Gnejsers

Gnejsers is a fictional ethnolinguistic group used in world-building and speculative fiction. The name is inspired by gneiss, a metamorphic rock, signaling a cultural emphasis on stone craft. In typical depictions, the Gnejsers inhabit the northern highlands and foothills where stone and mineral resources shape daily life.

Language and social structure: The people are said to speak Gnejsic, a Northern language with loanwords from neighboring tongues; social organization centers on master masons' guilds and family clans tied to quarry sites. Elders and guildmasters form councils that regulate apprenticeships, workshops, and land use.

History and culture: Their lore emphasizes endurance and practical engineering. Annual rites celebrate quarrying cycles, construction milestones, and stone symbolism. Architecture favors thick walls, archways, and interlocking stone patterns; sculpture often adorns public buildings.

Economy and interaction: Stonework constitutes the core economy, with workshops producing monuments, bridges, and urban façades. The Gnejsers trade stone blocks, carved reliefs, and technical know-how with neighboring communities, while maintaining a reputation for reliability and craftsmanship.

In modern fiction, the Gnejsers appear as a well-organized, craft-focused society whose influence rests on architectural prowess and durable infrastructure. The term is used primarily within fictional settings and is not associated with a real historical group.