The Gnomes of Xurik
Structure
Gnomes are invited to join the Council of Xurik whenever it's members perceive that there is a need for their expertise or knowledge.
In common with most aspects of Gnomic society, there is no formal recognition or reward for being a member, you just turn up do whatever is needed and then go and do something else when your finished.
What?
That's not good enough for you?
Ok! Then members of the council typically wear traditional gnomic costumes when on Council business. This normally consists of a pointy red hat, although colours can vary depending on the individual's specific skillset.
There does not seem to be any perceived hierarchy within the Council itself. Instead, the Council will appoint a Project Lead to oversee specific tasks or goals based on the general principle of
'Well it was your stupid idea in the first place.'
During formal meetings, the Council employ's a Talking Stick.
No! don't be stupid of course the stick can't talk, what do you think this is some sort of fairyland?
The Talking Stick merely gives the holder the right to speak. So, as long as you hold onto the stick you get to propose any dumb idea you like and everyone else has to keep quiet.
Listening is optional.
Public Agenda
The Council of Xurik exists to guide and influence Gnome affairs.
In other word's they tell gnomes what to do, and for the most part, Gnomes do as they are told.
Assets
Foreign Relations
The Council makes no representations to the Imperial Authorities or to any Dwarven hold and is not recognised by them in any official way.
In fact, most non-Gnomes have never heard of the Gnomes of Xurik and even the ones that have probably don't know who they are or what they do. The exceptions being a few of the more effective intelligence-gathering organisations and a handful of folk with very close connections to the Gnomic race, such as Gnome friendly merchants, a few of the more eccentric noblemen and one or two Dwarfs.
However, most of these outsiders probably regard the Gnomes of Xurik as little more than a Gnomic guild or some sort of weird religious cult rather than an influential political body and so pay it little attention.
In fact, it's probably fair to say that most Gnomes consider the Council of Xurik to be a bunch of bloody idiots, who wear funny hats, and worship some non-existent God called Morris. It's therefore surprising that despite being almost universally under-rated the Gnomes of Xurik have almost complete influence over Gnomic affairs with even the most ridiculous schemes being implemented effectively by the entire Gnomic race right across the known world.
Mythology & Lore
There's a Storm Coming.
The coming of the storm has been foreseen by Nostrilamus one of the oldest of the Gnomic oneiromancers. In a series of appalling nightmares, this ancient Gnome has dreamt of a great evil befalling the world, the slaughter of thousands and, most terrible of all, the eventual annihilation of the Gnomic race, either crushed in battle or worked to death in the mines and factories of the Black Industries evil overlords. He probably ate too much strong cheese before going to bed. But nevertheless, with a trembling hand, Nostrilamus recorded all he had witnessed during those long dark nights of terror in his dream diary, and after further earnest prayers to Morris the Gnomic God of Dreams and Fancies asking for guidance he took his book of prophecies to the Gnomic Council of Xurik in the foothills of The World's Edge Mountains.Divine Origins
For centuries the Gnomes of Xurik have semi-secretly guided Gnomic affairs, protecting their race from exploitation and preparing them for times of strife. Like Halflings, Gnomes are small both in size and numbers, but unlike Halflings, they can't cook. They are therefore vulnerable to exploitation by larger and more numerous races, even their larger genetic cousins the Dwarf's are perceived as a potential threat with their warlike ways and lust for gold.
The Halflings found their own way to secure their safety by allying themselves to the Empire of man with the help of their pies.
The Gnomes took a slightly different approach. A Gnome called Xurik had an idea and called together some of the ablest illusionists, artisans and oneiromancers of the Gnomic race to form a secret council to protect their interests.
Founded by their namesake this secret council is an unelected, unofficial body, with new members being invited to join whenever the council perceives a gap in its knowledge and experience.
Tenets of Faith
The Gnomes of Xurik are part Religious Organisation, part Crafting Guild, and part Political Organisation.
Consequently, belief in the organisation is demonstrated by adhering to its instructions, no matter how stupid they might sound.
Thus when the Council declared 'The Year of the Pointy Red Hats' almost every gnome in the known world complied with the order.
Likewise during the 'Time of Compulsory Beards,' even female gnomes and children dutifully wore fake beards whenever travelling in public, and no Gnome ignores the Annual Fishing Championship.
Such edicts may seem pointless and stupid, and Gnomes often blame them on 'Those Bloody Idiots', but nevertheless, it seems to most Gnomes that the Gnomes of Xuric are either doing a good job or at least are relatively harmless and that if nothing else they give Gnomes something to have a jolly good moan and gossip about.
However, to non-Gnomes the impression created is that Gnomes are eccentric, given to unusual, short-lived fads and always putting on bizarre events and festivals. Which might actually be the intention as most other races view Gnomes as a joke and hardly worth worrying about.
You must be joking.
Type
Government, Leadership
Alternative Names
The Council; The Dream Makers; Those Bloody Idiots
Demonym
The Morris Men
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Related Ethnicities
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