The Gnomes of the Vale

The Gnomes of the Vale are an ingenious and eccentric community of crafters, inventors, and magic-users settled within the secluded caves of Gnomengarde. Renowned for their ability to construct marvelous mechanical and magical contraptions, they maintain a quiet but vital presence in the histories of the Sword Coast.

History and the Pact of Phandelver

Though never a central political power, the Gnomes of the Vale played a critical role in the golden era of the Pact of Phandelver. A thousand years ago, during the height of the tripartite alliance between humans, elves, and dwarves, the gnomes lent their unparalleled ingenuity to the alliance’s crowning achievement: the creation of the legendary Forge of Spells. This powerful forge was constructed deep beneath the earth, situated where the world’s magical leylines braided themselves together.

Gnomengarde: The Gnomish Settlement

Today, the gnomes reside in Gnomengarde, a subterranean redoubt hidden behind a cascading waterfall. They live in a close ecological symbiosis with a nearby colony of Myconids and bioluminescent mushrooms.

The Volatile Weave

One of Gnomengarde’s defining characteristics is its peculiar relationship with the magical Weave. The magical energies flowing through the caverns are highly volatile, causing erratic and unpredictable side effects to any spells cast within the settlement’s boundaries.

Society and Governance

The settlement is co-ruled by dual sovereigns, King Korboz and King Gnerki. Recently, the community was thrown into chaos when shape-shifting doppelgangers infiltrated the throne room, driving King Korboz into extreme paranoia and leading him to imprison his co-ruler out of terror before the threat was neutralized by traveling adventurers.

Notable residents of Gnomengarde include:

The Gnomes of the Vale are famous throughout the region for their eccentric artifacts, clever gizmos, and spectacular gnomish fireworks.