Baldeenk looked at the Gnomish Council of Governance and thousands of curious gnomes listening in. “It is with great pleasure that I have the honor of introducing our guest. A human adventurer from the Eldarin Continent. Top graduate from the College of Advancement, a joint institution of humans, elves, and dwarves. Justin Burnstock,”

We were in the main plaza, where three roads came together in a small park. Everything was so small, I had to be careful as I moved. While the gnomes were half my height, everything was half my size. So, not impossibly small, but small enough that I moved with care.

The plaza had flowers and a podium to speak at with some kind of voice enchantment. Gnomes were looking out of balconies all around this plaza, observing. A large clock tower or pillar was behind where the Gnomish Council of Governance sat on an elevated platform. It was a pillar since it went all the way to the ceiling of the caravan, just like in the buildings.

While it wasn’t a holiday, many gnomes had taken a day off to see what all the excitement was about. I carefully stepped forward and bowed enough to show deference but not subservience. There was a polite round of applause. Baldeenk let me know gnomes like to applaud a lot during speeches.

“Thank you, Gnomish Councilor of External Relations Baldeenk Zickleseckle.” They sure loved their long names and titles for things. “Thank you to the Gnomish Council of Governance and its councilors for welcoming me to your settlement. I am impressed by the accommodations you have provided and the scope of your settlement within the dungeon.”

I paused during the round of applause and some approving nods.

Some of the gnomish councilors looked at me like I was a demon with pinched faces and narrowed eyes, but even they clapped a single time.

“The gnomish people are a testament to ingenuity and endurance. I look forward to exchanging knowledge that does not threaten your people or your settlement.” That statement got a louder round of applause. Baldeenk had coached me on what to say. Talking about conflict or fighting was bad, but knowledge and keeping gnomish secrets was good.

“To honor all of you, I am donating a book on cooking to your people, hoping to develop new and tasty food.” That got an even louder round of applause as I set the book carefully in front of me on a prepared table. Gnomish books were much smaller than human-sized books.

“Thank you for your kindness,” I said and bowed again. I then stepped back as a large gnomish guard took the gift away on a cart.

“An excellent speech from our first guest in many years,” an old gnome said. “As Chief Spokesgnome for the Gnomish Council of Governance. I am authorizing a committee to evaluate any trades with the human Justin Burnstock. He is also welcome with us until he departs. I confirm that he has accepted the skill Gnomish Silence at tier 4 for those with concerns.”

They forced me to accept the cursed skill at that tier, but for being diplomatic, I would not point this out.

The tension seemed to be reduced slightly in my detractors, and there were a lot of nods at this. “While we gnomes maintain our secrecy, that does not mean ignorance or stagnation. Endurance is not complacency. We will learn news of the outside, new skills, new methodologies, and in exchange we will enrich Justin Burnstock with our culture and skills suitable for departing with.”

I didn’t know how long I was going to stay. I would see what they offered first. The gnomes’ society was complicated in many aspects, though they seemed peaceful. However, after the beastkin, I was still feeling wary.

The end of my time in that settlement had been horrific. The gnomes were like a breath of fresh air compared to that horror show on the surface.

“I am now authorizing the formation of the Gnomish Committee on Cultural Exchange. The committee chair will be Gnomish Councilor of External Relations Baldeenk Zickleseckle and the Vice Chair will be Gnomish Councilor of Internal Stability Safan Zingell.”

The gnomes in question stood up and bowed towards the Chief Spokesgnome. Safan had a sour look during the entire greeting ceremony.

If I had to bet anything, I would bet that Safan and Baldeenk were political opponents of some kind. Their roles seemed to go against each other to a large degree. I was stirring the gnomes up, which would cause trouble for internal stability.

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“Project Warehouse Two will be allocated to the Gnomish Committee on Cultural Exchange for the exchange. All gnomes may freely interact with our guest, but I hope he understands gnomish sensibilities.”

Baldeenk briefed me on my responsibilities if he mentioned me directly.

I bowed towards the Chief Spokesgnome during the applause to show I had heard and understood him. I would defer to my minders about what I wasn’t allowed to discuss preventing a huge disruption. My basic understanding of the gnomes had already produced a couple of educated guesses about what they might be.

As a society and culture, they didn’t like conflict or fighting. The number of guards for an enormous event like this was low. I counted only ten guards out of thousands of gnomes, and three of them appeared to be the same guards from yesterday.

Their combat power was incredibly low as individuals. They might have unique methods, but their primary and likely only real defense was secrecy. I felt slightly more forgiving of their cursed skill and threats upon that realization. If a legend showed up in their settlement, they would have no good way to resist.

A band of gnomes even played music, and there were cheers.

Baldeenk then waved at me to get my attention, and I was led away to the stares of the curious gnomes. “You did a good job.”

“Thanks. So, what is this project warehouse?”

“They work on special projects there.”

“Do I need to worry about the currency?”

We’ll cover all your expenses for the first week, and your food allowance will remain constant. You will need to purchase or trade for anything else.”

I followed him to this project warehouse. “How does your economy work?”

“We use enchanted stone coins. Metal is too valuable to be used for currency. Each gnome gets paid based on their job and the demand for that job, with yearly adjustments. All young, working, and retired gnomes receive food.”

“What about someone hoarding wealth or creating a monopoly?”

“The Gnomish Council of Economics deals with such things. There is a progressive tax on wealth and on inheriting wealth. So, it is hard to accumulate a lot of money over a long period of time.”

“Your people clearly have thought through quite a bit.”

“We have been doing this for a long time. Creating a stable society is second only to keeping our society secret. Secrecy is paramount.”

“Why is that?”

“I should wait until we reach the project warehouse to discuss that, since Councilor Safan will be there as well as part of the committee.”

“What about the other committee members?”

“Mostly there to observe or handle the resulting deals we might make. The key thing is that Councilor Safan and I will have to agree to any trade. If we both agree, there won’t be any problem,” he explained, confirming that they represented opposing political factions.

“And if gnomes come to talk with me?”

He looked pointedly at my sword. “Don’t create excitement or discuss outside things, especially fighting. We prefer to keep a calm environment.”

Giving up my blade is not something I’ll do. I left Ozy behind out of respect for your culture, but asking to disarm would be a step too far.”

“I understand. I hope you come to understand we are a peace-loving race. Too often, conflicts arise out of misunderstandings or greed. We focus on ourselves and keep the outside world out.”

“Aren’t you the Gnomish Councilor of External Relations? Wouldn’t you be curious about the outside?”

“Partially correct, but one thing you have to know about us is that we are all united in secrecy without exception. My political differences stem from the desire to be more aggressive in our actions in the dungeon and to strengthen ourselves with more gnomes sent out on carts. But I have no objections or issues with our general way of life.”

“Does any gnome object?”

“There are a few, and they are welcome to depart into the dungeon. Unfortunately, none of them returned. Since you clearly don’t know about us gnomes, it is safe to assume that they all died.”

We came up to a large building, and Baldeenk pushed open the doors. “I arranged to have human-sized furniture so that we could sit and talk.”

There was a table like in the dining room, with a human-sized seat and several elevated Gnomish seats as well.

“Thank you. That is quite considerate.”

“We might not get many visitors, but we aren’t savages like those beastkin. Take a seat. Someone will bring in refreshments, and the rest of the gnomes will be here shortly.”

As I sat down, refreshments were brought out, and other gnomes appeared. They quickly took their seats, and I noted that each position at the round table had a little wooden placeholder they placed placards on with their names and titles.

The last gnome to arrive was Gnomish Councilor of Internal Stability Safan Zingell. He quickly took his seat, and everyone quieted down. Safan and Baldeenk had their supporters on their side of the table and sat across from me.

“Let’s start this farce,” Safan said, glaring at me.

“Vice Chair, that seems harsh. We are here to discuss exchanges we can make.”

“Fine, but there will be no funny business or useless skills that are discussed. We are already stretched thin with our current skill levels.”

“Of course. I think it would be best to discuss history first. That way we can understand the perspectives of our two sides. I would ask that Justin go first and talk about developments on the Eldarin Continent over the last 3,000 years and what he observed up above with the beastkin.”

Going first helped smooth things along, although I didn’t like it. Safan seemed engaged with my words. I won’t discuss personal topics, but I can offer a detailed historical overview.

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