Gnomish Coteries

The Gnomish Coteries date back to the fall of the Eternal Empire of Aelileia. They make up the population of freed gnomish slaves, who instead of following their dwarven relatives under the earth, instead elected to delve into the wilderness, and live as their ancestors, the Fey, had. Within the wilds, focusing on pursuits of thought and personal fulfillment.

## Government

### Conclaves

Individual gnomish coteries are ruled by councils known as conclaves, which are composed of individuals who are respected enough by the rest of the coterie to be trusted to make governing decisions. How such an individual gains membership into a conclave varies, but it can include anything from being a knowledgeable mage, a wise philosopher, a charming diplomat, or a gifted warrior. In essence, any trait that makes enough people feel as though their input would be useful within matters of government.

#### Trials

Conclaves are gifted with the power to judge criminals and dole out punishments for wrongdoers. As the gnomish coteries do not have codified laws, judgements are instead made based on the cultural and moral beliefs of that particular coterie. The conclave will take into evaluation the circumstances and reasons behind the crime before making their judgement, leading to many trials resulting in philosophical debates between conclaves members on how criminals should be punished.

## Religion

### Dreams

Dreams have special religious significance for gnomes. For gnomes, dreams are precious gifts, things of wonder where anything is possible, to be enjoyed and cherished whenever they are had. Nearly all gnomes tend to have pleasant, whimsical dreams. Bad ones tend to be viewed as a source of concern for the gnome's mindset, indicating that they are somehow troubled.

### Patrons

Religion among coterie gnomes takes the form of the veneration of powerful Fey spirits. Each coterie has a particular Fey entity that they take as the patron of their village. Usually, such entities are powerful Archfey, and due to this fact, it is not uncommon for members of the various coteries to become warlocks.

### Sepulchers

Gnomes honor their patron by taking actions pleasing to them, and tending to a hallowed location known as a sepulcher. All coteries are built around sepulchers, which are natural formations such as a crystal filled cave, a mystical grove, or about an ancient tree, which are particularly magically potent, where the Veil hangs thinly, and the influence of their patron can more keenly be felt, allowing the coterie to commune with them for guidance. Often, sepulchers have Fey crossings open up in them, and it is many a gnome who ventures into such crossings to explore the Feywild when they do. On many occasions, a coterie's patron will open such crossings themselves, and allow their devotees a chance to visit their domain and speak to them personally.

#### The Long Dream

When a gnome dies, it is customary to lay them to rest within their coterie sepulcher. How this is done varies based on what type of environment the sepulcher is found in. It may involve being covered in the leaves of a great tree or set adrift into a mystical pond. However, the mystical power of the sepulcher always results in the body vanishing, not by means of decay, but by means of magic. Once this is done, the spirit of the deceased is transferred into what is called a Dreamscape, a small, idyllic realm free of want and care, sustained by the magic of the sepulcher and crafted by the coterie's patron, which houses the spirits of all who have been laid to rest in a sepulcher. Entering the Dreamscape is referred to by coterie gnomes as entering the Long Dream.

#### The Short Dream

By entering what is called the Short Dream, is possible to commune with any soul who was entered a sepulcher's Dreamscape by sleeping within a sepulcher. As one sleeps, they may enter the Dreamscape temporarily, and may wander the realm as they please, conversing with whoever they wish, or simply having some fun play time. This is commonly done by many gnomes within a coterie, and due to the fact that it is possible, gnomes do not view death in nearly as negative a light as other races.

#### Protectiveness

Due to the extreme significance of sepulchers, gnomes are unsurprisingly quite protective of them, as they have learned from experience the magical power of sepulchers is often sought by unscrupulous mages eager for power. Rarely do they show them to outsiders, and even the most timid gnome is likely to defend such a place with their lives.

## Society

### Historical Recordings

Among most coteries, history is kept primarily by word of mouth. However, such oral traditions differ from that of other cultures, in that the lorekeepers responsible for keeping track of them must memorize said records in the exact way that they are taught. It is permissible to discuss and tell tales of historical events however the lorekeeper wishes, but when training their fellow lorekeepers, historical records are always recited exactly.

### Magic

Coterie gnomes find magic everywhere in their lives. Due to having close ties with the natural world, druidcraft is fairly common among many coteries, and as a result of closeness with the Fey, warlocks are far from uncommon. Coteries often also have members who teach their children the incantations and rituals necessary for sorcery through word of mouth, in a similar vein to how historical records are kept.

### Nature

The coterie gnomes exist specifically due to their ties to the natural world and the Fey. Settlements are always located deep in the wilderness, where the coteries can be surrounded by the wilds. They have a great respect for the natural world, and believe strongly in taking no more than is necessary from it to stay alive and happy.

### Outlook

Gnome of the coteries believe that life is a gift to be enjoyed and cherished. One should focus on pursuing happiness, both for themselves and those they love. As a result, coterie gnomes tend to be very kind, lighthearted individuals, not taking many things to seriously, and taking up whatever pursuit brings them the most enjoyment. Gnomes do not really have a concept of careers or jobs, merely practicing whatever activity they enjoy the most at any particular point in time. Additionally, gnomes do not practice marriage, as few would wish to be so bound in the eyes of some law. Instead, lovers stay together for as long as the two make each other happy, and should the two ever lose interest in their relationship, they will simply separate. At least, this is how it should occur in theory. Reality tends to often be much more complex then that.

## Economy

Coteries are generally self sufficient, isolated settlements who rarely trade with outsiders. Food production is usually seen to by those who enjoy cultivating plants, either magically or naturally, or those who enjoy hunting. Many forms of artistry exist among coteries, from jewel making, carving, to smithing. Generally, such products are kept within a particular coterie, but they have no trouble trading with nearby coteries. However, they do not have any form of proper currency. On the occasions where gnomes leave their coteries, many find it a bit shocking how other peoples put so much value in shiny pieces of metal, which to the gnome, are often not beautiful or utilitarian enough to warrant the value placed on them.