WoW RaceNotes: Gnomes

The WoW RaceNotes Series are for helping roleplayers learn more about the player races to help create a backstory and roleplay characters in World of Warcraft.

Use these as tools and guides for information. Updates will happen as new information/lore is available to add “life” to your characters.

Introduction: 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.

Thriving within the wondrous techno-city of Gnomeregan, the Gnomes shared the resources of the forested Dun Morogh Peaks with their Dwarven cousins. Though the Dwarves of Ironforge also have a propensity for technology and engineering – it is the gnomes who provide the critical, visionary designs for most of the Dwarves’ weapons and steam vehicles.

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 recent invasion. 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.

When the war ended, the Alliance discovered the reason for the Gnomes’ sudden withdrawal. Apparently, an ancient, barbaric menace 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. Though they fought valiantly to save their beloved city, Gnomeregan was irrevocably lost.

Nearly half of the Gnomish race was wiped out during the fall of Gnomeregan. The ragged Gnomes that survived fled to the safety of the Dwarves’ stronghold of Ironforge. 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.

Gnome Information:

Affilation: Alliance
http://www.wowwiki.com/Alliance

Additional Intro: Though small in stature, the Gnomes of Khaz Modan have used their great intellect to secure a place in history. Indeed, their subterranean kingdom, Gnomeregan, was once a marvel of steam-driven technology. Even so, due to a massive Trogg invasion, the city was lost. Now it’s builders are vagabonds in the Dwarven lands, aiding their allies as best they can.

Leader: High Tinker Gelbin Mekkatorque
http://www.wowwiki.com/Gelbin_Mekkatorque

Capitol: Ironforge (Tinker Town)
http://www.wowwiki.com/Ironforge

Main Language: Gnomish
http://www.wowwiki.com/Gnomish_(language)

IC RP “Speak”: “English”, from crude to proper, some with a technology/techo-babble slant to it

Main Groups: Explorer’s League

Main faith/Philosophy: None

Allies: Dwarves, Humans, Night Elves, Draenei

Racial Enemy: Troggs (Also shaky truce – enemies with Horde forces)
Note: Not exactly a enemy, but Gnomes and Goblins have a slight “difference of opinion” of whose technology is the best.

Basic Height, Weight & Age:
Male Height: 3′2″-3′10″
Female Height: 3′-3′8″

Male Weight: 42-48 lb.
Female Weight: 37-43 lb.

Adulthood: 40 years.
Middle Age: 100 years.
Old: 150 years.
Venerable: 200 years.
Life Expectancy: 203-500 years.

OOC Culture Reference: Some Steampunk with a mix of fantasy and magic, depending on the character’s focus. Not all Gnomes are inventors, tinkers or mages, however.

Additional RP/Information Links:
http://www.wowwiki.com/Gnome
http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/races/gnomes.html
http://www.wowinsider.com/2008/09/14/all-the-worlds-a-stage-so-you-want-to-be-a-gnome/
http://lore.dramatis-personae.com/worldofwarcraft/wowrace/gnome.php
http://www.blizzplanet.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=462
http://www.answers.com/topic/gnome-warcraft

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Note: Please note that the only official sources of lore information are the ones coming directly from Blizzard, or officially endorsed by the company. Everything else for the most is player created and not 100% accurate.