In a reversal of policy, the Goblin Council of Elders has declared all gnome settlements illegal, citing an obscure goblin code that prohibits non-goblin communities within the Goblin Nation's borders. The gnomes, realizing the pixie-fueled allure of their culture has faded, have begun a hasty retreat.
"We apologize for any inconvenience," Elder Gnarltooth announced with a smug grin, "but goblin law is goblin law. And goblin law clearly states that goblins are the only ones allowed to be goblins in the Goblin Nation."
Gnome businesses are shutting down, gnome restaurants are going dark and gnome families are packing their belongings and fleeing for the hills, many on giant snails, which means the exodus is expected to take several years.
"We thought we had found a new home among the goblins," said Gnorman Gnomington, whose Gnomish Grub chain closed its last branch this morning. "But our welcome wore off faster than a pixie's magic spell. And the second tax was a lot."
The Council is unrepentant, calling the gnome presence a "temporary aberration."
"We wish the gnomes well in their future endeavors," said Elder Gnarltooth, with a hint of sarcasm. "It's time for them to go back to wherever they came from and leave us goblins to our own devices."
The exodus is expected to hit the economy hard, since many goblin businesses relied on gnome customers and suppliers. The Council calls it an opportunity for goblin entrepreneurs to fill the void. The first to do so has opened a restaurant serving glow-in-the-dark mushroom stew, under the name Goblinish Grub.
