#askgnome

[loominggaia]

why are gnomes so populous (or at least, populous enough to be in the top 5 most populous species)? IIRC, they're not that prolific of breeders?

To answer this, I must talk about the history of gnomes for a moment. All gnomes descend from just three ancient tribes in Umory-Ond. These tribes had a lot of interaction with eachother and developed a lot of cultural similarities before they travelled overseas to new lands.

Even in modern times, many gnomes adhere to these ancient, traditional ways of life. That's because their size makes it hard for them to interact with larger peoples and pick up new ways. They tend to stick to enclaves their own kind, so their cultures don't change much.

Traditionally, gnomes had a lot of children. They can afford to do this much easier than other species, because frankly, their size means that resources go a lot further for them. A loaf of bread feeds one human for one day. But that same loaf of bread feeds an entire gnome family for a week! Clothes can be expensive, but gnomes only need a tiny scrap of fabric to make a whole outfit. You get the idea...

Because of their small size, they often go unnoticed and unchallenged by other peoples. Gnomes have avoided a lot of conflicts throughout history because they were not regarded as a threat to anyone. Thousands of gnomes take up very little land and resources compared to thousands of centaurs, so other peoples were not fighting them for these things very often. Less wars + less death = more gnomes survive and go on to breed. There has never been a gnome-specific genocide in Looming Gaia's history, which cannot be said for any other species.

Today, most gnome families have between 2-4 children. In the past, 6-10 children was typical. Though they have a fewer children than their ancestors, all the other factors still apply: they rarely die to war or struggle to acquire resources.

Also, their traditional cultures encourage strong community while discouraging deviance, so they are less likely to suffer from mental health problems, addictions, and general dysfunction which claims the lives of most other species. Gnome communities are known to be rather conservative and even xenophobic at times, but these communities are also very supportive of their own kind.

Isolated, destitute gnomes are quite rare. Even if their families don't support them, gnomes can easily sustain themselves on the leftovers of larger peoples without facing the typical consequences. They can also live among animals with their natural affinity for beasts.

In some areas, "homeless" gnomes infest the houses of larger peoples like mice do. The homeowners may not notice for a long time because the gnomes are so small, and their impact is small too. Entire gnome communities have been discovered dwelling in peoples' walls or attics, surviving on dinner scraps for generations! Some homeowners are aware, and choose to allow this because the gnomes can actually be beneficial, by chasing away more destructive pests like rodents while asking for very little in return.

Now imagine a family of trolls trying to pull that off...

I will also mention that the majority of gnomes do not pay taxes or use gold as currency at all, even if they live within Great Kingdom jurisdiction. They tend to isolate in their own little communities, to the point that many are not even registered as citizens and the kingdoms don't realize they exist (or just don't care because they have such a small impact anyway). Gnomes take care of their own kind for the most part, and without the crushing weight of capitalism pushing down on them, they are more inclined to raise big families.

Their small size makes it easy for gnomes to live just about anywhere, even in seemingly barren areas that could never support larger species.

Sometimes it pays to be small!

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Questions/Comments?

Lore Masterpost

Read the Series

[loominggaia]

Do other peoples besides centaurs use special or unique furniture that humans don't?

Yes! A lot of this depends on region too. For instance, in some regions people use chairs, and in others they prefer to sit on cushions or just the ground. In some regions people use eating utensils, and in others they use their hands to eat. So the following isn't true globally, just in some places.

With that said...

All heavyweight species require heavyweight-rated furniture. Stuff like tables, chairs, bed frames, and so on are made of tougher materials to withstand the extra weight of these species. Of course these furniture pieces are much larger too.

Chairs made for ogres have a gap for their tails to poke through. More often, these chairs don't have a back at all, so they're more like stools.

Dishes and utensils are bigger and burlier to accommodate heavyweight species. These things have to survive the heavyweights' great strength and crushing jaws. Normal forks and spoons just bend like paperclips, and normal glass dishes break too easily. Heavyweights typically use dishes made of wood, metal, or stone.

Trolls have massive hands, so there are a variety of troll-specific objects like tools and dishes with fatter handles.

Heavyweights' objects in general are bigger. For example, a watering can meant for middleweight species might hold one or two gallons of water. But heavyweights are strong enough to hold much more, so their watering can would seem ridiculously large to a human.

Ogres and trolls don't typically use mattresses, and if they do, they're just hay or animal pelts spread on the floor. This is because their skin is so rough that they tear through fabrics quickly. If an ogre lays on your couch, I'm sorry to say your upholstery is not long for this world...

Minotaur dwellings have tall, keyhole-shaped doorways to accommodate large horns. (Fauns also have doors like this, but smaller)

Gnomes repurpose objects meant for larger species all the time. A spool of thread, for instance, might make a nice end table for a gnome. A child's dollhouse can even be converted into a real house in some cases!

Many gnomes find this tacky and don't wish to use hand-me-down trash from other species. Instead, they make their own furniture out of natural materials around them. They braid fur and hair of larger creatures into ropes or weave it into tapestries. Since they're so small, gnomes are capable of extremely fine detail work. No one makes finer jewelry or dollhouse furniture than they do. "Crafted by gnomes" is an attractive selling point for some objects.

Chairs meant for roshava have four arm rests instead of two.

Sirenes don't really use furniture underwater, but they do use it on the shore, and of course it must be made out of waterproof materials. You won't see sirenes sitting on cotton upholstery, which holds water and gets moldy. Instead, they prefer cushions and fabrics woven from water-repellent fibers like grasses and seaweed. This goes for cecaelia as well.

You'll never find stairs in a gorgon house because this species doesn't have legs. For the record, gorgons can climb stairs, but it's awkward and not exactly safe for them. Instead, they prefer smooth ramps and elevators. Wheelchair-accessible infrastructure doubles as gorgon-accessible!

Of course, all furniture meant for dworfs is shorter than it is for other species.

That's all I can think of at the moment!

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Questions/Comments?

Lore Masterpost

[loominggaia]

How do gnomes keep track of their aging, given their magic death clock? Also what exactly kills them once they hit 400yrs old? Do they kind just “shut off” or does something else happen? What methods have gnomes used to attempt to escape this fate?

This is a mysterious phenomenon that still stumps researchers today. The gnome's internal "death clock" has proven to be quite precise, right down to the hour. It begins ticking down from the moment a gnome takes their first breath out of the womb, and it stops ticking 3,504,000 hours later...that's 400 years!

Because of this, all gnomes have the same natural lifespan. Of course there are some things that can cause premature death, like illness or injury, but healthy gnomes will simply "run out the clock", so to speak. If they make it to their 400th year, they just go to sleep and don't wake up again. Their organs suddenly shut down, even if they were healthy just an hour ago, and the body dies.

Gnomes can do a few things to extend their lives. Being a divine, contracting vampirism, and stealing souls can freeze their clock. There are some anti-aging potions and enchanted objects that can buy them time as well.

However, many gnomes consider this deeply disrespectful to nature, so they refuse to extend their lives on principle. Others, like the vampiric gnomes in "The Aldfog Mystery", don't seem to feel this way.

Because of this phenomenon, birthdays are a big deal to gnomes worldwide. They observe each one, but especially the actual day of birth. Parents record the day and hour that their child took their first breath in a special book. This book may be passed down through the generations, containing the birth and death dates of hundreds, even thousands of relatives and ancestors.

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Questions/Comments?

Lore Masterpost

[loominggaia]

Hello I’m a elven seelie man and I need some romantic advice. I’ve been seeing a gnome women for awhile now and ( a surprise I know, but a lovely one) and I’m thinking of making things alittle saucy tonight for our anniversary. This however will be our first time in bed together and well…. This is where I need some help. How would an elf like me, you know, bed a gnome? Given the size difference and all?

These are the questions that many are afraid to ask, but the answers are crucial to know! Sometimes romance blossoms between two different species, and they may be two very different sizes. How they choose to express their love is up to them, but obviously special care must be taken or this relationship could very well end in tragedy.

This answer may contain NSFW text and images, so I'm placing it under a cut:

Gnomes are the smallest peoples on Looming Gaia, and they face many unique challenges because of this. The average gnome stands about 6 inches tall, meanwhile the average elf stands roughly 6 feet tall! You might think these two species were just never meant to be together, but relationships like these have happened many times throughout history and people have devised very creative ways to express intimacy.

Sometimes couples like these simply choose to have no-contact sex, in the interest of safety. They might strip, talk dirty, or put on a sexy show for their partner instead.

But if they choose to make contact, this must be done very carefully. Gnomes are pretty tough for their size, but they are by no means indestructible. Serious injuries and even deaths occur among gnome populations every year, just because they were trying to be intimate with someone they love. You don't want your lover to become another statistic, so no matter what you're doing, take it slow and always communicate what you're going to do before doing it.

You could start by giving her a simple back massage with the tip of your finger. A tiny dab of oil can go a long way, and it might just get her in the mood for more. If you're the type of person who loses control and flails around during sex, consider restraints such as cuffs or ropes to hold you steady. (Make sure your gnome girlfriend is able to undo any knots or locks before committing to this, otherwise you're going to have a real awkward visit with emergency services...)

If you're an elf, then chances are you know at least a spell or two. You can use magical energy to stimulate your partner. Fire, frost, or electricity spells can offer pleasant sensations in their weakest forms. Or, if either of you are skilled enough, you can cast a spell to temporarily make one of you larger or smaller just long enough to do the deed. There are countless ways to bring magic into the bedroom. This is limited only by your skill and creativity.

As I said before, full-contact sex must be done mindfully. Here is an example of a male centaur pleasing a female gnome, proving that even heavyweight species can safely do this. Note that she's elevated on a table instead of the floor, which keeps her safer. She's also laying on a cloth so the surface won't be too cold or hard on her skin. These are all things to keep in mind during your special time together.

You can use your tongue and fingers to please her if you're careful, though any kind of insertion probably isn't an option. However, you might be surprised to know that special sex toys have been designed just for this scenario! They have handles large enough for midweight and heavyweight species to hold, but the ends are small enough for gnome-sized peoples to, ahem, use. Once again though, and I can't stress this enough, BE CAREFUL! It wouldn't take much force to hurt her. You need a steady hand and a light touch.

Because of this, many people opt to just hold still and let their gnome partner do what they please with various parts of their bodies, like rubbing themselves against their larger partner's tongue or genitals.

Those are just a few ideas, but the things you two can do together are endless with a little creativity. Every gnome is an individual person, and your girlfriend surely has her own likes and dislikes in the bedroom. Communication is the best tool you have, so use it well and often!

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Questions/Comments?

Lore Masterpost

[loominggaia]

I don't remember hearing/reading a lot about gnomes, can you give us anything specific about gnomes that's specific to them? :0

For more information, the best places to check are the Gnomes article and the Ask-Gnome tag.

Here's some random gnome trivia:

They have a natural talent for enchanting animals. When they're young, they can only control small beasts like insects and mice. But as they get older and hone their magic, they graduate to bears, elephants, and in some cases even whales!

Gnomes may be small, but they are not defenseless. Their spells are just as powerful as any elf's.

Many gnomes have an animal familiar. This is an animal that is magically under their control more often than not, and it is used for transportation and protection. More powerful gnomes may have multiple familiars. Popular choices are dogs, cats, birds, foxes, and deer.

Gnomes face a lot of discrimination due to their size. Other species struggle to take them seriously, so gnomes commonly live in isolated societies among their own kind.

In Evangeline Kingdom, gnomes are enslaved in iron cages as pets for commoners. This practice is illegal almost everywhere else in the world. However, some gnomes deliberately choose this fate, believing that living in a cage and never having to work is a "free ride" through life. Most of them regret this decision.

All gnomes descend from just 3 tribes, all of which originated on the continent of Umory-Ond. Because of their close proximity to eachother, these 3 tribes had very similar cultures. Even today, most gnomes carry on cultural traditions from their ancient Umorian ancestors. The most famous of which are the conical felt hats that male gnomes wear.

Traditionally, unmarried male gnomes wear green conical hats. They wear a red one after marriage, a blue one if their spouse dies, and a black one at their funeral.

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Questions/Comments?

Lore Masterpost

[loominggaia]

If a male gnome comes of age and for whatever reason his mother is deceased or otherwise absent who will make his hat? Would a trusted friend/auntie/caregiver take on the task or is he doomed to be hatless?

I think the answer will differ depending on each individual case. If that gnome has a nanny, teacher, or female relative he's close to, she will probably fill in for his mother and make him a hat. If not, his father might just step in and defy gender norms to do it. Or maybe he will try to make his own hat.

Not all gnomes observe this tradition. Many choose to go hatless, especially if they didn't grow up in a traditional gnome family structure (mother, father, and two or more children).

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Questions/Comments?

Lore Masterpost

[loominggaia]

Troll anon here. Glad to see my joke post exploding. As an addition how would one go about seducing Gnomes, minotaurs and gorgons? Also with all this info about species attraction, would it be possible to see an article detailing this? If it’s not to much to ask?

So you're responsible for all this chaos! Just kidding...you guys reminded me that Valentine's Day is coming up, so this is actually a great time for these sorts of questions.

I don't know that I'll give this subject its own article, but I can add some little notes about courtship to each species' main article. I'll just throw it in the trivia section or something.

If you're interested in learning more about courtship, romance, and sexuality on Looming Gaia, there's quite a bit of info under the Ask-Sexuality tag! Also try the Ask-LGBT tag for similar stuff.

I can add some tidbits about gnomes, minotaurs and gorgons here real quick though. The following info uses VERY broad generalizations, but you get the idea.

GNOMES

Female gnomes seek males who are hard-working, proactive, and competent at outdoor tasks. Watching a man skillfully chop wood or build something really gets them in the mood, much moreso than what he looks like. Female gnomes are focused on skills and passion much more than appearance. Clumsiness, incompetence, and laziness just turns them off.

Male gnomes are a little more visual, but it's not a female's conventional beauty that draws their eye. They're specifically attracted to wide hips and big breasts because these are indicators that a female will have an easier time bearing and feeding children. They're not into females who appear thin or athletic. It's plump, soft women who catch their attention, but their attraction doesn't end at visuals. Personality is very important to male gnomes. They seek females with maternal qualities, who are caring and nurturing above all else. Behaving in a way that's soft, tender, and generous is the way to a male gnome's heart. Traits like aggression and selfishness are just nasty to them.

MINOTAURS

Female minotaurs are attracted to two main things: strong muscles and strong scent. They seek large males with big, showy muscles. Males with thicker necks, bigger horns, and broader shoulders get the most attention. Females also like to see signs of bravery, such as scars, tattoos, piercings, and other painful body modifications. Aggressive behavior is actually attractive to female minotaurs, as long as its not directed towards them or their children. Males can impress them by challenging and winning brawls with other males. This is seen as an act of asserting dominance. Displaying timidness, cowardice, or weakness is no way to win a female minotaur's affection. They also don't care for a male who stinks of piss and dirty ass, but they'll go crazy for one with a strong natural musk to his sweat. Minotaurs have a keen sense of smell, and females are especially attuned to body odors. They can tell a lot about a man's habits, diet, and personality just by getting a whiff of his armpit, so if you're trying to woo one, maybe skip on the deodorant.

Meanwhile, male minotaurs...well, if you have big boobs, you're already half-way there. They're pretty simple-minded in that way. And if you're not a minotaur yourself, don't lose hope! Your breasts don't have to be as big as a female minotaurs', they just have to be big in relation to your own body size to get a male's attention. The shape of them doesn't even matter. Female minotaurs often pierce their nipples and wear heavy jewelry to stretch out their breasts and make them appear longer to attract males, and you know what? It works. Aside from that, they also appreciate a sleek, well-groomed coat (or hair). Signs of fleas or mange really turn them off because if you can't even keep yourself groomed, you're not going to groom his children either, and male minotaurs take a lot of pride in the health of their offspring. They seek females who clearly love and care for themselves, and who have the physical "assets" to keep their babies nice and fat.

GORGONS

Traditionally, female gorgons seek two males: an alpha male to impregnate her and a "ziqit" to help her raise the alpha's children. This is because gorgons lay many eggs at once, and trying to raise 3-4 kids at a time is considered too much for just one parent to handle. What the female seeks in her alpha mate is very different from what she's looking for in the ziqit. There's a level of sexual attraction towards the alpha, but not necessarily towards the ziqit, so let's start with what kind of alpha will get her attention.

A healthy mix of braun and brains will get a male gorgon far with the ladies. He should be sharp of mind and toned of muscle. Every male gorgon is equipped with a retractable, venomous barb at the end of their tails. Female gorgons appreciate a big, long, hard...barb, of course. Short little barbs just don't impress them. Male gorgons also tend to have longer spike ridges along their heads than females, and females prefer bigger, longer spikes as well. A flashy pattern on his scales doesn't hurt, but if he has dull markings, he can make up for it by applying oil to his scales daily so they gleam in the light.

Female gorgons actually don't care about their alpha mate's personality much. Even if he's a bit of an asshole, they're willing to look past it because he's mostly there to put food on the table and babies in the nest. He doesn't spend a lot of time with her beyond having sex.

For the ziqit, however, personality is everything. Females don't care how he looks, he just has to prove that he's loyal, subservient, and attentive to the needs of her and her children. She should not have to babysit the babysitter. She wants a ziqit who understands what needs to be done around the house and does it without prompting, who is patient, clever, and competent enough to raise her children into productive members of society.

Female gorgons have a natural repulsion towards being dominated in any way. Their species is matriarchal by nature, so if you're a non-gorgon trying to attract one, your best bet is to treat her like a queen and make it clear that you're her loyal servant. In return, she will happily feed you, house you, and shower you with her affection.

Things aren't as complex for male gorgons. They naturally lean into letting a female choose them and going with the flow from there. But if she doesn't tickle his fancy, he can certainly refuse her, and he just might if she seems lazy, whiny, or incompetent. Personality is a big deal for male gorgons. Looks don't go far with them, but a strong, confident character does. They're attracted to women who take charge and can clearly fend for themselves if need be. They want to rest easy knowing their wives will be okay while they're out fetching bread for the table, and not worry about her making stupid decisions or getting herself injured or killed. Acting clingy or helpless repels males of this species, they can't stand a "damsel in distress".

I think that's about it for now!

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Questions/Comments?

Lore Masterpost

[loominggaia]

Two of the stereotypes associated with gnomes is being misogynistic and cultish. Is there any context to these stereotypes?

There is! All gnomes descend from clans that were scattered around one continent: Umory-Ond. Because of their close proximity, these clans all had very similar cultures. All modern gnomes around the world descend from these cultures, and their customs really haven’t changed much despite time and location.

The original gnome societies emphasized sex-based roles very strongly. Male gnomes were responsible for “outdoor” tasks and females for “indoor” tasks. Because female gnomes rarely left their houses, outsiders got the impression that their culture must have been highly misogynistic and the women were oppressed. In reality, most gnomes don’t see females as lesser than males. They just emphasize differences between sexes and believe that females and males are better suited to different kinds of work. Both sexes play equally important roles in gnome society. One can’t function without the work of the other. It’s a very rigid way of doing things, but it’s also sensible and it works for them.

As for being cultish...Because of their small size, gnomes have a very hard time assimilating into mixed-species societies. They’re always in danger of being stepped on and nothing is convenient for them whatsoever. Hardly anyone takes them seriously, so they’re known for just building their own little civilizations away from everyone else and keeping to their own kind.

This isn’t (usually) out of xenophobia against other species, but out of necessity. People brush off the gnomes and don’t accommodate them, but at the same time get really salty that the gnomes exclude them and won’t accommodate them either. So they say the gnomes are being “cultish” for not interacting much with other peoples.