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FRENCH GNOME BARBEGAZI
Small gnomes who live in the mountainous regions of
France and Switzerland known as the Swiss Alps. They look just like other gnomes
except for their large, oversized feet, their most notable
feature, with which they can easily walk and ski
over snow and use for digging caves and tunnels.
These feet are specially adapted for their frozen habitat
and allow them to walk upon the snow as if snowshoeing.
Also, given a steep enough hillside, it is not uncommon for
them to actually use their feet as skis. They can also use
their feet as spades to dig themselves out in case they get
stuck or to shovel a path after a snowstorm.
The Barbegazi are known to be shy and reclusive, however,
they are very helpful when encountered especially by
shepherds who need help roundup up lost sheep or goat.
They live in a network of caves and tunnels
at the summits of high peaks, where they also estivate during
the summer and will even go into hibernation if the weather
becomes too warm for their liking; only to awaken again at
the first snowfall. They are rarely seen, and then only in
the winter months, when the temperature drops below zero.
They never venture below the tree-line and never come down
from their icy mountain-top homes.
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Should the need arise, a barbegazi can cover himself
with snow in seconds, and dig himself out no matter how deep
he may be buried.
Their call can be heard echoing thru the mountains as they shout
to one another. The few times they have been sighted is usually only
before an avalanche or blizzard, which they enjoy very much. One of
their greatest joys is to ride the avalanche like a sled down the
mountaintops. In their kindly, helpful manner, they have been known
to warn humans of avalanches and impending storms. In general though
they prefer to steer clear of humans, disappearing before they are
spotted.
Their hair is frozen
and resembles icicles. The Barbegazi are often also referred
to as "Frozen Beard" because of their long beard which drags behind
them in the snow. The word is believed to originate from the French, barbe glacées, which
means "frozen beards".
It was revealed that Barbegazi are actually quite ordinary
looking gnomes without all the ice. This was revealed after several
Barbegazi were captured and taken down from the cold mountains to a
village home. Soon after, the icicles melted revealing their true
looks, unfortunately, however, the poor, captured creatures soon
died.
Variants: barbe glacées (French), frozen beards.
The sun in morning
freshness shines;
At noon behold his orb o'ercast;
Hollow and dreary o'er the pines,
Like distant ocean, moans the blast.
The mountains darken at the sound,
Put on their armor, and anon,
In panoply of clouds wrapt round,
Their forms from sight are gone.
James Montgomery, The Alps
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