Hey everybody Jorphdan here the PH is silent and in this video I’d like to talk about
gnomes!
I’ve talked a bit about gnomes in a few videos now, links in the doobly do for more
info but let’s attempt to cover them in more depth.
It’s not a tall subject, and I won’t be short with you.
I think we can talk about gnomes without being small to one another.
Let’s dive in.
Gnomes are also known as the Forgotten Folk.
This is because of their somewhat sad history in the Forgotten Realms.
They were enslaved by other races for generations, and when finally winning their freedom Gnomes
have enjoyed their anonymity and the protection it offers.
The Gnomes believe they came from gems in the earth.
The different gnomes arose from different gems, and this also is to explain their love
of gems as well as their urge to make homes in the ground.
Diamonds became rock gnomes, emeralds became forest gnomes, and rubies turned into deep
gnomes.
The head of the gnomish pantheon Garl Glittergold found these gnomes and breathed life into them.
I like to think they hatched like eggs, but legend says the gems opened like flowers releasing
the first gnomes.
Garl Glittergold is a tricky deity that, like his gnome children, loves to pull pranks.
The gnomes were first enslaved by the Kobolds, and legend says Garl Glittergold tricked the
Kobold deity Kurtulmak, collapsing the earth around him and trapping him in an endless
underground maze.
This freed the gnomes but Kobolds and Gnomes have had a strong hatred for one another ever
since.
Gnomes were also slaves in ancient civilizations such as the Netheril and Calimshan.
Gnomes are industrious intelligent, and good natured.
Despite the Kobolds they have few enemies and live life keeping a low profile.
They avoid larger folk with their magic and empires keeping instead to tiny out of the
way settlements.
Gnomes in this sense are rather boring and their history doesn’t have much to it.
They didn’t conquer any areas of Faerun.
They didn’t fight in any great wars.
This is why they are often referred to as the “Forgotten Folk.”
They were always present in Forgotten Realms history but never in focus, never in the forefront
of story.
Gnomes average slightly over 3 feet tall and weigh 40 to 45 pounds and can live up to 5
centuries.
Although this height, weight, and lifespan can differ with different sub races of gnomes
that we’ll get into later.
They love life and cherish every moment they have.
Not often taking up an adventuring path, the gnome that starts their adventure will squeeze
as much enjoyment out of it as possible.
Gnomes love jokes, pranks, and puns; but can be very dedicated to their more serious tasks.
This makes them excellent inventors, tinkers, alchemists and engineers.
There are three types of gnomes, Deep Gnomes, Forest Gnomes, and Rock Gnomes.
Deep Gnomes are the gray skinned gnomes that live in the Underdark.
Many often think they are evil like the underdark cousins of Dwarves or Elves.
But the Svirfneblin as they are known are just as friendly as their surface counterparts.
Note though the underdark has hardened them to outsiders, knowing they can’t trust the
Duergar or the Drow many Deep Gnomes keep to themselves.
Much of the deep gnome history is lost.
They don’t keep records.
Instead living in the moment.
Because of this there have been many Deep Gnome cities scattered throughout the underdark
but they become abandoned when needed and new ones will spring up.
The most famous Deep Gnome city is Blingdenstone founded in -690 DR.
There is information on this one because of a famous renegade Drow that lived with the
deep gnomes for a while before making his way to the surface and Mithral Hall.
Forest Gnomes are very shy and reclusive.
Many larger folk will “discover” them nearby only to learn they’ve been living
in the area for centuries.
These particular gnomes go to great lengths to be quiet and avoid contact with others.
They have a great love of nature and often stay in large forests away from civilization.
These gnomes prefer to be left alone.
Not having a detailed history it’s hard to say the impact forest gnomes have had on
the Forgotten Realms.
It’s possible that numerous forests and beasts were saved by their silent and sneaky
intervention.
Sadly no history books tell the brave tales of the forest gnomes.
Forest gnomes are not distrustful of others, and only wish for you to enjoy the forest
as they do.
They are often surprised when others have interest in them, as they don’t fancy themselves
as anything special.
But it might be that very attitude towards themselves and their surroundings that make
them truly someone to admire.
Few forest gnomes take up adventuring.
Not calling themselves and adventurer they still might thwart an evil plot and protect
others and their forest home.
If left with the possibility they’d much rather stay home in peace.
While staying home they do take up craftsmanship and become experts in those skills.
Forest gnomes make excellent bards, druids, even clerics but few gnomes consider themselves
warriors.
Seeing a ranger or fighter forest gnome would be something unusual for sure.
Rock Gnomes are the gnomes most people in Faerun are familiar with.
These gnomes are an inquisitive people and can be found all over Faerun as technicians,
alchemists, and inventors.
As do all gnomes they have an uncanny sense with illusion magic and also make wonderful
illusionist wizards.
Rock Gnomes enjoy life in all it’s ways, from work, to play, to study.
It’s the process and the journey that are important to a Rock Gnome not necessarily
the goal.
These gnomes are counted as one of the major races of Faerun, despite being in less population
than elves, dwarves, or humans.
There has never been a gnome empire or even a country but if the rock gnomes have a homeland
it would be the islands of Lantan.
Lantan lies north of the Chultan peninsula and is home to the largest population of gnomes
in Faerun.
It is an island of wondrous invention and bustling commerce.
It was here that Gond the god of invention appeared to the world as a gnome.
Many young rock gnomes took this as a sign that it was time for the gnomes to invent
a new way of life.
To solidify themselves within Faerun’s history.
Lantan is also home to the invention of smoke powder; which is basically gunpowder.
This created weapons that have the power of a wizard but take little skill and understanding
to master.
This secret was given to them by Gond for sheltering him during the time of troubles.
It’s banned by many cities but the Church of Gond in Lantan freely manufactures smoke
powder.
And that’s it for today.
Gnomes are fun and I think you could have a great time being an atypical gnome such
as a forest gnome ranger, possibly a beastmaster with a badger friend, you could even ride
your pet as a mount.
Thank you to my patrons on patreon that keep these videos going.
If you’d like to become a patron click the link in the description for more information!
If you’re interested we also have Forgotten Realms Explained Shirts and Jorphdan University
Hoodies for sale.
Again links in the doobly do.
Thanks so much for watching and sharing these videos with your gaming group.
I’ll see you all in the next video.