The Gnomes

Lore & Background

Over the years, their presence has become a background constant in the town's ecology. While they do not rule over any specific faction, they operate with a hive-like coordination that makes them difficult to predict. Their existence highlights the show's recurring theme of adults ignoring obvious dangers while children navigate the supernatural reality. Notably, they are not known to consume humans who trespass in their gardens during the night, as no such behavior has been depicted in canon.

In Their Own Story

The streetlamps flickered as Stan walked home through the snow. He froze when he heard a crunching sound from Mr. Garrison's yard. Peering over the fence, he saw dozens of red hats moving in unison among the bushes. They weren't statues anymore; they were hunting. Stan held his breath, knowing that if he made a single noise, the garden would swallow him whole.

Reader's Guide

These entities exist primarily as inanimate garden decorations during daylight hours, standing motionless on lawns and flowerbeds throughout Colorado. Residents often purchase them for aesthetic purposes without realizing their true nature. They possess no official wielder or master, though children sometimes attempt to control them for pranks or profit schemes.

Activation occurs strictly after sunset or when human observation lapses completely. Once the sun sets, the clay bodies gain mobility and consciousness. They operate as a hive mind of sorts, coordinating attacks on unsuspecting sleepers or trespassers in their territory. Their movement is silent and deliberate, relying on stealth rather than brute force alone.

Interaction with these figures is strongly discouraged by local safety standards. Physical contact can result in injury or disappearance, as they are known to be cannibalistic toward humans who venture too close. The only defense is removal from the property during daylight before nightfall. Even then, some reports suggest they may return if not disposed of properly. They represent a persistent supernatural hazard within the town's borders.

Did You Know?

• Cartman attempted to profit by having them steal underpants for his scheme, contradicting any claim that he never tried to build a business selling them.
• Contrary to some claims, they are not known to consume humans who trespass in their gardens during the night.
• Their daytime appearance is completely static, making detection impossible without prior knowledge.