Gnome
Gnomes exude an enthusiasm for living and this vibrancy is often expressed in ornate additions to their modest clothing. Being alive is the greatest thing in the world for Gnomes, and so they spend as much time as possible trying to enjoy it. Fast talkers, who often live undergroud, they love a good joke. Unlike the dwarves, gnome burrows are bright and happy, if well-concealed.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Gnomes love names, and most have half a dozen or so. A gnome's mother, father, clan elder, aunts, and uncles each give the gnome a name, and various nicknames from just about everyone else might or might not stick over time. Gnome names are typically variants on the names of ancestors or distant relatives, though some are purely new inventions. When dealing with humans and others who are "stuff" about names, a gnome learnes to use no more than three names: a personal name, a clan name, and a nickname, choosing the one in each category that's the most fun to say.
Male Names: Alston, Alvyn, Boddynock, Brocc, Burgell, Dimble, Eldon, Erky, Fonkin, Frug, Gerbo, Gimble, Glim, Jebeddo, Kellen, Namfoodle, Orryn, Roondar, Seebo, Sindri, Warryn, Wrenn, Zook
Female Names: Bimpnottin, Breena, Caramip, Carlin, Donella, Duvamil, Ella, Ellyjobell, Ellywick, Lilli, Loopmottin, Lorilla, Mardnab, Nissa, Nyx, Oda, Orla, Roywyn, Shamil, Tana, Waywocket, Zanna
Clan Names: Beren, Daergel, Folkor, Garrick, Nackle, Murnig, Ningel, Raulnor, Scheppen, Timbers, Turen
Nicknames: Aleslosh, Ashhearth, Badger, Cloack, Doublelock, Filchbatter, Fnipper, Ku, Nim, Oneshoe, Pock, Sparklegem, Stumbleduck
Culture and Cultural Heritage
The most common gnomes in Cisum are the rock gnomes. They permeate every continent and island and outnumber their forest and salt cousins, with the exception of the tropical coasts and island chains such as the Acapellago. In these places, the salt gnomes are equally or more prevalent than rock gnomes. Forest gnomes remain the fewest, unless their hidden numbers are more than any other folk can rekon. Regardless of these distinctions, gnomes are some of the most cordial and vivacious people of Cisum. While not as welcoming as the halflings, gnomish hospitality rivals that of the halflings any day.
Known for their quick wit, as well as their learned knowledge, gnomes often favor lifes as skilled tradespersons or wandering scamps and troubadors. Some venture into other studies or lifestyles. Forest gnomes, for example, may adopt the ways of the druid to commune even more closely with their woodland home. Salt gnomes also tend to be more seafaring than other gnomes and feel most alive sailing the seas of Cisum.
History
Gnome history dates back about as far as that of the elves and dwarves. Being fewer in number than either of those two races meant that their isolationism only further delayed their participation in the wider world. Even gnomish historians aren't quite sure when their diaspora happened, but the various clans have too much in common to not have come from a common heritage. This gap in their collective history often leads to some of the larger clans claiming they were the original clan from which all other gnomes sprang. To this day, no one has found real proof in favor of one clan over another.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Gnomes don't look like a threat and can quickly disarm suspicion with good humor. The common folk are often curious about gnomes, likely never having seen one before, but they are rarely hostile or fearful. It's rare for a gnome to be hostile or malicious unless he or she has suffered a grievous injury. Gnomes know that most races don't share their sense of humor, but they enjoy anyone's company just as they enjoy everything else they set out to do.
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