There are many types of gnomes in the world. The different races of gnomes range in size from approximately half the size of an average human at the tallest, to the size of a human finger at the smallest. These magical beings are incredibly intelligent and in touch with nature. Rarely ever do they require assistance, and when they do they tend to ask other gnomes. But, when they do ask for assistance from outsiders, one should be wary, for whatever challenge awaits he who answers that call is too much even for the gnomes.

Cities and towns in the region were abuzz when the bounty went up on billboards everywhere. The woodland gnomes deep in the eastern forest, far away from any human village, were desperate for assistance. Still, being an isolated city, they would only let people into the city on a particular day. A monster had been terrorizing them, striking when the moon was full. Every decent adventurer knew it was a werewolf, but why would the gnomes have trouble with such a simple abomination?

The closer I got to the gnome city, the more adventurers I encountered on their way there. Many were rangers with a specialty in hunting werewolves. I made friends with a dwarf named Griffrod Stonefoot, and we entered the forest together. When we arrived at the city, there was a line to get in. After an hour’s wait, we were greeted by the most adorable little gnome princess at the entrance to the city made for tall people. At least, that’s how they referred to us. She was dressed in pink and purple with her hair in curls topped with a ceremonial cone hat.

“Hello adventurer, I’m Princess Floramore.” The princess curtsied, then a taller, more or less finger-sized gnome bowed and presented her a pillow with a wand on it. Before she twirled the wand in the air and chanted an incantation, she said, “Welcome to Glitterfalls!”

“Greetings. Thank you princess. I…” my voice shrank along with me, the world growing rapidly to my eyes. Before I knew it, I was not much taller than an apple. Griffrod laughed, but when he was shrunk a moment later and still had to look up to meet my eyes, he huffed and looked displeased.

“I thought they’d make us all the same size,” he said.

With a hearty laugh, I led the way into the gnome city. I nodded at one of the dozen fully-armored gnome guards standing at either side of the entrance and he nodded back with a smile. It gave me a chance to marvel at the gnome’s proportions without staring rudely.

When they’re tiny, the gnome’s giant heads were adorable, but at scale, they were absurdly large. They resembled extremely stocky humans with a head half the size of their bodies. Their features were still bubbly and cute, but their hands were larger and thicker than any sausage-fingered man I had ever seen, and their mouths were so big they could bite off my head if they so desired. For the first time in my life, I was slightly terrified of gnomes.

“It’s downright humiliating being shorter than a gnome,” said Griffrod.

“Have you considered that right this very moment, you’re the shortest dwarf in the world?”

A gruff harumph sputtered from Griffrod before he could manage a sentence. “Aye, you’re one hell of a cheeky human. It’s worth it if I come out of here with the reward for this.”

“Seems like a bit much just to kill a werewolf. I wonder what they haven’t told us yet,” I said, glancing around us as we walked. Gnomes moved to and fro with food and drink. A few meters ahead, the hall opened up into a massive room, and the aroma of various delectable foods lofted toward us. “Perhaps, the food alone could be worth it.”

“Amen to that.” Griffrod said almost in awe, pausing at the entrance to a massive banquet hall filled with approximately fifty adventurers dining and getting to know one another. The walls were lined with servants bringing food and drinks into the hall, then floating them to their intended destinations so as to avoid any hustle and bustle.

We were approached by a striking young gnome woman holding a small handbag. From the handbag she pulled two necklaces with a gem in the front and placed one on each of us, speaking with a squeaky, adorable voice.

“Welcome to the banquet hall, adventurers. Food, drink, and shelter are provided for while you are here in the aid of Glitterfalls. If you are summoned, this necklace will inform you and lead you to where you need to be. They can be used to communicate with you and with each other. The King will address all adventurers here in the hall tomorrow before lunch. Do not be late. Please, enjoy the feast!”

“Thank you!” I said with a smile and a bow, moving into the hall. Griffrod gave the lady a wink, to which she giggled and smiled slyly before turning her attention to the next adventurer.

We gleefully joined in the feast until our stomachs could hold no more. The food was incredible, the drinks were the most delightful brews I had ever tasted, and the gnomes were the most gracious hosts. At the end of the night, the necklace the beautiful gnome woman gave us not only showed us to our rooms, but manifested a giant fluffy pillow to carry us there if we needed.