Handmade Scandinavian Gnome — Potion Maker

Deep in the forest, where pine trees weave shadows with their prickly boughs, hides a small and ancient house. Not everyone may simply wander close by, for in that stone dwelling lives a most mysterious gnome. Despite his brooding appearance, he is held in tremendous respect among gnomes. One can often see this or that forest dweller slipping quietly through the old door, then leaving a while later carrying something beneath a cloak.

But the gnome's mysteriousness has a simple explanation — he is the Potion Maker. Calm and always focused, he is versed in many secrets of the brewing art. He has a great many books on the properties of plants, animals and substances. Delving into ancient knowledge, he works out his own combinations of ingredients for his potions.

Few among the forest dwellers can boast of having been inside the Potion Maker's laboratory. But those who have been granted such trust claim that the stone floor is covered in cauldrons of bubbling potions, and the shelves to the ceiling are filled with vials of ingredients. And wherever you look, there are ancient books with mysterious notes — and only the Potion Maker himself understands their true content.

Recipes sealed with wax he writes in a particular hand — cramped, with abbreviations understood only by him. Once the Archivist asked to take a look. The Potion Maker handed it over. The Archivist looked for a long time, then returned it in silence. Since then the gnome's manuscript has been considered the most unreadable document in Gnomenlands — and this from a gnome who could read in seventeen languages.

In his hand the gnome holds a glass jar containing a very powerful luck potion. It is exceedingly difficult to prepare, but its properties justify the effort. In his hands he also holds scrolls with its recipe, sealed with wax. Of course, to all appearances the gnome is quite sombre, but his red beard betrays his true good nature. And if help is genuinely needed, the Potion Maker will always provide it.