Fairnock

Renown for its outlandish inventions and outrageous fashion, the city of Fairnock has long been an economic center of wealth and prosperity. Although dwarves may hold close their secret craft with stone and metal in the mountains, it was the Gnomes who first sought to extract the precious gems that glinted beneath the Cumdilthal Hills. Now, nestled against the foot of those hills, the city of Fairnock marks the entrance to a labyrinth of passages, tunnels and mines that provide a constant source of these fabled gemstones for trade and purchase. Trolley cart tracks can been seen criss-crossing the roads of the city, serving as a constant reminder of Fairnock's primary industry.

Above all else, Fairnockians value invention and craftsmanship, and hold skilled artisans in the highest regard. Invention simply for the sake of invention is seen as an art form, making Fairnock a city of clocks and gears and automatons, as well as many far less useful mechanisms and magical devices. Many Gnomes have studied some magic and can be quite proficient, especially in the use of charms and enchantments, but most see magic as a supplement to their craftsmanship, and a way to elevate the mechanisms they create, rather than a pursuit in and of itself. Fashion is another form of artistic expression regarded highly throughout the city, and it is not uncommon for trends to change within the week, although most Fairnockian styles can be identified by their bright, loud colors and patterns, and bold statement pieces based around aesthetics rather than functionality.

Generous and hospitable, if often quite eccentric, Fairnockians are quite welcoming to outsiders, and often view them as new sources of entertainment and information. Most Gnomes in Fairnock worship the Lords of the Golden Hills, and their religious expressions often take the form of festivals, revelries, and celebrations during which all industry in the city shuts down and everyone devotes themselves to the festivities. These happen quite often, although the most notable of these festivals is the Communion of Laughter which is held in honor of Garl Glittergold, the leader of the Lords of the Golden Hills. This festival happens on the 13th day of each month, and consists of joke-telling contests, communal meals, dancing, prayers, storytelling, and gifts and monetary donations to those in need. Craftsmanship itself is also seen as one of the highest expressions of religious worship and devotion, and it is not uncommon for Gnomes seeking guidance to offer up as an offering at the temples some crafted token or trinket they made with their own hands.

The highest position in the Fairnockian government is the "Great Craftsman," an office which is currently held by Lorick Flodwigel Trofertee the Third. This position is democratically elected every four years, and any Fairnockian can both vote and run for office. Election and reelection campaigns tend to be grand affairs, filled with vigorous debates, city-wide picnics paid for from the pockets of the candidates, and a series of tests voted on by the general public of the city. Last election was particularly notable as it featured a record breaking three hundred candidates for office, and the tests included walking on one's hands around the upper gardens, wiggling one's ears while singing the Fairnockian national anthem, and eating as much brambleberry pie as one possibly could without throwing up. Fairnock also has an extensive bureaucracy, and these hard-working civil servants are the ones who truly keep the city functioning smoothly, administering contracts and city funds, and handling all the extensive paperwork and permits for everyday life in Fairnock.

The city itself, although protected by various clever magical charms, does not have a standing army, and the only military presence in Fairnock is the Craftsman's Guard, which are far more notable for their iconic large feathered caps than their ability in combat. As such, Fairnock maintains a careful neutrality during these dangerous times, seeking not to antagonize the Empire, but continuing to quietly trade with all parties in order to avoid any attention from the rest of Forlunhein.