Forest gnome clothing (log)

Category: Races
Topic: Forest gnomes
Message #: 215
Author: ETANNIDOMHNAILL
Date: 5/5/2009 6:13:52 PM
Subject: Re: Crickets.

<<Typical sounds coming from a forest gnome compound..>>

Actually, not quite. Since there was a lot of clothing in the forest gnome pavilion in CCF that I didn't recognize, I tracked down the merchant Tlizal and was able to get some good information from him on it on the first run. Thanks for that, too! I enjoyed talking with you.

You see Artisan Tlizal.
He appears to be a Forest Gnome of the Angstholm Bloodline.
He is quite short and appears to be of full age. He has malachite-rimmed black eyes and tanned skin. He has waist length, straight silver hair threaded with glazed red ceramic beads. He has a broad chest and a solid, muscled neck.
He is in good shape.
He is wearing a wide huiteo, an apotl of cross-laid black and green primaries, a rigid sharkskin breastplate, and some knee-length leathern breeches.

Speaking to Tlizal, you ask, "Forgive my curiosity, but your style of clothing is most intriguing. Perhaps you could tell me a little about it?"

Tlizal nods to you.

Speaking hoarsely to you, Tlizal says, "I'm wearing traditional clothing."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "My huiteo..."

Tlizal taps a wide huiteo that he is wearing.

Tlizal hoarsely says, "Is the traditional male head-wrap, for the forest gnome people."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "We usually bead them, and they're marked with our personal glyph, sometimes."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "Our name, you could say, but rendered as a picture."

Tlizal taps an apotl of cross-laid black and green primaries that he is wearing.

Tlizal hoarsely says, "This is my apotl, which I received when I went through my ceremony of manhood."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "Women wear a feathered cloak like this, but theirs is called an apotla."

Tlizal accents the last syllable.

Tlizal hoarsely says, "They're always feathers, and we usually close them with a clasp."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "I'm not wearing a formal apotl clasp though, because I'm not here as an individual."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "I'm here to represent my people."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "Wearing my clasp would indicate I was acting on personal business, or for personal glory."

Tlizal knocks on his breastplate.

Tlizal hoarsely says, "I prefer a square-necked shirt, or a loose tunic, but it isn't practical right now."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "If you see my lady delegate, you'll see that she wears a basrenne in place of a huiteo."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "It's the, um, well, it looks like a piece of braided reed, dangling a gem, right here."

Tlizal taps the middle of his forehead.

Tlizal hoarsely says, "It'd drive me crazy, having it hanging there between my eyes all the time."

Tlizal mumbles something that you don't quite catch.

Tlizal hoarsely says, "She wears the apotla, like I mentioned."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "And under that a loose blouse, or a sleeveless tunic, depending on her age and how comfortable she feels."

Tlizal hoarsely asks, "Our women wear pants, but in formal situations, they wear skirts with lots of, um, poofing?"

Tlizal stumbles over the word.

Tlizal hoarsely asks, "You know, it poofs?"

Tlizal makes a gesture around his legs.

Tlizal hoarsely says, "They like that, the big skirt."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "And to bind the big skirt and the blouse together, they wear a nonalca."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "Which is a wide band of fabric, belted, with a thin chain-link belt overlaying it."

Tlizal hoarsely asks, "They like big skirts, but if you ask me?"

Tlizal hoarsely says, "They like us to know they have waistlines too."

Tlizal winks.

You say, "Indeed."

Koquette says, "It's the proportions that matter."

Koquette glances away.

You say, "My mistress sometimes says that you can wear a big skirt to make it look like you have a smaller waist."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "You'd have to ask my lady delegate, about that."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "So, we're simple people."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "We don't need a lot of fancy fabrics."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "Leather, linen, maybe some silk if we're feeling it."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "Feathers are good. Quills are good."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "Shoes are a hassle."

Tlizal frowns.

Tlizal scratches the back of his neck.

Tlizal hoarsely says, "I dunno, you have any questions? I don't usually talk about this stuff."

You smile.

You ask, "No shoes? Your feet don't get cut?"

Tlizal hoarsely says, "We walk on shells and on the forest floor from, well, from when we can first walk."

Tlizal shows off the tough soles of his feet.

You say, "Ah, I see."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "Where I'm from, if your feet are soft, you're weak."

Tlizal shrugs.

You smile.

You say, "Then apparently a lot of us are weak."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "You wouldn't last on the shores, no."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "But I wouldn't last in your fancy ballrooms."

You say, "Neither would I. I'm still learning."

Speaking hoarsely to you, Tlizal says, "I'd get eaten for dinner by your lot."

Tlizal smirks.

You say, "My mistress is helping to teach me, though."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "It's important to have a good teacher, no matter who you are, I guess."

You nod.

You say, "Very true."

You ask, "You live by the ocean, then? I thought you tended to stay inland more?"

Tlizal hoarsely says, "You're thinking of the Basingstokes."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "We Angstholm, we're water people."

You say, "Oh, I see! Forgive me."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "A nasty piece of work dark elf told me we all look alike."

Tlizal shrugs.

Tlizal hoarsely says, "But."

You say, "I would think that would happen for a number of races when someone else first meets them."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "I should really go get some breakfast."

You chuckle.

You say, "Of course."

You say, "Thank you very much for the clarification."

Tlizal hoarsely says, "Have a good morning."

Tlizal nods.

You say, "And you."

You curtsy to Tlizal.

Artisan Tlizal just went north.

Gretchen

Meeting Nilandia: http://www.gsguide.net/index.php?title=Nilandia
Nilandia's GS4 Info Repository: http://www.nilandia.com
AIM: Lady Nilandia

---

Category: Races
Topic: Forest gnomes
Message #: 78
Author: GS4-HALISTE
Date: 09/11/2014 12:45 PM EDT
Subject: Forest Gnomes: Adornments on Ceremonial Clothing

Long have the forest gnomes been using feathers to differentiate between their bloodlines. From the earliest days of the Wendwillows to the later formations of the Greengairs, these natural components, used to adorn their ceremonial apotl and apotla, have become part of core identification and traditions in this race.

Basingstokes, proud of their adherence to ancient traditions, and devout followers of Imaera, believe that a strong relationship with her will strengthen their bond with nature, providing them additional benefit and knowledge of their ever-changing environment. Given Imaera's connection with plants and animals, Basingstokes felt that the plumage from peacocks most accurately represented the diversity of their habitat, exhibiting natural brown tones to brilliant turquoise and green, illustrative of a variety of flora and fauna.

While a large majority of forest gnomes consume both animal and vegetable, the Greengairs consider meat-eaters to be disruptive to their symbiotic lifestyle and adopt a vegetarian approach to their nutritional needs. For this reason, they have developed an art of manipulating the outer covering of corn, shaping the husks to resemble avian feathers. These shaped feathers are called "umcor." The corn silk is then dyed and used as ornamentation on the feather-shaped husks. Colorations vary by family, but colorants tend to be those easily produced from berries, leaves, and lichen.

The albatross, or "Surfsoarers," have been dubbed the caretakers of the sea by the Wendwillow Bloodline. Folklore recounts the troubled days following the cataclysmic flood and details rookery swarms that soared above the drowning communities in an effort to lead them to higher ground. Their feathers dropped to the ground like rain and were collected in the thousands. Believed to be a sign to remain near the water, Wendwillows embrace these treasures and typically arrange them in complex black and white patterns.

Experts at experimentation, those of the Bloodline Rosengift strive for change, rather than preservation, of their existing environment. Skilled in the delicate art of cross-pollination and masters of crossbreeding, the Rosengifts do not limit adornments to any one type of feather. The mixture of feathers, both in size and color, is said to heighten their awareness and understanding of the limitations of their habitat, especially when worn during religious ceremonies when they are most susceptible to environmental influence.

Tawny owls have naturally arboraceous plumage, making them adept at remaining hidden from intruders. Those of the Angstholm Bloodline live a more reclusive lifestyle, enabling them to conduct their ardent research of elemental magic free from unsolicited inquisition. Seldom do visitors approach their island fortress, but when they do, the Angstholms don their apotl or apotla, and will attempt to remain unseen, sometimes for days. These cape-like garments are layered in overlapping rows of tawny feathers and are also worn during periods of research.

An apotl or apotla covered in black vulture feathers is recognized as a Felcour garment belonging to one of great strength and combat prowess. Feathers that are further stained with the blood of the battle hold a higher societal value, often the subject of arguments between brothers, especially when there was question as to who delivered the killing blow. It is assumed that an apotl bears the feathers of its owner's accomplishment, which carries enormous prideful rights within this bloodline.

The above serves as official clarification of the ceremonial wear for each Bloodline, but there have always been those who have chosen to leave the ways of their home. While the apotl and apotla serve a prominent role in forest gnome heritage, those who have broken ties their families have found alternate adornment methods and are recognized immediately as emigrants.

~ Haliste ~ The M & M Guru Forest Gnomes

This message was originally posted in Races, Forest Gnomes. To discuss the above, follow the link below.

http://forums.play.net/forums/19/216/2327/view/78