A practical Guide to Gnome Lore.

Gnome lore is very practical. It was first scribed by Ugstore, after he happened upon the Mothers sitting beside a lake, having a women's meeting. It was through the Mothers, Terees and Dulan that Ugstore began keeping a Secret One Book of Gnomes. Though the book was not a complete secret in itself, but the bulk of its contents were. Dulan and Ugstore struck barter and in doing so, she provided Ugstore with the recipe to make Tache and through the making of tache the Secret One Book of Gnomes came to being.
Ugstore was afforded the prize position of being known as the first Gnome to keep a scribed document and he soon encouraged other Gnomes to keep a scribed record of their lives and what they found useful and of benefit to the Gnome race. But with their individual books, they were told they must scribe the Lore of Gnomes into its front pages and these lore's were to be taught to their young; from the day of they were first placed into their wrappings. All the races and classes of Gnomes keep a one book, and so does each of the families. Nevertheless, Ugstore’s Secret One Book of Gnomes contains some of the best and most informative material within the land.
It was also decreed through a unanimous decision of all the Gnomes, that Ugstore and his future descendants, that if they had the need all of the One Books of Gnomes would be made available to them to trans-scribe information as they saw fitting. Thus it was done!

Here lies an example of some of their lore.

This information has been drawn from the Secrets of the One Book of Gnomes. That has been handed down over the generations and now belongs to Mercarsnel of the Mernac Custom Trumpery and Ruff center.
As Gnomes we needed to ensure that we have a set of lore's to which we can teach our offspring and they theirs. These lore's are required to be learned from when a Gnome is still in their wrappings.

1. Water is always more important than food.
Why? This is because without water to fill our stomachs will pass from this world and go to another. How do you think we got here in the first place? In addition, who wants to die of thirst? Not us Gnomes that is for certain. We came to Mernac to continue our race and in doing so, we are learning from past mistakes.

2. Travel in the late of night and in the wee hours.
For the Fathers and Mothers sake! Its common sense, we are small humanoid - part reptilian creatures and other inhabitants of Mernac, might just take a liking to doing our race in! Besides who wants to travel in the heat of the afternoon, when we could be sleeping, maintaining our races numbers. or ensuring that our own fine castles, villages and towns are kept free of threat.

3. If you have to undertake something, consider whether you:
React too quickly, or recklessly; are too cautious or only frightened; demanding enough, of yourself or others.
I remember when I was out by myself in Grimnir Pass and I was being reckless. Those Trolls nearly made me into mush on a rock. But then I was also frightened of the Griffins that might have mistaken me for a witching hour snack. Therefore, my advice here is think, and think again. Make sure that you and any gnome you travel with is safe. Tread lightly as there are lots of enemies with Mernac and within the race of Gnomes.

4. Ensure that you are armed. Keep a club or a small knife on hand to defend yourself. Carry water in which pinmint twigs have been boiled. This is particularly good in the icy areas of Mernac. Carry Fizzle brush to clean your teeth.
Seriously, a knife can be for your protection, we are known to stab inhabitants of Mernac in the back. This includes other Gnomes, but if you do. Remember that Gnome has a family and they will come looking for you. Also a knife can be used for cutting Fizzle brush and assisting with a variety of other daily activities. Pinmint and Fizzle brush are all important in meeting female Gnomes. Keep your breath fresh and teeth clean. Otherwise, you won’t be able to maintain our race! Pinmint is also good when you’re in the snowy climates, it has a warming effect. Not only to your mouth, but also to you’re entire being. See Gnome Herbs for a more detailed description of the properties and attributes of pinmint and Fizzle brush.

5. If it's been dropped it belongs to the Gnomes. Want to take offence at losing an item go visit Mercarsnels wife at Mernac custom resource and recycling. You'll either learn a lesson or find your lost goods. But beware! You really need to prove to her beyond a doubt that it was yours before Mercarsnel found it.
Aahh, this is the be all and end of Gnomedom, if you happen upon a sock, once owned by a giant. You have a hat or a tool to barter with! If you happen on herbs that you are unsure of take them to Mercarsnels Custom Resource and Recycling. Again, this is to identify the herb and two you again have a bartering tool! Bartering is a way of life for Gnomes; use it and any thing you find as a source of betterment for yourself and that of your kin.

6. Panic is your own worst enemy. Not disregarding some of the inhabitants of Mernac. With normal reserves a Gnome can with stand hunger, thirst, heat, cold, fatigue, long distances, physical injury , loneliness . Panic always upsets the balance, remain calm and make the most of every situation. But remember the Mothers and Fathers have the final say!
No offence to our dear women, but seriously do you want yer ears ringing! When I met the dear missus and had to bring her on the long journey to my home in Brangin; it had too be the longest four seasons I've ever had. Not only from her constant yapping, but constant eagerness to chat to everyone. She had me in a panic, when she tried to converse with the Trolls, not to mention the humans. Moreover, she kept feeding the wildlife with our food stores. So take it from me, we can and do survive with limited supplies. If you remember to think, your actions through you will survive.

7. In extreme measures a Gnome can go without sleep for five days. However, it had better be worth it. We like to sleep!
Again this relates to all the Lore's, think about what, where, how and why you are doing anything. Make sure that you take the required supplies and not the women.

8. Remember when in the snowy continents, that snow is an excellent insulator. Just look at the Wyverns and the Goldenfurs, they let themselves be snowed in and still live.
We Gnomes, though still a relatively small race, with some minor classes. Need to preserve ourselves. Try to learn from those around you, this includes all the other inhabitants of Mernac. You will be surprised! Also, as an added thought, don't let on how clever we actually are, it could mean the difference between our downfall and survival.

9. Always carry an open mind and be prepared to experience new things. Mernac is ever changing and growing and there is a lot to see.
Aahh, the memories, this is how the Secret One Book of Gnomes came about. Keeping an open mind, the Mothers Terees and Dulan, not forgetting Canola, they taught me. Ugstore more than any Gnome would realize and on my travels I witnessed many great things, some that would boggle the mind of many a Gnome. I recall, going past lake and I saw this human creature. Fathers be! She had to be one of the most irresistibly beautiful human I've ever laid eyes on. She appeared to calmly inhabit the waters of the lake. I thought she might have been one of the Mothers, but alas it was the wrong moon and too this day. I do not know who she was. Nevertheless, I can say, this for sure, she gave this Gnome many a pleasant dream.
So keep an open mind and be prepared to learn something new every day, my motto is try something everyday of your life that frightens you. You can only grow stronger from the experience!

10. To orient yourself:
Clouds above open water are dark.
Clouds above snow or ice are white
Birds fly early in the morning from land to the seas and in the reverse at night.
Look at the tracks you've left and keep an eye on where you're going and where you've been.
This is so that you will always be able to find your way home. By watching the skies, you will be able to learn the weather patterns and gain the ability to get your bottom out of many a sticky situation. It takes time to learn this skill really, but as we Gnomes have longevity, you have a long time to learn. Unless you forget to look at the skies, whilst walking in the snow and fall down a hole.

11. Be ever watchful of home, family, and friends. Trust your instincts and if you feel threatened stab the threat in the back. This can be done literally or figuratively.
Home, Family and Friends are the backbone of Gnomes. We need to keep them close and happy; though sometimes it does pay to keep an enemy close as well. But if doubt stab them in the back, before they can do it to you.

12. Keep the Race of Gnomes strong and share your skills and knowledge with other Gnomes from all the classes.
Now this is aimed at all of you! Males and Females alike; we need you to be open to bearing young. But only before you find the one Gnome for you! Do not under any circumstances; sleep with a member of your kin. When out adventuring, ensure that you are so far removed from the Gnome family that you are staying with that no young can be born that is related to you! We want to keep our bloodlines strong and build on our skills and knowledge. Think, learn, and keep an open mind. Ask the Gnome family if you can share in their tree, and check the bloodlines. All Gnomes will understand this request and show you their families, one book. However, do not go past the three pages! Otherwise, you may offend them or worse make an enemy.

13. Don't drink to much oster as it opens your lips and your lips could reveal secrets that may have been used in bartering.
Oster, oh we Gnomes love that drop. However, it has terrible side effects that may have you end up living on a deserted rock, in fear of your wife, or worse you could end up as mush somewhere. Besides, why tell a secret when you can make a barter for it. We Gnomes love to barter and it is the source of our livelihoods. So try to keep count of the amount of oster you partake in. Easier said than done, when you're in good company and there is many a tale to tell. Speaking of which, embellish your own tales, not other Gnomes. Always be aware of those that are listening. You might find that a Gnome that is a friend of a friend, knows the Gnome of whom you may be referring to and well they may come looking for you. If you do need to embellish another Gnomes tale, make it see them in good stead. Then they will be happy all round.

14. Above all else be a happy Gnome, honour your kin and above all honour the Fathers and Mothers. As they have a say in your continuing existence and remember The One and The Other have the final say!
A Happy Gnome is a safe Gnome and a safe Gnome is usually a well-adjusted Gnome. If you honour the Fathers, they will bless you with strapping sons and if you honour the Mothers, they will bless you with fine daughters. Not to forget all the niceties of Gnome life. Remember The One and The Other for without them there would be no Mernac and without Mernac there would be no Gnomes. If you happen to be summoned by The One or The Other do not argue with them, unless you are absolutely sure you are right. If not, stab yourself in the heart and take your life, believe me it would be better than The One and The Other sending you off to somewhere where even the Fathers and Mothers could not locate you!


This is only an exert of the Lore, the Lore of Gnomes is constantly being changed and written and it takes the Gnome scribes a bit of time to gather the information required. But it also takes a swift boot to their bottoms to wake them up as well, for Gnomes we like to sleep a lot and if we are not sleeping we are pursuing our other lusty endeavours.

© Findbotr 06