House Gnomes (Lapitoot, archaic) are little people who live in our chimneys and under our beds. When we first moved to Kahal, they joined with the Lantook to disrupt the building of our village. We learned later that this was unusual because the Lantook and Gnomes have a long standing rivalry. Unlike Lantooks, Gnomes prefer to root themselves in one place and tend to have more dealings with humans.
As keen negotiators, the gnomes were essential to forging the deal between the spirits of Kahal and the Avodai. As part of the deal, gnomes may live in our homes if they so desire. Many do, while others live in caves or abandoned barns. If you do find one in your home, you can even pay a gnome to help out with household chores. Mili the Gnome helps widow Lea care for her children and house. We’ve heard tell of some gnomes who keep olive oil bottles full even as you pour it out for cooking. What a power!
Gnomes are peaceful, as long as you don’t disturb their habitats. When we started building Kahal, we did not realize we had knocked down a few dilapidated houses that were homes to gnomes. It’s best to employ a Rafa to survey your locations before construction in case they are hidden, but even within your homes near the Spirit Festivals as gnomes might have moved in unannounced!
If a Gnome does not like you or you mistreat them, they will play tricks, such as hiding your shoes or putting dung in your food.
Commentary #
Gnomes now often help our craftsfolk in their businesses. One gnome named Ivy is a successful cobbler in her own right, specializing in intricate stitches and ornamentation. After cobbler Asher retired, Ivy took over the business and even took on both a human and gnome apprentices. Asher even got some of her shoes into Terida shops, and an Avodai merchant from Auria bought some of her shoes to sell along her trade routes.
During the Spirit Festival, it has become the tradition to give your resident House Gnomes gifts, including at least one new outfit. Some homes serve elaborate meals in honor of their Gnomes, covering their table in small treats. Gnomes will invite their friends over and judge together which home has honored their resident gnome the best.
-Rosh Rafa Malki