy the likes of which the Númarian soldiers had never seen. Within the span of a few hours, ever Númarian soldier laid slain and their heads gathered and sent back to King Ferlyn. The Raìthbjorn Clan Jøtun once more sent a message to the King, on behalf of the Gnomes of Rivertink, apologizing for the miscalculation in their tax payment and that if they were short once more they would gladly come to Númenara' to personally deliver payment in full. And with that message the War of Rivertink was won and the Gnomes allowed to dwell peacefully.

A monument was erected in honor of Morsella Berrybranch and the Raìthbjorn Clan Jøtun depicting Morsella as a fearsome warrior in full Raìthbjorn Clan regalia and weaponry. Every year since, on the 3rd day of Theryn, the Gnomes of Rivertink recreate the War of Rivertink, often with Jøtuns from all around and especially members Raìthbjorn Clan. As per tradition, the Jøtun bring gifts of gold, spirits, and freshly slain game for the Gnomes to enjoy and the Gnomes give them potions, pastries, and various enchanted tinkerings they have created.

Admittedly, the Gnomes were not entirely pleased with the vicious diplomatic techniques of their Jøtun friends, though they did find the whole situation rather humorous. The Gnomes agreed to pay a small tithe in taxes toward the Kingdom of Men for allowing them to dwell within their lands and as to ensure Gnome and Men relations stayed relatively amicable in the event of a Jøtun withdrawal from Númenas. King Ferlyn accepted and Gnomes have since been freely welcomed throughout the lands of Númenas.