Gnomes
From Infocentral
Contents |
Intoduction and History
The eccentric, often-brilliant gnomes are one of the most peculiar races of the world. With their obsession for developing radical new technologies and constructing marvels of mind-bending engineering, it's a wonder that any gnomes have survived to proliferate.
No one knows much about the gnomes' history before dwarves discovered them, not even the gnomes know much of their own history prior to the second war. Historically, there are some records of gnomes having contact with other races. There is the occasional historical documentation of individual gnomes having contact with humans and high elves in the northern continent of Lordaeron in Tirisfal Glades as early as 848 years before The Burning Crusade.
The first recorded interaction between gnomes and dwarves occurred 200 years prior to The Burning Crusade. As the story goes, a dwarven explorer came across a small gnomish village. He was shocked to discover that while dwarves had just discovered gunpowder, the gnomes already had a fully automated village with such novelties as mechanical chickens. Contact between the two races grew, and soon, they became quick allies, and the dwarves allowed the gnomes to build their capital city, Gnomeregan in the foothills of Dun Morogh, near the capital, Ironforge. Shortly after this alliance was formed, the War of the Three Hammers occurred.
Thriving within the wondrous techno-city of Gnomeregan, the gnomes shared the resources of the forested Dun Morogh peaks with their dwarven cousins. Though dwarves also have a propensity for technology and engineering, it is gnomes who provide the critical, visionary designs for most of dwarven weapons and steam vehicles.
GnomeThe gnomes served the Alliance well during the Second War. Strangely, they refused to send any personnel to aid their allies during the Burning Legion's recent invasion during the Third War. Though their designs helped turn the tide against the Legion, humans and Bronzebeard and Wildhammer dwarves were shocked by Gnomeregan's decision to withhold their courageous troops and pilots.
When the Third War ended, the Alliance discovered the reason for the gnomes' sudden withdrawal. Apparently, a barbaric menace - troggs - had risen from the bowels of the earth and invaded Gnomeregan. Knowing that their allies' priority was defeating the Burning Legion, the gnomes decided to make their stand alone against the troggs.
Though they fought valiantly to save their beloved city, Gnomeregan was lost and nearly half of the gnomish race was wiped out during its fall. The ragged survivors fled to the safety of the Ironforge.
Committed once again to the cause of the Alliance, gnomes spend their time devising strategies and weapons that will help them retake their ravaged city and build a brighter future for their people. Currently, gnomes can be seen living in numerous Alliance and Neutral cities such as Darkshire, Gadgetzan and Auberdine. One can also spot the occasional gnome hovel in places like Tanaris, the Hinterlands and Azshara. Their ruling council of the gnomes has reunited at Tinker Town in Ironforge. Their only notable settlement is in Blade's Edge Mountains in Outland - the only all-gnomish town known, Toshley's Station.
Culture
Little is actually known about gnomish culture. Though what gnomish life really revolves around is unclear, it is perceived by most to be about striving towards the next levels of technology and knowledge through experimentation and tinkering (this is corroborated by the comments and clothing of gnome NPCs).
Technology
Gnomish technology seems to focus on seemingly pointless, inane and impractical goals that are occasionally strewn with malfunctions and backfires, often as the expense of the user's health, well-being and physical form. This is most evident in Gnomish Engineering. Most gnomish experimentation focuses on bending the laws of time, space and physics, as seen in the many experimentation quests of Toshley's Station. While mainly impractical, such as the Gnomish Poultryizer or Shrink Ray, occasionally, they may stumble into something useful, such as the Deeprun Tram.
Legacy
The first historical account of a gnome is Erbag, the gnomish representative of the Tirisfalen during the early days of Aegwynn. Erbag was described as being highly talkative as well as rather impatient with Aegwynn. He stands as an accurate and general example of gnomish psyche. He was already inducted by the time of eight hundred and forty-eight years prior to World of Warcraft and spoke on par with his Human and Elven counterparts, despite their relative obscurity in historical records. Gnomes have not had Kings or Queens in 400 years.WoWMan 175APG 147MG 168
The first documented contact between dwarves and gnomes occurred roughly 200 years before The Burning Crusade, and they became fast allies, allowing the gnomes to build the gnomish capital Gnomeregan in their lands.
Since the dwarves' recent discovery of Titanic origins, the gnomes think that they too may be products of Titans. This fact is very uncertain, however; if it is true, the gnomes as yet remain estranged from their ancestral powers.
Appearence
Gnomes are small, slight and nifty. They somewhat resemble dwarves, but are even shorter, not as stocky, and have large heads in proportion to their bodies. They have large noses and ruddy skin, their ears are large and rounded, and their hair color varies wildly, some even having pink hair. They have four fingers on each hand. They are often seen with goggles, tool belts and other items related to their technological inclinations.
Affiliation
Gnomes have historically been allies of the Alliance races, namely, Dwarves and Humans, and have fought alongside them in most all Alliance wars. Having fought against orcs and Trolls in the previous wars, there may be some grudge against them. Their relationship with the Goblin races seems to be that of a rivalry (though whether or not it is a violent or peaceful one is up for debate). In regards to Tauren, they are considered to be rather primitive and rustic by gnomes. Gnomes in Night Elf territories are tolerated, despite the high number of gnomes who work with arcane forces. The gnomes believe that with their use of arcane magics and technology they offer something that night elves lack in defense of their lands.
Faith
Gnomes place their loyalty in themselves, in their friends and in their inventions. A few follow a loftier path and pay their respects to the Holy Light. Since the Ironforge dwarves' recent discovery of their Titanic origins, the gnomes think that they too may be products of the Titans. This is very uncertain, however; if it is true, the gnomes as yet remain estranged from their ancestral powers with the exception of a few female gnomes within the sisters of steel that have shown abilities to turn their flesh to stone or steel.
Gnomish Names
Gnome parents name their children at birth. Gnomes have family names that represent an honored ancestor's achievements, but they only keep these names until some time in their thirties. At this point, gnome society expects them to have made their own achievements, and thus the gnome invents a new name that represents his own accomplishments. This name then takes the place of his family name.
