Gnomes and Goblins of Terafa

The origin of gnomes and goblins is a matter of significant dispute amongst philosophers. Some claim that they are an ancient people who migrated to Terafa from the Feywild in ages past. Others claim that their origin was the Shadowfell rather than the Feywild. Yet other claim that they are not a people at all, but rather a manifestation of the energies of one or other of these planes made manifest in the realm.

For their part, gnomes and goblins keep their own counsel, and tend not to be drawn. Although many of them are offended by the bracketing of their peoples together: both gnomes and goblines vehemently deny the association with the other.

Whatever their origin, there is no doubt that gnomes and goblins have dwelt upon Terafa for a very long time - indeed, for as long as the elves. However, where the elves have a long and storied history, gnomes and goblins have seldom made the same mark. They have no great empires to speak of, no mighty works, and they have fought no wars. Their achievements tend to be much smaller, more personal, and less apt to be discussed than those of other peoples.

Beyond that, there is not much to say about gnomes and goblins, or at least not much to say as a collective. For both gnomes and goblins are a varied people, with little commonality between branches. Whether it is due to a multitude of mutations in their base stock, or experiementation by mad mages, or simply due their own inherent variety, both gnomes and goblins are split into a great many branches - some foul and poisonous, some gentle and magical, and some that appear the one but are actually the other.

Perhaps there is one more thing to say: both goblins and gnomes can be found in a wide variety of environments, and they are always marked by those environments. Further, it appears that this is not simply a correlation, with each branch seeking out those places best suited to them. Instead, it appears that goblins and gnomes fairly rapidly adapt to, and are moulded to, whatever environment they find themselves in. Perhaps this is the source of their great variety after all - simply that they have adapted wherever they find themselves?