a rock gnome warrior riding a giant badger

Adventures in Arcadayn

Kurbesim (Gnome Republic)

By Tim Emrick

Ruler: Arhobel (First Citizen) Tilyabi Loneklyr

Capital: Titoberkin (6,000).

Other Cities: Hiblok, Mabaniro.

Symbol/Arms: A badger pelt.

Culture Level: Civilized.

Currency: The gnomes mint no coins of their own, but due to long-standing trade relations, Krithian currency is accepted here. Among themselves, the gnomes generally prefer to barter.

Divisions: 19 broko of 2,000-10,000 gnomes each. Each broka consists of a mayoral town (about 25% of the broka's population) and numerous scattered villages and family holdings.

Government Type: Democracy (republic).

Languages: Kurbesso (rock gnomes, M/A), Krithian (humans, M/A), Sivian (humans, M/A), Anbarrut (bronze dwarves, M/A).

Population: 70,000 gnomes, 20,000 humans.

Racial Stock: Kurbesim is peopled by rock gnomes (sing. kurbe, pl. kurben. The humans (sing. ober, pl. obern) living here are of Krithian origin.

Geography: Kurbesim is located in the upper Kralor River valley, in the gap between the Auroras and Ongrican Mountains. The country is wedge-shaped, about 100 miles long and about 70 miles across the shared border with Krith. The entire region is wooded foothills.

Climate: Warm with dry winter.

Agriculture & Resources: Crops: [TBD]. Animals: badgers, giant badgers, brown bears, mountain lions. Resources: copper, (some firerock), gold, gems (blue quartz, garnet, serpentine).

Religions: The gnomes worship Kemira Earth-Mother (Elemental cult) and the Quadralunic gods. (Kobor is rumored to have genuine priests here.) They worship these gods in diminutive, gnome-like forms. They consider animals that dwell within the earth--such as badgers, moles, and earthworms--to be sacred.

Military: All adult gnomes can fight as Irregular Infantry [II]; they range from Green to Seasoned. The Beast-Riders (see below) count as Irregular or Light Cavalry [IC, LC]. Favored weapons include bolas, buckler, hatchets [Axe/Mace], javelins (Spear or Spear Thrower), and short bows.

Nonhumans: Kurbesim's citizenry are rock gnomes, and about 80% of that race lives within the republic. Rock gnomes are Primitive -1 (TL2) [-5]. There are some woodland types of sidhe in the wilder sections of the forest.

Other Special Groups: Beast-Riders: Some gnome warriors tame forest creatures to serve as companions and mounts. Brown bears, mountain lions, and giant badgers have all been used as mounts by these bizarre warriors, while normal badgers are guardian beasts in many gnome villages. Beast-riders always have Animal Empathy, and some have Special Rapport (or even Speak with Animals [8 points for badgers only]) with their animal Allies. They have many animal and outdoor skills, as well as good Stealth and weapon skills.

History: The rock gnomes already lived in this region when the humans of Krith expanded this far east. The humans quickly took advantage of the gnomes' non-violent nature, and annexed the land as they explored eastward into the Outlands.

When the Krithian Civil War broke out, the gnomes quickly learned the arts of war, and soon proved to be the forces best suited to defending the eastern gap. When Ongrica was left waste by the "Great Scourge," Krith lost interest in the Outlands and gave the gnomes their independence for their services. The "Third Republic" was formed to rule this new nation. Since that time, most humans in Kurbesim have been encouraged to leave the Republic (sometimes by subtle means, sometimes not).

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