Gnomes

Gnomes are a magical species that live in Zoiragn. Fully grown adults of either sex are approximately 12 inches tall. The average life expectancy of a Gnome is 70 years. There are four Gnome specialties, Plant, Animal, Water, and Light. Each Gnome only has powers related to their specialty. The gift is natural, but must be studied and practiced for significant advancement. Many Gnomes will choose a particular area of study to focus learning their powers.

Written language is based in English but has an abundance of consonants that are not all pronounced, similar to French. The ‘gn’ is used to make an ‘n’ sound throughout the Gnome language. Names in the Villages tend to be more traditional (like Ivy, the main character in the narrative), but names in the City aren’t usually common words and often contain unique letter combinations.

Gnomes typically marry within the same specialty, and therefore have children with similar powers to themselves. If Gnomes of two different specialties have a child, that child’s specialty will most often match one of their parents. In rare cases, such children develop another, or completely unique, specialty. Although there are no laws against inter-specialty marriage and child rearing, it is rare and those who partake are ridiculed.

Magic is spontaneous, but the availability of resources can increase the a magic user’s efficiency. Magic of manipulation, rather than creation, takes less energy. One example of this are Plant healers that carry seeds with them. Although they could spontaneously produce any plant but having seeds available makes the magic significantly easier. Using spontaneous magic the average Plant healer can only create 1 plant for every 5 they could if seeds, water, and light are available. Therefore, it is customary to have planters and watering cans in hospital rooms.

Children dress in neutrals before their powers develop, and their specialty is confirmed. After discovering their powers, low level Gnomes dress in pastels. As they study and harness their powers, Gnomes are permitted to take examinations to prove their skill. Passing an exam results in the Gnome graduating to a darker shade. The most skilled Gnomes dress in very dark colors, near black. Few Gnomes ever make it to this stage, but most will at least pass the first 2 or 3 exams and wear a medium shade. The color worn corresponds to the Gnome’s specialty: Plant is green, Animal is red, Water is blue, and Light was yellow. There are no laws pertaining to this rule, but it is well accepted by the Gnomes, particularly following the Light Betrayal.

Only the Plant, Animal, and Water Gnomes live in Zioragn. After the Light Betrayal, the Lights were banished to the Bjeelign mountains. The last known encampment of the Lights was at the base of the mountains. Not much is known about the current state of the Lights. A popular belief in Zioragn is the hope that they’ve died out. This might be wishful thinking. Although most Gnomes would struggle to survive in such cold, the Lights can generate their own heat which could still be sustaining them.