The Gnomelands of Kuldenfirn

Nestled in the rugged, cold northern reaches of Adhorin, the Gnomelands of Kuldenfirn are a mystical and secluded region, cloaked in mystery and beauty. The gnomes who inhabit this region have carved a unique existence amid the mountainous terrain, where the temperate climate is harsh and the wilderness remains largely untamed. While much of the continent has been mapped and charted, Kuldenfirn retains a reputation for its elusive beauty and secretive people, its snowy forests, winding rivers, and strange rock formations hiding wonders known only to the native gnomes.   The gnomes of Kuldenfirn are well adapted to the rugged terrain, thriving in scattered settlements that blend with the land around them. Their mastery of both stone and illusion magic allows them to craft places of wonder that seem to disappear into the land. Despite their love for invention, gnomes in Kuldenfirn are deeply attuned to nature and its spirits, seeing themselves as protectors of the land's many mysteries. Below are the major landmarks and settlements of Kuldenfirn.  

Landmarks of Kuldenfirn

 

The Twin Peaks of Faerduun

These iconic twin mountains are visible from miles away, their summits eternally capped with snow. Legends say that they were once the bodies of two ancient gnomish guardians who turned to stone to defend Kuldenfirn from an invading dragon. At their peaks lie ancient stone carvings and hidden caverns, many rumored to contain powerful, ancient gnomish artifacts. The gnomes consider the Twin Peaks sacred and climb them annually for a pilgrimage in honor of the ancestors. It’s also said that in certain light, the faces of the guardians can still be seen, keeping watch over the land.  

The Glimmerwood Forest

The Glimmerwood is a dense, frost-covered forest that shimmers with a faint, magical glow when the sun hits the trees at dawn and dusk. Enchanted flora and fauna thrive here, including trees with silvered bark and strange, glowing mushrooms. The forest has an ethereal quality, and it is rumored that hidden fae creatures live within, invisible to all but the most perceptive. It is also home to a rare, magical type of wood called Faerwood, which gnomes use to craft powerful, enchanted items. Only a few know the proper rituals for harvesting it without incurring the wrath of the forest’s mysterious guardians.  

The Silent Lake

This hauntingly beautiful, crystal-clear lake is known for its unnatural stillness. The water, as dark as the midnight sky, reflects everything like a flawless mirror, and no ripples disturb its surface—even in the strongest winds. Rumor holds that spirits of fallen gnomes rest beneath its depths, silently watching over their descendants. The lake is also rich with mineral deposits, some of which are harvested by the gnomes for enchanting purposes, though they are careful to do so in harmony with the lake’s sanctity.  

The Emberfrost Caverns

These caverns stretch deep below Kuldenfirn’s surface, a network of crystalline tunnels and frozen rivers glowing with an eerie red and blue bioluminescence. Deep within, rare fire-ice crystals form, radiating both heat and cold—a unique resource that the gnomes use in magical experiments and inventions. Only a few brave souls venture into the deepest reaches of the caverns, as strange creatures are rumored to lurk in the shadows. The caverns are also known for their echoing chimes, a natural resonance that almost seems to sing, lending a haunting beauty to the depths.  

The Rhymefalls

A towering waterfall that freezes in stunning formations each winter, the Rhymefalls is a popular site for gnomes who study ice magic. The frozen waters form crystalline structures that resonate when touched, creating haunting melodies. Each spring, the ice thaws, and the waterfall roars back to life, releasing shimmering particles that are said to inspire dreams and visions in those who breathe them in. A nearby grove is used as a meditation site by gnomes seeking enlightenment or communion with the land’s spirits.  

Settlements of Kuldenfirn

 

The Capital of Kuldenfirn: Glorisdok

    Nestled within the heart of Kuldenfirn’s mountains lies Glorisdok, the bustling capital of the Gnomelands. Built on tiers that climb up a valley surrounded by steep, evergreen slopes, this city is a testament to gnomish ingenuity and relentless industry. Glorisdok is an unceasing hive of activity; here, overworked inventors, clockmakers, and alchemists work tirelessly, often to the point of exhaustion, on their latest creations. A haze of smoke and the constant drone of machines hangs over the city, giving it a sense of frenetic urgency. Though it’s a place of remarkable creativity and craftsmanship, Glorisdok is often spoken of with equal parts awe and pity by outsiders—while productive and prosperous, it is also in the grip of an endless work cycle that leaves little room for rest.   City Layout and Districts   Glorisdok is structured in four primary districts, each a vital cog in the capital’s machinery of industry and invention:   The Forgefane District (Industrial Hub)
Known simply as “The Fane” to locals, the Forgefane District is the heart of Glorisdok’s industry, where fires never cease, and metal clanging is constant. Huge smokestacks pump clouds of steam and smoke into the air, and the ground vibrates from the relentless activity of the forges. Here, gnomes forge tools, weapon parts, and a multitude of intricate gears and components, which are then distributed across Kuldenfirn. Steam-powered conveyor belts carry raw materials from one forge to the next, allowing work to progress at a feverish pace.  

Primary Trade Goods: Ironwork, steel tools, gears, weapon components.

Infrastructure: Massive workshops, blast furnaces, steam machinery, conveyor systems.

Notable Inhabitans: Jindle Drosspatch, an exhausted but relentless blacksmith foreman who’s known to work 20-hour shifts and motivates her team with both fervor and a borderline obsession for efficiency.

Clockspire Heights (Innovation District)
Clockspire Heights is a towering series of platforms and clock towers perched on the upper tier of the city. It is here that inventors and engineers design and test their latest creations, from complex timepieces to fantastical contraptions like mechanical spiders and automated looms. Clockspire Heights is both admired and feared by citizens, as failed experiments are known to cause frequent, sometimes explosive accidents. Despite this, the district is a marvel of gnomish technology, filled with gears, levers, and constantly ticking clocks.  

Primary Trade Goods: Precision instruments, clocks, automatons, scientific apparatuses.

Infrastructure: Labs, observatories, testing grounds, and high towers equipped with cranes for transporting inventions.

Notable Inhabitant: Klinna Weftleap, a nervous but brilliant clockmaker known for her intricate designs and unfortunate habit of fainting from exhaustion mid-conversation.

The Elucidarium (Scholar’s District)
Home to Glorisdok’s brightest minds, the Elucidarium is a district devoted to knowledge, alchemy, and magical experimentation. Gnomes here work in crowded libraries, potion labs, and study halls, poring over ancient texts or brewing volatile potions. Here, scribes transcribe, alchemists distill, and spellwrights develop arcane devices. The Elucidarium is a place of quiet intensity, where the scholarly types are absorbed in endless research, hunched over their workstations under candlelight, and seldom break for more than a sip of lukewarm tea.  

Primary Trade Goods: Potions, alchemical ingredients, enchanted trinkets, rare manuscripts.

Infrastructure: Vaulted libraries, laboratories, alchemical gardens, quiet study rooms, and arcane wards to contain magical mishaps.

Notable Inhabitant: Professor Dillanby Clinkspire, a curmudgeonly scholar with a mind as sharp as his eyesight is poor; he’s known for his skill in alchemy and for his strong distaste for “disturbances”—which is to say, everything that isn’t reading or potion-making.

The Underburrows (Residential and Markets)
Carved into the mountainside, the Underburrows serve as the residential quarter and primary market hub of Glorisdok. Here, weary gnomes retire after their grueling shifts, though even in their homes, many continue to tinker on side projects or patch up prototypes by candlelight. The market area is crowded and loud, filled with hawkers selling everything from scrap metal to fresh produce and homemade gadgets. Though bustling and colorful, the Underburrows have an air of fatigue, with gnomes moving briskly from one place to another, often holding blueprints or spare parts under their arms.  

Primary Trade Goods: Everyday essentials, trinkets, scrap metal, food, simple household gadgets.

Infrastructure: Cozy burrow-homes, bustling open markets, modest food stalls, small taverns.

Notable Inhabitant: Farlin Thistlewhisk, an elderly gnome who runs a popular tavern called the Gear & Mug; he’s known for listening to patrons' woes and offering surprisingly insightful advice, though he often falls asleep mid-sentence.

Prominent Citizens   Chief Engineer Brindlefizz Tinklerum – The head of Clockspire Heights and a figure of authority in Glorisdok, Brindlefizz is infamous for his relentless drive and his unyielding pursuit of mechanical perfection. Always adorned in an oil-stained coat and magnifying goggles, he oversees the city’s engineering projects with an iron grip, demanding long hours from his workers.   Guildmaster Orin Coppercoil – Head of the Artificer’s Guild, Orin manages the output of the Forgefane District. A stout gnome with arms as thick as iron, he is an uncompromising and blunt overseer who keeps the forges running with ruthless efficiency. Orin is known for putting the Guild’s profits before worker welfare, leading to simmering resentment from the guild’s laborers.   Archivist Nara Weavereed – Keeper of the Elucidarium’s libraries and a passionate historian, Nara dedicates herself to preserving Kuldenfirn’s heritage. She’s one of the few citizens known to advocate for a slower, more thoughtful lifestyle, though her views are often drowned out by the ceaseless hum of productivity around her.   Trader Tilli Gildenfoot – A quick-talking, business-savvy gnome who operates a popular trade stall in the Underburrows. Tilli deals in rare parts, exotic ingredients, and small charms that she imports from neighboring lands. Her connections make her a valuable source of information and goods from outside the region.   Apprentice Fidds Quickshine – A young and promising apprentice working under Brindlefizz in Clockspire Heights, Fidds has a natural knack for invention. Despite being overwhelmed by the rigorous demands of his apprenticeship, he dreams of one day building an invention that will allow the workers of Glorisdok to finally take a break—a near-heretical notion in this city of ceaseless toil.  

Sprindlehollow

This bustling, underground city is one of Kuldenfirns largest settlements. Hidden beneath a mountain- side, Sprindlehollow is a labyrinth of caverns, winding tunnels, and glowing mushroom farms. The city's architecture is a marvel of gnomish engineering, with intricate gears and contraptions powering doors, lights, and transportation. Sprindlehollow is known for its innovative inventions and magic-infused technology. It is also home to the Council of Elders, who make decisions about Kuldenfirn’s defense and relations with the outside world.  

Willowbeak

Nestled near the edge of the Glimmerwood Forest, Willowbeak is a small, reclusive village that maintains close ties with the forest’s magical creatures. Its houses are built within the trunks of ancient, towering trees, and much of its activity revolves around the Glimmerwood’s resources. The villagers are skilled herbalists, alchemists, and druids, drawing upon the forest’s magical flora and fauna. The inhabitants consider themselves the forest's guardians, and only those with pure intentions are welcomed into their village.  

Frostspring

Frostspring is a humble settlement located by the banks of the Silent Lake. Known for its fishers and artisans, the village has a serene and somewhat eerie atmosphere, as its residents live in reverence of the lake’s spirits. Many of Frostspring’s residents are spirit-talkers or priests, communicating with ancestors and the natural world. Their craftwork is intricate and ethereal, often incorporating silver and enchanted crystals harvested with careful rituals from the lake. The village is known for its haunting, melodic chants that echo across the water during moonlit nights.  

Glimmerhold

A trading hub built at the entrance to the Emberfrost Caverns, Glimmerhold is known for its crystal markets and skilled miners. Unlike other settlements, Glimmerhold is a bustling, open-air town built within a series of cliffside terraces overlooking the mountains. Brightly colored banners and lanterns line its streets, and the air is always filled with the sound of hammers, chisels, and song. The people of Glimmerhold are hardy, strong-willed miners, crafters, and traders, who pride themselves on their independence and skill at handling the cavern’s many dangers.  

Rhymevale

Rhymevale is a quaint settlement situated near the Rhymefalls, home to gnomes deeply devoted to the study of ice and water magic. The village buildings are crafted from frosted stone and blue crystal, designed to shimmer like ice in sunlight. The residents of Rhymevale are scholars, mages, and musicians, inspired by the falls and dedicated to unlocking the secrets of winter’s magic. During the winter months, the town hosts an annual Frost Festival where gnomes showcase intricate ice sculptures, music, and magical performances to celebrate the beauty of the season.