What is a gnome anyway? Seems like, in most fantasy worlds, they’re a catchall for any short race other than dwarves.
Well, for those who follow these weekly Lore Notes, you’ll see that we’ve decided to do something about that. Instead of the weekly picture of Stormy reviewing the information brought to her by her staff, we’ve managed to snag one of her senior information specialists, Randell Vexley. Say Hi, Randell.
Thanks, Randell! Now in the world of Blood & Iron, gnomes are not dwarves. No, sir. Don’t even think about saying that around either a dwarf or a gnome. They’d sooner break your teeth than admit there’s anything in common between them.
See what I mean. Take it easy, Randell.
Gnomes are the smartest, overall, of all of the clades. They are as nimble as a dwarf, but they are faster on their feet. They don’t tend to fill up a room with their presence, as dwarves do. They’re more humble. They can see light wavelengths most other humans can’t. So they can literally read and write invisibly. And they can see in the dark.
How do they do that? I don’t know. Neither do they. But they found out very early on that they were pretty good at it. Trust me, you do not want to go to sleep in the woods if you know there’s a squad of gnomes in the area. Not if you want to wake up with your head attached to the rest of you.
Despite that, or perhaps, because of it, gnomes are the friendliest of the clades. They are generous to a fault. Hard working, and did I say they were smart?
Glad you like this Note, Randell.
Next week, we’ll look at the Merfolk. They’re not nearly as nice a group as gnomes, but who is?
(psst. Hey, you! Yes. Wait until he leaves the room. You don’t want him to think he’s…Shhshs. He’s coming back…)
Randell! Sure, I’ve got more time to talk…