The common Garden Gnome (Pumilio pedes) is a delightful feature native to gardens across Europe. While imported to the more elaborate domiciles on a global scale, the Order maintains its greatest presence in the Eurasian region. A number of exceptions may be confirmed in both the New World and Indo-China constituencies, but these are limited to the Duende family (Tribulatio) and the kappa family (Cucumis) native to Central America and Japan respectively. The de facto text dating to the 5th century B.C. (Gallofree Compendium of Peoples, by Sir Frederick Umbulkirk the First) compiled multiple avenues for future research, but the current known extant species are sufficiently complex without additional speculation.
Note: Lest there be confusion, the Brevis Order with members such as the Leprechaun (Brevis aurum), Kobold (Brevis bellus) or Brownie (Brevis culina) are not considered members of the Pumilio order. Their sentience has been proven through the Mortis Aprendi verification process – since disbanded as official procedure in the Calwick Decree of 1602 (Calwick v ICW).
Gnomes possess multiple characteristics, but can be said to encapsulate several singular traits. As a potential threat to wizarding kind, disagreeing viewpoints exist, but the vast majority conclude with minimal threat. As a single X rated species, their harmlessness can be assured, with common sense.
Historic records for P. pedes note an early presence in Eastern Europe, when the Culling of 1317 began a required survey. Although known to exist prior to this date, little to no records exist (An Complete Beaste Rekord, by Magus Ozwald Hatch), it is known that small communities cultured interactions with P. pedes. As pests, the P. pedes were considered dangerous for small livestock and children. Eradicating populations through lethal methods proved counter-productive; one strange facet of the P. pedes traits is a capacity to smell blood of their own kind. This incites swarming behavior (The Gnome and its Kin, by Murray McGregor, Chr. 3, p. 12) and draws P. pedes populations towards the region where its blood was shed. At that time there existed no spell or ritual capable of locating every specimen in existence, which rendered an influx that never ceased until the blood faded.
To rid themselves of the pestilence a local natural philosopher (known then as 'Hedge Wizard') Draco Consommé, a skilled ritual creator, discovered that P. pedes remained highly unintelligent for geography when blood is not involved (Rasmussen et. al.). Consommé promoted the concept of taking advantage of the beast's minimal intelligence and created a rotation pattern designed to not only rid the locale of the infestation, but also blend into muggle culture. Later generations altered the ritual, and it may still be observed in agrarian societies as celebrations of spring – albeit known as the 'May Pole Dance' rather than the 'Rite of Ending Infestations.'
The life history of P. pedes lacks extravagant details often found in magical zoology (Garden Pests, by Charles Eventyr¸ Chr. 17, p. 135, 5th Ed.). The average P. pedes stand on two feet with two hands like a small wizard, yet has a head shaped in a rough approximation of what kind souls call a 'potato,' reaching an overall height of less than half a span. P. pedes are both carnivorous and scavengers, eating everything within their grasp but delighting in earth worms and subterranean/terrestrial mammals. If possible, they will climb into trees for nests and into burrows (Eventyr, p. 137). In short, they are rapacious predators fully capable of eradicating a garden of its creature population.
A unique characteristic of the P. pedes is its ability to scent blood. If blood is spilled in the vicinity if P. pedes, it may be assumed that a specimen will arrive within minutes of the event. If the injured creature is weak enough, the P. pedes will wait until senescence has occurred before feeding. If a P. pedes is injured however, the entire community will emerge, closing in on the target location. It is not known if the reaction is defensive or offensive in nature, as the injured specimen is frequently lost in the mass soon coming. Cannibalism has not been observed, yet rumors persist without clear evidence to the contrary.
Relatives of the P. pedes, within the order Pumilio include the Red Cap (P. iratus), Voettir (P. praesidio) and Tomte (P. artificium).
The Red Cap (Pumilio iratus) is one of the most dangerous representatives of this order. Native to southern Europe, but infamous for the variety discovered in England, P. iratus dwells in former battlefields, using its unusual body traits in predatory habits. Above-average intellect allows P. iratus to employ solitary stealth tactics, using terrain to its advantage (Dangers of the Historian, by H. Aichan, Chr. 9, p. 656). While vicious, the P. iratus is timid; speaking to it in a loud, firm voice will terrify it beyond words. As a warning, those who use this method can expect P. iratus to flee, but some occurrences demonstrate how a single specimen may charge the speaker, leaping and stabbing with long arms and sharp teeth.
If blood is shed, P. iratus will follow its injured prey so long as it remains within its territory.
Voettir (Pumilio praesidio) and the Tomte (Pumilio artificium) are, by contrast, considered protectors of Norse lore (Saga of Belfrust, c. 879 AD). Their long lifespan combined with a hierarchy linked with land holders proves the legends to have some grain of truth. Individuals hostile to the landowner are frequent victims of P. praesidio violence, a tendency attributed to intent-based capabilities. No specimen has been studied alive or dead, as P. praesidio allow only the land owner to approach, and will vanish under conditions not yet fully understood. Meanwhile, the Tomte (Pumilio artificium) maintains a small presence in northern Finland. Unlike its cousins, P. artificium dwells completely aboveground, usually in farmyard buildings or old growth forests. Like P. praesidio, it will aid the landowner, but unlike its cousin P. artificium will tend to guide lost herd animals and children to safety. Lands protected by a P. artificium rarely fear losing livestock to predators, and somehow become aware of trespassers well before in immediate danger (Way of the Fey, by Coombs et. al., Chr. 17, pg. 155).
Further conjecture posits the P. praesidio to be a projection. A single specimen may be observed on opposite sides of a property without magical flux associated with Apparition, and may fall in combat only to vanish utterly without a trace. After vanishing, P. praesidio will reappear, sometimes months or years after appearing to die, looking nigh identical to how it first was seen (Saga of Belfast).
Little is known of the Duende family (Tribulatio). Acquiring information became a priority of the combined New World Explorations Committee, within the auspices of squib researcher Hernando D'oro Vasquez Cortez, which to date remains the only source.
First supposed to be a version of poltergeist, Tribulatio actually possess an innate form of physical magics. As petite individuals (a third of a span tall), the entire Family moves via propulsion. Large leaps up to thirty times its length incorporate magic in a resilient body, ricocheting off solid objects in unpredictable angles (see: Fifteen Letters of Cortez for His Majesty and Majister King Phillipe, or Cartas de Relación). With this in mind, it is of little surprise that the supposition of non-corporeal interaction was assumed. Two specimens captured and dissected remain in the División de Investigación Especial. Studies are not permitted without direct permission.
Finally, the Kappa (Cucumis) is one of the best-studied members of the Pumilio family. Nocturnal ambush predators, these representatives of the Family are desired on agrarian production grounds. While non-violent, P. cucumis are sensitive to their surroundings and encourage plant life to grow. The presence of a single P. Cucumis enhances the yield of a full dozen acres by a factor of four (see: Farming Techniques of the Old Lands, by Amagati Tobaya), and their mere presence will encourage the growth of magical plants in a way unseen by any but the most dedicated of herbariums. As such, the P. cucumis is a protected species under the auspices of the Nippon Confederation; interference is punishable through expulsion and/or execution.
In conclusion, there are nearly thirty known Family distinctions within the Pumilo Order. Limits to their populations are by no means restrictive. The true natural philosopher will observe these necessary members of the magical kingdom.
Charles Kriegnav, Amateur Researcher for the Gnomish Liberation Society, Albion Alumna Award recipient (2012) and spokesman for the Ethical Exceptions for Extreme Pests
