The Withycombe Bloodline:
The gnomes of Bloodline Withycombe descend from the original burghal gnomes,
who left the forests for the shelter of the Human Empire. They reside in
brick-lined compounds deep underground, and they often serve host families
as expert gardeners and housekeepers. Their attention to detail and manual
dexterity makes them skillful tailors and jewelry makers--as well as expert
thieves. The true calling of the Withycombe gnomes lies in mechanical design
and tinkering, however, as they compensate for their diminutive statue with
elaborate labor-saving devices. A cheerful people, the Withycombes delight
in toys, gems, and poetry (however bad).
The Winedotter Bloodline:
The gnomes of Bloodline Winedotter live beneath the cities of the elven nations.
Individual families of gnomes serve particular families of elves, and they
take the role of servant very seriously (many wear livery marked with their
elven family's crest). Their passion is winemaking and wine tasting, though
Winedotter gnomes are also famous for their clocks and music boxes. A matriarchal
society, the Winedotters are particular devoted to female Arkati, and to
those lesser spirits who act as servants to the Arkati. Others among the
bloodline serve as mystics, using starstones to read the past and future.
The Aledotter Bloodline:
The gnomes of Bloodline Aledotter live outside the caverns of the dwarves,
often sneaking inside to glean information about metallurgy and forging.
Aledotter gnomes supply the other bloodlines with metals and weaponry; over
time this role has expanded to encompass the entire inter-bloodline trade.
These gnomes are particularly proud of their size, believing that it gives
them an advantage over larger, clumsier races; as a result, Aledotter women
are known to choose their mates on the sole basis of stature. Aledotter gnomes
rarely worship the gods on a personal level, though respect for Eonak and
Gosaena is deeply embedded into their cultural lives.
The Nylem Bloodline:
The gnomes of Bloodline Nylem love nothing better than a good joke, preferably
at someone's expense. Where Withycombe gnomes act for the good of their hosts,
the Nylem undermine with dirty tricks. They often select targets who deserve
punishment for some failing or flaw, but in other circumstances these merry
pranksters act with no moral purpose at all. Most Nylem are profoundly
irreligious, though Cholen and Jastev receive respect. The cultural life
of the bloodline surrounds the roast, and no acquaintance of a Nylem gnome
is spared their caustic wit.
The Vylem Bloodline:
The gnomes of Bloodline Vylem are the proudest of their race, and they brook
no disrespect from other gnomes. Worshippers of the Lornon pantheon with
a special devotion to Eorgina, the Vylem are ruled by adolescent queens whose
every whim is law. Vylem men always defer to Vylem women, who tend to be
imperious as a result. Many Vylem men chose a life of chastity, for reasons
best left unsaid. Along among the burghal gnomes, the Vylem are self-sufficient,
believing it demeaning to work for--or even steal from--the other (inferior)
races.
The Neimhean Bloodline:
The gnomes of Bloodline Neimhean live in silence and shadow, in and among
the larger burghal bloodlines. A society of assassins and thieves, the Neimhean
mask their identity from all but fellow initiates. The very name "Neimhean"
is anathema to all but the Rosengift gnomes, who supply the group with poisons.
Rarely will a gnome tolerate the presence of a Neimhean, even one who renounces
membership in the group. So vicious and permanent is the revenge taken on
oathbreakers that one may safely assume that a gnome who speaks openly about
Neimhean cultural practice is a fraud.
|
