 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 stature 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.
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