They may have a catastrophic crop failure on gourds, or need more than they have and cannot grow any in a hurry, or some other supply chain related failure.
Apparently one of Xeotams dialogues includes a discussion about how the elves are believed to worship gods and that this is an error and they actually worship gourds. The Aldryami version of King of Sartar will be subtitled How One Elf Become a Gourd.
Keith
>
> On 1/17/2012 3:22 AM, bernuetz wrote:
> > I was thinking more of small pots with lids for holding salves and the
> > like which may have some advantages over anything the elves may be
> > able to make themselves.
>
> I think the Aldryami would use gourds. Undoubtedly they would need a
> leaf or a cork to close the gourd but that's not something the Aldryami
> will have problems in making.
>
> --Peter Metcalfe
>