Don't think that for a single second, berk! You only have to meet a gnome to see that they love to work and play hard. Bytopia is about reaping the profits from your work, not in the Arcadian agricultural way - this is slightly harsher and wilder. Bytopians love a challenge whether it be labour, riddle or sport.
They're totally committed to the common good, in fact they're totally committed to whatever they do. There's no room for laziness on Bytopia, the petitioners here dedicate their life to trying to better themselves. Just look at the terrain: Only someone totally committed to work would try and farm a piece of rock, let alone two end to end.
If a Bytopian says he's going to do something then he'll make sure it'll get done or he'll die trying. That's what is so unique about them: They're stubborn. "That ain't unique!" I hear you cry. But it is: They're stubborn in an especially stubborn way. Unlike the Hardheads who're just stubborn about how you should think, or the Guvners who're stubborn about how you and the multiverse should act - Bytopians are just plain stubborn.
Some cutters reckon they've got too much Earth in their blood - Bytopia's about the only place you'll find Earth genasi comfortable on the Outer Planes. The Bytopians seem to be encouraging the growth of Stone Champions by nurturing discontent individuals then sending them on their way.
Don't be mistaken and think it's all just a cycle of work. The Bytopians hold regular sporting competitions famous throughout the Upper Planes (it's rumoured that even the Olympians are a little jealous of their reputation). To even be considered for entry is a mark of respect. Aasimon come from over the Upper Planes to compete against Bytopia's natives and petitioners, as do planars. There are no prizes other than success itself but pretty much every Bytopian aims at being able to participate in the games.
All this rivalry can go too far, Bytopians can be fiercely competitive and think of devious ways to improve themselves. This ain't exactly Mount Celestia and they don't mind bending the odd rule here or there. Even close friends can be temporarily driven apart by differing goals, but at the end of the day they'll get back together. After a day's works done, the Bytopians get together to celebrate their achievements - whether it be by drinking, tales round a hearth, riddle contests or joking.
All in all the Bytopians are a tolerant lot - it's not who you are that count's it's what you do. They're not arrogant either, but show a patient understanding enough to drive a cutter barmy. They'll easily forgive minor wrongs done in the day and make sure that when they go to bed that no ill feeling remains.
A useful tip, this: Bytopia's a good place for an impoverished plane-walker to stop off for a bit, as you can often get a good feed and kip for a days hard work. The Bytopians are always willing to put you up, as long as you can put up with them. It ain't all easy pickings though; the Bytopians are a sly and secretive lot. They've got a set of rules that if you break you'll be in trouble.
Unfortunately, they deem it fun to let you find out what these rules are. As a general rule, if you don't shirk or loiter you should be all right. They're hospitable though and as long as you don't overstay your welcome, you'll eat more than you ever thought you could. The Bytopians encourage visitors to work with them and are even setting up work camps where travellers can work for a longer time. "Encourages betterment of self", they say. Too much like hard work if you ask me.
Just because the inhabitants of Bytopia work a lot doesn't mean that there's no dark there. People say that there's no native races (like Celestia's archons or Baator's baatezu) because everyone's too busy to evolve into them. I heard in the Hive from a barmy gnome that there actually are native races on Bytopia but they're occupied with working some monumental task on the Inner Planes. Not likely, I reckon. After all, what could they be doing...building Prime worlds? Subduing the earth? If they are out there trying something, it's a cert that they'll be there until they succeed.
Another rumour about that I heard is that the Bytopians are attempting to encourage the Mercykillers to send prisoners to their plane to work. I've heard of hard labour on the Lower Planes, but hard labour and attempted reformation in the 'Twin Paradises' - what a terrible thought!
One last warning: Don't try to cross a Bytopian. They can get fanatical about justice. If you've heard of the blood-feuds of Al-Qadim you're on the right track. Scary thought having homicidal gnomes chasing you? It should be.
A bard wove me an old tale about two Bytopians who were trying to gain favour with donations - one was a farmer of gems and the other a miner of gold. Thing is the one thought the other had cheated and spilt his blood on sacred soil. Supposedly there's a tree there now that the murderer was changed into. You'll swing from it if you cross them and their secret laws.
