Species in The Oz Series
Nomes
Also known as many thousands of the Nomes, queerly shaped but powerful sprites, rock fairies, the shifting Nomes, Nome soldiers, another Nome, we Nomes, shifting, rock-colored Nomes.
Many thousands of queerly shaped but powerful sprites who live and labor under the Nome King's rule, working at furnaces and forges to make gold, silver, and other metals, and to make and hide diamonds, rubies, and emeralds in the ground and the crevices of rocks.
Appears in 6 chapters, first in chapter 57, last in chapter 67.
This encyclopedia covers chapters 1 to 100 of the story and shows the world as it stands at chapter 100, so it contains spoilers up to that point. To read it spoiler free, one chapter at a time, open the interactive codex.
What the story establishes
| Cultural norms | Nomes cling to and glide across the rock surfaces near the palace entrance like flies on glass, jeering with mocking laughter at outsiders who approach, and vanish instantly and fall silent the moment the Nome King issues a low growl of warning. (as of ch. 59) |
| Habitat | The underground world beneath the great mountain at the north end of the Land of Ev, where they labor at furnaces and forges amid the rocks. (as of ch. 57) |
| Innate traits | Queerly shaped but powerful sprites, skilled at labor in furnaces and forges, and at making and concealing precious metals and gems in rock and earth. (as of ch. 57) |
Relationships
- subordinate to → the Nome King ch. 59The Nomes are rock fairies who serve the Nome King, flitting over the cliff face and vanishing at his growl to open the hidden palace door.
- leader of ← the Nome King ch. 57The Nome King commands many thousands of Nomes, queerly shaped but powerful sprites who labor at his furnaces and forges making gold, silver, and gems.
From the text
Under his rule are many thousands of the Nomes, who are queerly shaped but powerful sprites that labor at the furnaces and forges of their king, making gold and silver and other metals which they conceal in the crevices of the rocks, so that those living upon the earth's surface can only find them with great difficulty.Chapter 57