Page 24 - Eberron -Rising from the Last War_Neat

whether that's a bard's eloquent persuasion, a wizard's
words of power, or a rogue's careful threat. They give
an initial impression as friendly busybodies, always
ready to lend a hand or share a story, while asking ques­
tions that tend toward the slightly-too-personal. Often,
though, a cheerful and amiable gnome is methodically
adding to a mental storehouse of knowledge that might
one day provide important leverage.

GN M E S OF Z I L ARGO
O
To say that every Zil gnome is a ruthless schemer would
be a hurtful exaggeration. Intrigue is the favorite pas­
time of most Zil, though. Every gnome child of Zilargo
is taught to manipulate and deceive, and by the time
they reach adulthood most have been involved in dozens
of schemes and feuds, some of which persist well into
adulthood. Even a gnome with a good heart and noble
goals-of which there are many-often still prefers to
use trickery and cunning rather than the unreliable
tools of honesty or brute force.
Most Zil gnomes belong to the forest gnome subrace.
Their natural talent for illusion aids them in trickery and
entertaining, and they often use small animals as mes­
sengers and guides.
When you're making a Zil gnome character, consider
what kinds of schemes you or your family might be
involved in. The Zil Schemes table offers some sug­
gestions, but you should feel free to elaborate on these
schemes, even to absurd extremes.
Z I L SCH E M E S
Additionally, consider your relationship to Zilargo:
dlO Scheme why you have left, and what ties do you still have to it?
Your family is working on a new form of elemental Your scheme could provide a good reason for you to
binding, but they need a lot of Khyber dragonshards. leave. Or you could be a sage gathering information
2 You have an anonymous contact who sends you mis­ for the Library of Korranberg or an investigator send­
sions via the sending spell. When you do as you're ing stories of your adventures back to the Korranberg
Chronicle. Family is important to the Zil, and you could
asked, you receive handsome rewards.
be pursuing your family's interests. You could even be
3 You've inherited a plot of land in Q'barra. If you don't working for the mysterious Trust, the conspiracy behind
visit within a year, you'll lose the claim.
the Triumvirate's throne that quietly maintains order
4 Due to an unusual twist of Triumvirate law, you share in Zilargo. If you are working for the Trust, you could
the same name with a number of other Zil, and you're have a specific mission, but you could also be a sleeper
all legally considered to be the same person. agent-gathering information and allies until you're acti­
5 You've acquired a spe/lshard (described in chapter 5) vated and you are put to your intended use.
that contains a vast amount of text in a strange code. Z il N a mes. Zil society is divided into major houses,
each of which is composed of multiple families. Each
6 You know the location of a wanted war criminal, and
gnome carries the name of a house and of a family in ad­
you've been trying to decide whether to turn them n or
i
dition to a personal name. For example, Alina Lorridan
try to get something in exchange for your silence.
Lyrris and Tallian Talius Lyrris are members of differ­
7 You've been selling false treasure maps, but now ent families (Lorridan and Talius) within House Lyrris.
you've found one that might be real. Gnome names are long and lyrical; a Zil proverb claims
8 You've acquired a controlling stake n a dragonshard "the sweetest song is the name of a friend." Personal
i
m i n e, which was abandoned long ago. But why? Ko­ and clan names are usually at least three syllables long,
bolds? Aberrations? There's only one way to find out! and there is a strong tradition of alliteration.
9 Your family is facing financial ruin, and they've taken GN M E S OF T H E FIVE NATIONS
O
out a life insurance policy on you. It only pays out if
you die under unusual circumstances, and they're en­ As they have for countless generations, insatiable cu­
couraging you to seek out more dangerous adventures. riosity and endless opportunity draw gnomes from
Zilargo into the wider lands of Khorvaire. Most of these
10 You're peddling a life-extension scheme where clients
dispersed gnomes find new homes and integrate easily
are petrified by a medusa and then restored later.
into local cultures. Gnomes can be found in any walk
CHAPTER 1 I CHARACTER CREATION
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