Gnome (Warcraft)

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Gnomes as seen in World of Warcraft.

Gnomes are a race from Blizzard Entertainment's video game and book series, Warcraft. Gnomes are native to Dun Morogh and are approximately 3 feet tall with relatively large heads for their proportions. They are likely based on Dragonlance's Tinker Gnome

They are a technically and magically inclined race, producing technology that rivals that of the Goblins and is more inclined towards ingenious gizmos and gadgets instead of the explosive devices typical of goblin technology. This does not mean that gnomish inventions are not known to blow up on occasion. In fact, it is not rare to see a gnome stare in amazement at an invention that actually works. Despite this, they seem to have an at least basic understanding of Quantum Physics. The Gnomes have long been close allies of the Dwarves, their home city of Gnomeregan being only a few miles from Ironforge, and provide much of the technology used by the Dwarven Military.

The gnome racial mount is the mechanostrider, a mechanical tallstrider (ostrich/emu-like beast). Dwarves can learn how to ride a mechanostrider if they are exalted with the Gnomeregan Exiles.

Gnomes have only appeared in Warcraft II and World of Warcraft. Their absence in Warcraft III was the result of the "Gnomeregan attack" by the Troggs.

Contents

1 History
2 Roleplaying Gnomes
3 Famous Gnomes

3.0.1 High Tinker Gelbin Mekkatorque
3.0.2 Mekgineer Sicco Thermaplugg

History

Gnomish flying machine.

Gnomes of Gnomeregan insignia.

Little is known about the Gnomes' ancient history, though due to their close relation to dwarves (referring to each other as "cousins") as well as appearance, size, and global distribution, it is possible that they are an evolutionary offshoot of the dwarves, presumably splitting off sometime before the War of Three Hammers (see Dwarf History.)

The first known point in their history is when they served in the Second War aboard flying machines and submarines. After the war, the Gnomes taught the Dwarves to build gyrocopters and firearms. The Gnomes served the Alliance well during the Second War, but strangely, they refused to send any personnel to aid their allies during the Burning Legion's invasion in the Third War. Though their designs helped turn the tide against the Legion, the Dwarves and Humans were shocked by the Gnomes' decision to withhold their courageous troops and pilots. Eventually it became known that during the outbreak of the Third War, a swarm of Troggs had attacked the city of Gnomeregan, and the Gnomes were fighting to survive.

The battle for Gnomeregan lasted throughout most of the Third War, until the High Tinker of Gnomeregan, Gelbin Mekkatorque, was convinced by his chief advisor, Mekgineer Sicco Thermaplugg, to use the radiation generated by many gnome machines against the troggs by way of pumping the fumes through the air vents. Unfortunately, many gnomes were trapped in the city and killed or irradiated by this strategy, wiping out nearly half of the Gnomish race and making almost all of the survivors who had remained in the city into lepers. The weapon had little effect on the Troggs, who simply absorbed the radiation, becoming even more dangerous. Thermaplugg was revealed to have become insane and have planned this all along.

The ragged Gnomes that survived fled to the safety of the Dwarven stronghold of Ironforge, where they attempt to rebuild their civilization. There, the High Tinker began a project to build a giant tram between Ironforge and the Azerothian city Stormwind. This tram ran through an underground river called the Deeprun, and adopted that name. It was completed 3 years after the crowning of Arthas.

Committed once again to the Alliance's cause, the Gnomes spend their time devising strategies and weapons that will help them retake their ravaged city and build a brighter future for their people.

Roleplaying Gnomes

Gnomes are one of the most interesting races to roleplay, because the Warcraft lore can be twisted (legitimately), to create a much darker side to the relationship between dwarves and gnomes. Many roleplaying gnomes claim that the fall of Gnomeregan was, at best the result of the unwillingness of the Dwarves to intervene to protect it, and, at worst, the result of a Dwarven plot. Many gnomes claim that they are kept as slaves by the Dwarves of Ironforge, and rabble rousers can often be heard in Ironforge and Kharanos attempting to alert their fellows to the slavery they are kept in, and start a revolution.

Of course this is just player choices. There are no signs in the Warcraft world that suggests this, as a matter of fact it suggests otherwise, that the gnomes and dwarves get along greatly and there is no slavery afoot. Otherwise they would not be playable and able to roam freely like they do and yet still be welcome to Ironforge. They'd more than likely have been a Horde race instead.

Traditional fantasy lore presents the gnomish people as a curious, small people who loves to peek their nose into everyone else's business and are proficient with magic and engineering (though Gnomish engineering projects have as much of a chance to blow up in your face as they do to work properly.) The Gnomes are notorious for the fact that they can get along with anyone, even the races of the Horde. Gnomes have no great love of the Undead (of the Forsaken) however and are somewhat distrusting of High Elves but mostly keep that feeling to themselves.

Famous Gnomes

High Tinker Gelbin Mekkatorque

The democratically elected leader of Gnomeregan, the High Tinker now holds his exiled court in Tinker Town in Ironforge. He stands atop his mighty throne wielding an Arclight Spanner and a shield, offering a level 35 quest to all those brave enough to enter Gnomeregan and slay the evil Mekgineer Thermaplugg. Mekkatorque, who, on Thermaplugg's advice, irradiated Gnomeregan and ordered its evacuation now carries the weight of his people on his shoulders and the shame of those killed in Gnomeregan. He is, however, credited with the construction of the Deeprun Tram, a fast running form of transportation between Ironforge and Stormwind built in the underground river "Deeprun".

Mekgineer Sicco Thermaplugg

Once High Tinker Mekkatorque's most trusted lieutenant, he coveted his position, and during the defence of Gnomeregan from the Troggs convinced Mekkatorque to irradiate the city, resulting in countless gnome deaths and its subsequent evacuation. It is theorised that he was behind the entire Trogg assault upon the city, and also that he is under Dark Iron influence (Dark Irons are at the very least, present within the irradiated Gnomeregan), though proof of either is difficult to find. One fact is certain: he intentionally sabotaged the city so that he could become High Tinker. He now lives permanently within a purpose built mechanical walker which makes him a most terrifying sight to behold, and considers himself to be the High Tinker of the shattered city.

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