J'jiwe

The J'jiwe, more commonly known as Deep Gnomes, are the predominant gnomish species on the main continent of Zor. Like gnomes of other realms, J'jiwe are generally characterized by a fascination with how things work. They tend to take as much, or more, joy in the process of working and creating than in the end product. This trait has led to the J'jiwe's reputation as proficient miners and artificers.
Unfortunately, these same traits have historically made deep gnomes targets for exploitation, particularly in the Southern Aeuzian region, where less scrupulous mages once subjugated entire enclaves of the race in the pursuit of rare materials. The practice of enslaving deep gnomes was outlawed in Aeuz over a century ago, at which point most J'jiwe who had not already done so migrated south to the mountain regions of Kaeol.
In large part due to the abuse they have historically suffered at the hands of surface dwellers, J'jiwe culture tends to be isolationist. There are strong cultural taboos against sharing too much about their advanced industrial technology with outsiders, to the point that many enclaves regard their technology as a sacred entity worth of the same reverence typically reserved for gods. Many J'jiwe, especially elders who remember life in bondage, have a strong distaste for surface dweller culture that extends to a skepticism towards any knowledge that comes from the surface. Most enclaves caution young gnomes against "unhealthy curiosity" about surface dweller life, and some even go so far as to ban the ownership of books written by outsiders.
Over the last 100 years or so a number of resettled J'jiwe have developed successful mines and metal refineries, leading to numerous trading opportunities. In an effort to court favor, the Sovereignty of Kaeol recently granted them a seat on the High Council, which has not sat well with some of the more traditionally established factions in the nation. The deep gnomes find themselves at an interesting crossroads in their species' history, where they must balance opportunities for greater influence in the larger world with a reclusive culture that justifiably fears a return to servitude.