Monster Essays: Gnomes

I've mentioned gnoems in passing in other stories but I never quite committed to writing them. Mostly because I didn't know what to do with them beyond making "boring goblins." I didn't want to go with the hyper-brains I gave them in The Anklebiters (since those goblins were more clever and vicious anyway; not the same world), so I went with them being clean freaks. I'd like to write one as the next Stackers waitress, but I'm settling on what kinks and whether this is the best time to have a mask and gloves-wearing shortstack or the worst time...

Dylan Eywind

History of Interspecies Relations II

Underground Secrets. History of Gnomes

**A+. A well-handled understanding of their cultural and natural differences. Please see me if you have a further interest in this kind of writing.**

When most of the creatures of the land discovered, humans were introduced to an unchecked subculture; with an emphasis on sub. The literally underground society of gnomes and dwarves revealed themselves together as a collective, the two burrowing races very well acquainted with each other already. For the sake of a focused study, we’ll be focusing on the behavior and biology of gnomes in this essay.

Gnomes are mostly comparable to short humans. They are slightly more frail, favoring notable curves with thinner, more dexterous limbs than dwarves or humans. Their faces tend to have rounded features and delicate skin that is prone to having freckles or beauty marks. They have more brightly colored eyes and hair that stands out in their underground homes, tending towards bolder shades of green and purple similar to goblins. Some have compared the two races, but goblins have proven far more sturdy, amorous and rambunctious than gnomes. Gnomes proves much more studious, tidy, cautious and level-headed when they can. Their voices also tend to be high and slightly musical compared to the grittier goblins.

Gnomes were very much defined by their environment. They lived in deeper tunnels than dwarven cities, showing comfort at surprising amounts of pressure. Gnomes were not, however, immune to some of the substances surrounding them. Outside of their main homes, many caves and tunnels could contain toxic gasses or intense heat that could prove just as lethal to them as any normal human. While dwarves grew strong and solid to handle their heavy mining, gnomes worked smarter rather than harder. They worked with their wealth of mineral resources to develop gas masks, hazmat suits, heat-resistant armor, and machinery that made their work much simpler.

Their reliance on technology and protective gear had some gnomes spending the majority of their lives within layered clothing. There is even a generation of gnomes recorded that barely ever left their recently developed “breather suits” during a particularly hazardous mining accident. This ultimately led to the most common trait and trouble that gnomes encounter: hypersensitivity.

Gnome skin is slightly thinner with sensitive nerves beneath the surface. This makes them masters at delicate work, such as assembling a model ship or detecting the temperature in a tunnel ahead. This makes them much more uncomfortable with, say, constant sunlight or bumping into someone in the street. They are much more susceptible to bruising and this is the presumed cause of many of them developing freckles, allergies, tanning easily, and gaining other blemishes on their skin. This sensitivity has led to many gnomes to be found wearing thick clothes, long sleeves, gloves, glasses, flu masks, or other methods of protection while living very tidy lives out of concern for contamination, encouraging the idea of their “tech geek” stereotypes.

Despite this, gnomes tend to be very social creatures. Their homeland’s need for teamwork and communication make them chatty and quick to make friends, if somewhat hesitant when it comes to skinship and physical contact. 

It’s not to say that gnomes are sexually inactive. They simply try to avoid behaving so in public. Gnomes tend to take relationships seriously and share that level of intimacy with care. Considering that they feel things more intensely than most races, a gentle stroke, a pat on the back or head, or even a firm handshake can overload their senses. The mere idea of sharing a drink or simply intimacy that could lead to contamination in their old worlds are considered very bold by tradition. Even as gnomes move on to live among humans, their biology makes keeping up with such an openly sexual and interpersonal world a challenge for them.

Gnomes are capable of sex and intimate relationships with other races, but this physical barrier can make it awkward for less patient partners. The easily pleased gnomes can experience orgasms from a comfortable massage, delicate petting of the head or just teasing strokes of the palm. Most of their bodies are approximately as sensitive as human erogenous zones, to say nothing of their actual sex organs. Their soft bodies, plump hips and delicate hands can be especially vulnerable to touch, making them appealing to humans as a more “vanilla” version of goblins. Gnomes are frequently described as needy but easy to please lovers; gnomish sex is very quick and intense for them. They find it hard to last very long compared to other creatures, but they can experience rapid orgasms and are extremely appreciative of the slightest physical contact. Even giving oral or manual pleasure is skin to skin contact that can be shocking to their system.

For their flaws, gnomes are happy and vital members of society. Their mechanical and creative minds lead to many contributions in electronics, art and entertainment. Their delicate senses prove another challenge for the population to accommodate to, but proving that the more accepting we become the more capable and flexible we become as a whole.