Gnome Army

Type: Revenge Group / Unknown Organization Alignment: Antagonist (to party) Base: Woods between Belendar and party's castle Leader: Barry (or Larry) - One-eyed gnome Possible Ally/Supporter: Fizwidget Spindleflash (Session 27 - reality-warping gnome) Current Status: Active, tracking party movements, ESCALATED THREAT

Current Status (Session 27)

Leadership

Organization Status

Current Activity:

• Tracking Riders of the Storm movements
• Watching party's travel routes
• Unknown ultimate intentions
• Multiple gnomes operating together
• Possible support from Fizwidget Spindleflash (Archfey-level being)

Location:

• Woods between Belendar and party's castle
• Along party's common travel routes
• Hidden observation posts (bushes, forest)
• Unknown access to pocket dimensions (if Fizwidget involved)

Known Strength:

• Multiple gnomes (exact number unknown)
• Many pairs of eyes observed in vision
• Short creatures (gnome height confirmed)
• Unknown magical/combat capabilities
• CRITICAL UPDATE (Session 27): May have reality-warping support from Fizwidget

Session 27 Major Development

Fizwidget Spindleflash Connection

What Happened:

• Fizwidget Spindleflash (gnome trickster) targeted party in magical alternate reality
• Created entire pocket dimension (toadstool realm, carnival with deadly challenges)
• Claimed to be avenging cousin/brother shot in eye
• Demonstrated Archfey/god-level powers:
  • Reality manipulation (created alternate dimension)
  • Time control (pocket watch, freeze time)
  • Transformations (turned Odonia into duck, removed ToooAh's wings)
  • Teleportation (instant disappearance/reappearance)
  • Pocket dimension creation (carnival realm)
  • Thousands of gnome "family members" in carnival

Evidence of Connection to Barry:

• Fizwidget mentioned gnome shot in eye by party
• Referenced cousin/brother (likely Barry/Larry)
• Revenge motivation matches Barry's plot
• Said party "took something from him"
• Thousands of gnome "family" watching in carnival

Implications:

• Barry's gnome army may have Archfey-level support
• Conventional defenses may be inadequate
• Can create pocket dimensions, manipulate time, transform enemies
• Far more dangerous than initially assessed
• Fizwidget can teleport anywhere (portals at will)

Current Status:

• Fizwidget disappeared after giving magical items
• Portal to carnival realm vanished
• Unknown if threat concluded or will return
• Unclear if Fizwidget will actively support Barry's army

Origin & Motivation

The Incident

What Happened:

• Early tournament melee event outside Sylobelle
• Lady Odonia of Galantri shot gnome in the eye with arrow
• Gnome survived (Barry/Larry)
• Eye lost/severely damaged
• Wears bandage over wounded eye

Barry's Response:

• Survived injury
• Organized group of gnomes
• "The gnomes have not forgotten"
• Revenge plot against party (especially Odonia)
• Possible contact with Fizwidget (cousin/brother?)

Motivation

Primary:

• Revenge for eye injury
• Personal vendetta (Barry/Larry)
• Target: Lady Odonia of Galantri (shooter)
• Possibly entire Riders of the Storm
• Family honour (Fizwidget's involvement suggests family matter)

Unknown:

• Just revenge or larger purpose?
• Why organize army? (overkill for single injury?)
• Other grievances beyond eye?
• Connection to larger faction?
• Is Fizwidget actively coordinating with Barry's army?

Known Activities

Bane Watcher Vision (Session 18)

Revelation:

• Seen in shared prophetic vision
• Viewed through River the dog's eyes
• Woods along party's travel routes
• Many pairs of eyes visible in bushes
• Short creatures (confirmed gnomes)
• Barry/Larry stepped forward with bandage over eye
• Watching party movements

Significance:

• Have been tracking party since early sessions
• Know party's routes and patterns
• Organized surveillance operation
• Patient (waiting for opportunity?)

Session 27 Encounter (Fizwidget)

Fizwidget's Actions:

• Created magical alternate reality targeting party
• Forced deadly challenges with permanent stakes
• Threatened Ser Silvar Glinnan and River (Odonia's dog)
• Stripped Elvva Beltavar naked, transformed Lady Odonia of Galantri into duck
• Forced marriage between Elik'r Stormswallow and Co'narr 'Banewatcher' Hyborian
• Ultimately reversed reality but gave four permanent magical items

Key Quotes:

• "I know who you are"
• Referenced gnome shot in eye
• Claimed to be avenging family member

Outcome:

• Party survived challenges (706/1000 gnome votes)
• Fizwidget honoured deal, reversed reality
• Gave genuine magical items (reward, payment, or trap?)
• Disappeared - unknown if will return

Ongoing Surveillance

Methods:

• Forest observation (hidden in bushes)
• Track party movements between locations
• Multiple gnomes coordinating
• Unknown intelligence gathering
• Possible magical scrying (if Fizwidget involved)
• Potential pocket dimension access (portals anywhere)

Capabilities Demonstrated:

• Stealth (not detected by party)
• Organization (multiple gnomes working together)
• Patience (long-term surveillance)
• Knowledge of party routes
• Reality manipulation (Fizwidget)
• Time control (Fizwidget)
• Instant teleportation (Fizwidget)

Threat Assessment

Immediate Threat Level: MEDIUM-HIGH (ESCALATED)

Escalation Reason (Session 27):

• Fizwidget connection confirmed
• Reality-warping capabilities demonstrated
• Archfey/god-level powers available
• Conventional defenses inadequate
• Can create pocket dimensions, control time, transform enemies
• Portals accessible anywhere (no safe locations)

Active Threats:

• Tracking party movements (know routes)
• Multiple gnomes (unknown exact numbers)
• Archfey-level ally (Fizwidget)
• Reality manipulation (create pocket dimensions, time control)
• Transformation abilities (turn into animals, remove abilities)
• Deadly challenges (permanent consequences)
• Patient and organized
• Could ambush at any time with supernatural support

Unknown Factors:

• Total numbers (many pairs of eyes = dozens? hundreds?)
• Magic users among them?
• Combat training/equipment?
• When will they strike?
• What's the plan?
• Will Fizwidget actively support Barry's army?
• Are carnival gnomes real beings or manifestations?
• Can Fizwidget trap party in pocket dimension permanently?

Strategic Concerns

For Party:

• Know party's movements (security risk)
• Could interfere with missions
• Potential pocket dimension ambush (escape may be impossible)
• Time manipulation (can freeze party, control encounters)
• Reality warping (conventional tactics useless)
• Distraction from larger threats
• Unknown capabilities make planning difficult
• Conventional military force inadequate (Fizwidget can create portals, transform, trap)

New Concerns (Session 27):

• Stormhold Keep may be vulnerable (Fizwidget can teleport anywhere)
• Troops cannot defend against reality manipulation
• Party members could be transformed, trapped, or removed from reality
• No safe locations (portals bypass all defenses)
• Magical items from Fizwidget - reward or trap with hidden effects?

Timing:

• Civil war = perfect opportunity
• Party distracted with Marshals duties
• Rally the North requires travel
• Vulnerable during movement
• Fizwidget can strike at any moment (portals anywhere)

Comparative Threat

Vs Major Threats:

• Less dangerous than The Bane (world-ending)
• Comparable to Elincia's Nhonourk (both have supernatural allies)
• More immediate than civil war (can strike instantly via portal)
• Unique threat profile (only enemy with reality manipulation)

But:

• More immediate than some threats
• Know party's patterns
• Reality-warping capabilities unprecedented
• Could strike at worst moment
• Cannot be defended against conventionally
• Unknown if Fizwidget will return or support Barry actively

Fizwidget Spindleflash - Detailed Analysis

Powers Demonstrated (Session 27)

Reality Manipulation:

• Created entire alternate dimension (toadstool realm)
• Maintained pocket realm for hours
• Reversed entire reality with finger snap
• Created genuine permanent magical items

Time Control:

• Pocket watch controls time flow
• Can freeze time completely
• Create temporal loops
• Control perception of duration

Transformation:

• Turned Odonia into duck
• Removed ToooAh's wings
• Sealed Odonia's mouth (skin over)
• Size manipulation (miniaturization)
• Compelled actions (marriage, singing, seduction)

Teleportation:

• Instant disappearance/reappearance
• Create portals to pocket dimensions
• Click fingers to vanish
• Access anywhere (no barriers)

Illusion/Reality Blend:

• Created convincing NPCs (Rachel, Short Jane Goldie)
• Manifested thousands of gnome spectators
• Unknown if beings real or illusions
• Blurred line between real and fake

Item Creation:

• Manifested temporary objects (unlimited)
• Created genuine permanent magical items (4 given to party)
• Unknown if items have hidden properties/costs

Fizwidget's Nature (Unknown)

Theories:

1. Fey Archfey - Most likely (reality manipulation, trickster nature, pocket realms)
2. Trickster Deity - Possible (god-level powers, worshipped by gnome family?)
3. Powerful Gnome Wizard - Less likely (powers exceed normal magic)
4. Reality Manipulator - Unknown entity type

Evidence:

• Theatrical presentation (Fey characteristic)
• Deals and bargains (Fey behavior)
• Honoured agreement after arena performance (Fey rules)
• Pocket dimension creation (Feywild-adjacent)
• "Family" of thousands (Fey court?)

Threat to Party

If Actively Supporting Barry:

• Can trap party in pocket dimension permanently
• Transform party members into harmless animals
• Remove abilities (wings, magic, weapons)
• Control time (freeze party during ambush)
• Create portals anywhere (bypass all defenses)
• Reality manipulation makes conventional resistance impossible

If Acting Independently:

• May return for more "games"
• Unpredictable trickster nature
• Revenge satisfied or ongoing?
• Unknown future intentions

Magical Items Given:

• Iron Circlet (Tessell)
• Magical Rope (ToooAh)
• Founder's Wand (Elvva)
• Hide Armour (Odonia)
• Properties unknown - reward, payment, or trap?
• Could have hidden costs or tracking functions

Unknown Factors

Critical Unknowns

Numbers:

• How many gnomes total?
• "Many pairs of eyes" suggests dozens+
• Or small group with good hiding?
• Army-scale or squad-scale?
• Are carnival gnomes (thousands) real or manifestations?

Capabilities:

• Combat training?
• Magic users?
• Siege equipment?
• Guerrilla tactics?
• Alchemical weapons? (gnome specialty)
• Reality manipulation access (via Fizwidget?)

Organization:

• Just Barry's personal vendetta?
• Larger gnome community involved?
• Connected to other factions?
• Working alone or with allies?
• Is Fizwidget the true leader?
• Relationship between Barry and Fizwidget (cousin? brother? allies?)

Goals:

• Just revenge on Odonia?
• Target entire party?
• Broader agenda beyond revenge?
• Why "army" for single eye injury?
• What does Fizwidget want long-term?

Timing:

• When will they strike?
• Waiting for specific opportunity?
• Building strength first?
• Patient long-term plan?
• Will Fizwidget return?
• Was Session 27 the full revenge or just beginning?

Gnome Characteristics (General)

Typical Gnome Traits

Physical:

• Small size (3-4 feet tall)
• Nimble and quick
• Good with hands (crafting, tinkering)

Cultural:

• Inventive and creative
• Alchemical expertise common
• Engineering skills
• Trickster tendencies
• Community-oriented
• Family honour important (Fizwidget avenging cousin/brother)

Combat:

• Prefer ranged/indirect combat
• Alchemy, traps, gadgets
• Guerrilla tactics
• Avoid direct melee
• Use terrain advantage
• Reality manipulation (if Fizwidget involved)

Implications for "Army"

Could Include:

• Alchemical bombs/potions
• Mechanical traps
• Crossbows/ranged weapons
• Illusion magic
• Engineering devices
• Hit-and-run tactics
• Pocket dimension ambushes (Fizwidget portals)
• Time manipulation (freeze party during attack)
• Transformation traps (turn into harmless creatures)

Likely Strategy:

• Ambush along travel routes
• Traps on roads
• Avoid direct confrontation
• Use numbers and preparation
• Target Odonia specifically
• Portal ambush into pocket dimension
• Reality manipulation to neutralize threats
• Impossible to defend against conventionally

Strategic Considerations

For Party

Immediate Actions:

• Vary travel routes (don't be predictable)
• Increase vigilance during travel
• Watch for ambushes
• Extra protection for Lady Odonia of Galantri
• Identify magical items from Fizwidget (check for curses/tracking)
• Cannot rely on conventional defenses (Fizwidget can bypass)
• Watch for reality distortions (signs of pocket dimension portals)

Long-term:

• Diplomatic resolution? (apologize, compensate Barry?)
• Military solution? (hunt them down?) - INEFFECTIVE if Fizwidget involved
• Ignore and accept risk? - DANGEROUS given escalation
• Deal with after civil war priorities?
• Seek magical/divine protection against reality manipulation
• Visit Bane Watcher Citadel (may have knowledge of Fey/Archfey)

Resource Allocation:

• No longer minor threat (escalated to MEDIUM-HIGH)
• Could strike at critical moment with reality-warping powers
• Cannot ignore (pocket dimension traps possible)
• Requires magical/supernatural countermeasures

Civil War Context

Opportunities for Gnomes:

• Party distracted with Marshals duties
• Frequent travel (Rally the North)
• Multiple threats = divided attention
• Perfect time to strike
• Fizwidget can create portals anywhere (strike anytime)

Risks for Gnomes:

• Party has 712 troops now
• Attacking Marshals = attacking Crown
• Could bring royal wrath
• Escalation beyond revenge
• Troops ineffective against Fizwidget (reality manipulation)

Possible Resolutions

Diplomatic

Compensation:

• Apologize for injury
• Financial compensation
• Magical healing for eye?
• Make peace with Barry
• Negotiate with Fizwidget (if he'll listen)

Likelihood: Unknown (haven't attempted) Risks: Fizwidget is trickster - may make unfair bargains

Military

Hunt Them Down:

• Use troops to clear woods
• Find and eliminate threat
• Aggressive solution

Risks:

• Overkill, waste of resources
• INEFFECTIVE against Fizwidget (can teleport, create pocket dimensions)
• Could anger Archfey (escalate beyond party's ability to handle)

Magical/Divine Intervention

New Option (Post-Session 27):

• Seek protection at Bane Watcher Citadel
• Divine warding against Fey magic
• Counter-reality manipulation
• Magical defenses

Likelihood: Possible (Citadel may have knowledge) Risks: Time-consuming, may not work against Archfey

Ignore

Accept Risk:

• Focus on bigger threats
• Deal with if/when they strike
• Reactive approach

Risks:

• EXTREMELY DANGEROUS (Fizwidget can trap party permanently)
• Could strike at critical moment
• No conventional defense possible
• Escalated to unacceptable risk level

Recruit

Unlikely Option:

• Turn revenge into alliance?
• Gnome alchemists useful?
• Redirect anger toward Falcon?
• Fizwidget as ally? (trickster nature unreliable)

Likelihood: Very low (personal vendetta, Fey are unpredictable)

Related Information

Related Quests:

• Quests - On Hold#Deal with the Gnome Army (revenge plot, escalated to MEDIUM priority)
• Quests - Mysteries#Fizwidget Spindleflash's True Nature (NEW - Session 27)

Related NPCs:

• Barry/Larry (leader, one-eyed gnome)
• Fizwidget Spindleflash (reality-warping gnome, possible ally/family)
• Lady Odonia of Galantri (shot Barry, primary target)
• River (dog who saw them in vision, threatened by Fizwidget)

Related Locations:

• Woods between Belendar and party's castle
• Party travel routes
• Unknown base/camp location
• Fizwidget's Carnival Realm (pocket dimension, access disappeared)

Related Organizations:

• Riders of the Storm (target of revenge)
• Unknown if connected to other factions
• Possible Fey court connection (if Fizwidget is Archfey)

Related Items:

• Iron Circlet (given by Fizwidget) - properties unknown
• Magical Rope (given by Fizwidget) - properties unknown
• Founder's Wand (given by Fizwidget) - properties unknown
• Hide Armour (given by Fizwidget) - properties unknown

Last Updated: Session 27 Current Status: Active, tracking party, ESCALATED THREAT (Fizwidget connection) Threat Level: MEDIUM-HIGH - Reality manipulation capabilities, Archfey-level support possible, strike timing unknown, conventional defenses inadequate Primary Target: Lady Odonia of Galantri (shooter), possibly entire party Critical Development: Fizwidget Spindleflash (reality-warping gnome) targeted party Session 27, likely avenging Barry's eye injury, demonstrated Archfey/god-level powers including pocket dimension creation, time control, transformation, teleportation