What are Gnomestones?
In Celebration of the Blog Carnival on Magic Rocks
Well, well, well. Looks like someone’s back after their unexpected disappearance, and this time, it’s me. That’s right! I’m announcing that I left, and simultaneously announcing that I’ve returned. Such is the way of gnomes. I had secret gnoming business that bade my leave, but now my attention has swung back onto the you, the audience, like the Eye of Schmauron (evil gnome wizard who lived in a tower). Cower Before Me, and also congratulations, and you’re welcome!
We’re six ten days late for Wobblerocket’s Month of Magic Rocks, slightly early for a gnome! We must throw our shoe in the ring, Gnorshan-style. You see, Gnomestones (and by extension Blogstones) is named for magical rocks, exactly the kind you are thinking of and also many others! I’ll unpack this multi-entendre below.
Gnomestones are dice - In the world of Gnomestones, human children are told to watch out for gnomes. They are instructed, “Don’t follow the little beasts into their tunnels, or you will disappear into the darkness and never return. Refuse their wild brews, or you will become one of them the second the bitter liquid passes your lips. Most importantly, you must never agree to gamble with the gnomes. If you toss their little cubes, they will surely trick you and steal your shoes. And as long as I’m giving random pieces of advice, once you are grown, you better not go down to the tavern where the vagrants gamble with their own version of the game ‘Gnomestones’. First, because it’s another wicked, sinful game where you will surely lose your shoes, and second, because it’s a cheap and inaccurate replica of the original, and will not prepare you if you ever do encounter real gnomes.
Gnomestones are a political system - The gnomes living in the Towers of Gnorsh keep mysterious rites and customs. According to the writings of Rayford Four-Fingers, the occupants of the desert fortress appoint their leadership through voting systems based on familial rights. Gnome families posses special rocks inscribed with symbolic crests, quietly passed down through generations, treasured by those who possess them and coveted by those who don’t. When the time has come for new leaders, the gnomes gather on the mesa-top of the highest tower and spend weeks deliberating in the hot desert sun, methodically tossing their ‘Gnomestones’ into ceremonial rings, then collecting and tabulating the stones and starting again. There is record that Gnorshan deliberations of this fashion have lasted several years in extreme cases.
Gnomestones are potatoes - The farmers in the valley begrudgingly refer use ‘Gnomestones’ as a moniker for potatoes. From the look of it, you would think that the gnomes are made of potatoes, so closely do them resemble the root. The issue with this theory is that gnomes love eating potatoes, and otherwise don’t seem to be cannibals. They sure do have a knack for stealing those potatoes, it’s enough to make a farmer plant kale.
…Did you know we’re releasing a game about potatoes?
Gnomestones are magic rocks - Yes indeed, yes indeed. If you made it this far, whoopdie-doodle-doof, you’ve got moxie kid. Real anime protagonist energy. Achieve all your dreams type vibes. I’m serious. Anyway, there comes a time in every young gnome hero’s journey when they need to strike out into the big world on their own. If the gnome’s backstory isn’t too grimdark, this is often the time when the gnome will receive gifts from elders, to assist in the journey forward. If, and only if, the gnome’s heart is true and their intentions good, will they receive the ‘gnomestone’, a magical ruby imbued with the love of those who came before them. This amulet can be used to change one’s fate but a single time. It’s also worth several hundred gold pieces in illicit gem market, even when no longer enchanted.
Gnomestones is a fantasy world - From the frozen cities of Vlidwinziuq to the sacred peaks of Ulf, the world of Gnomestones contains the sprawling imaginations of its creators, a land of adventure, a safe haven and a fun place to play some TTRPGs. What else could a gnomestone be? A copper piece? Human feces? The actions of dozens of players have impacted the timelines, communities, and legends of the world of Gnomestones, perhaps it is time for your own personal Gnomestones adventure (limited time only while supplies last)!
Stay tuned this Fall for more Gnomestones musings, here on Blogstones. Highlights include:
Reflections from a successful homebrew campaign bringing OSR to the youth
A brand new area of Gnomestones with warring duchies, folk heroes, legacies won and lost, and a smattering of chowders
Tutorials on simple OSR/NSR emergent campaign design and map building
The Potato Game enters its villain era
The dark secret at the heart of it all, deep irrefutable discomfort, and what I plan to do from here
and featuring
The stuff no one could predict