Excerpts of the Journal of Erud IV  

 

Journal Excerpt Ten

My company and I have arrived and been welcomed to the gnomish city of Ak’Anon, and I must say, of all the things I have seen on this journey, the city of the gnomes is the most perplexing. The gnomes seem to be equally adept at creating material marvels as well as magical ones.

There are contraptions here far more mechanically complex than those built by any culture on Norrath, including the advanced human society from which I hail. Unlike the high elves of Felwithe, the gnomes are eager to show my companions and I the marvels they have created, and are far more curious about our past, stories, and belongings than any other people we have encountered here in Faydwer. I believe the gnomes attitude toward my company will allow me to inquire about their magical practices and perhaps even view the tomes they have catalogued in their sorcerers academy, The Library Mchanamagica.

Journal Excerpt Eleven

A gnome magician of the Eldrich Collective, the name given to their arcane order, has allowed me entry to the Library Mechanamagica and given me quick instruction on the basics of the gnome language. In exchange for allowing the Eldrich Collective to examine the elven tomes I acquired in Felwithe, they are giving me several copies of gnomish arcane books containing theories and practical applications of the magical arts. I am grateful that my journey has led me to the gnomish city, despite my original apprehension and assumption that they would be more similar to their distant relatives, the dwarves. It is apparent that the gnomes are highly civilized and extremely intelligent; but, I fear they are a bit too trusting of outsiders and that congenial trait may, one day, cause them to suffer. In a few days time, my company and I shall once again meet up with the half-breed Tolsarian and he shall escort us back through the Faydark and Butcherblock Mountains to the docks so that we may charter passage on a ship back to Antonica. That should give the drunkards among my companions sufficient time to recover from their consumption of Gnomish Spirits. From Freeport, we shall charter another ship to carry us around the coastline of Antonica and back to our homes in Qeynos. I am eager to return to my study and learn all I can of these elven and gnomish arcane tomes I have acquired.