Gnome

This page is about the Gnomes lore, for the playable gnomes characteristics see Gnome (Playable) ''The eccentric, often brilliant gnomes are held as 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. Over the years, the gnomes have contributed ingenious weapons to aid the Grand Alliance in its fierce battles against the Horde. Thriving in the wondrous techno-city of Gnomeregan, the gnomes shared the resources of the forested peaks of Dun Morogh with their dwarven cousins for generations. Yet recently, a barbaric menace rose up from the bowels of the earth and invaded Gnomeregan. Aided by their dwarven allies, the gnomes fought a valiant battle to save their beloved city. Nevertheless, Gnomeregan was irrelevantly lost. The surviving gnomes flew to the safety of the dwarf stronghold of Ironforge. There they remained; devising strategies to retake their city. As a gnome of proud stand, it falls to you to answer the challenge and lead your curious people to a brighter future.'' -Gnomes Introduction Cutscene

The gnomes (collectively referred to as gnomanity, gnomekind or gnomefolk) are a race of diminutive and highly intelligent humanoids, known for their mastery of technology. For years the gnomes were based in Gnomeregan, providing technological support to the Alliance during the Second War, until a trogg invasion and treachery from within irradiated Gnomeregan and killed as much as eighty percent of the gnomish population. The gnomes were forced into exile in Tinker Town in the dwarven capital of Ironforge.

Early history
Little is known concerning gnomish history previous to the Second War — even among gnomes themselves. Much of gnomish philosophy is focused on forward-thinking, inventive concepts, and little thought has ever been given to history or non-scientific records. It was not until centuries after their transformation into flesh-and-blood beings that gnomes were recognized as a viable and important race. The dwarves were impressed with the ingenuity and quickness of their smaller "kin", and they assisted the gnomes in constructing a capital city, Gnomeregan, in the foothills of Dun Morogh near the dwarves' own capital of Ironforge.

Gnomes are remarkably adept arcanists. Pound for pound, they are some of the most potent casters the world has ever known, and have always had a presence in the Kirin Tor. Gnomish society was already in contact with the humans of Arathor and high elves of Quel'Thalas as early as 2,600 BDP. A notable gnome of this time period was Indus, a mage of Dalaran and member of the Council of Tirisfal.

She was followed much later by another gnome named Erbag, also a member of the Council of Tirisfal, during the early days of Aegwynn. He was already inducted eight hundred and forty-four years prior to the Battle of Mount Hyjal. Erbag was described as being highly talkative as well as rather impatient with Aegwynn.

King Mechagon was the last king of the gnomes, who 400 years ago led his followers in search of a mystical land of technology. He left no clues where he was headed and over time his tale became a legend. Gnomes have not had kings or queens since; although Gelbin Mekkatorque has the title "King of Gnomes", he was elected and his position is officially called High Tinker. Having a personally-chosen title is simply a perk of the job.

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.

The First, Second and Third War
When the orcs from Draenor rushed out from the Dark Portal and caused the First War, the various human kingdoms decided to forge an alliance in order to drive them back. This alliance also included the dwarves and the gnomes who after witnessing the orcs' attack upon Ironforge decided to strike back. The gnomes did not have their own representative in the meetings between the different factions and were instead also represented by the delegate from Ironforge.

Early in the Second War, the Orcish Horde started pushing north into Khaz Modan. The dwarves and gnomes failed to stop the advance of the orcish army. The Horde pushed longer into Dun Morogh and besieged both Ironforge and the city of Gnomeregan, but were held off at both places by the ingenuity of the gnomish inventors, whose booby traps and rigged explosives claimed many orcish lives while Gnomeregan itself was shielded by an impenetrable iron gate. Eventually after weeks of fruitless siege, Horde warchief Orgrim Doomhammer called off the attacks and ordered the main army to move on to do battle with the humans in Lordaeron, while Kilrogg Deadeye and the Bleeding Hollow clan would stay behind to ensure that no gnome would leave Gnomeregan and keep the dwarves occupied at Ironforge, hoping that Kilrogg would eventually conquer the two cities while the warchief handled the armies of Lordaeron. The defenders of Gnomeregan and Ironforge held off the orcs long enough for Supreme Commander Anduin Lothar to attack the Bleeding Hollow clan from behind, liberating both the dwarves and gnomes who announced their full support for the Alliance of Lordaeron's cause. While the gnomes were not seen on the front lines as foot soldiers, they still provided invaluable support in machinery, weaponry, and vehicles. Gnomish flying machine scouts swept the air, and their submarine vessels provided much needed naval support, helping the Alliance achieve victory in the end. In many ways, they were the counterpart to the goblins which supported the orcs with their own inventions. This technological battle between gnomes and goblins has survived to this day and has recently been fueled by the Bilgewater Cartel joining the Horde.

Strangely, the gnomes refused to send any personnel to aid their allies during the Burning Legion's invasion during the Third War. Though their designs also helped turning the tide against the Legion, both the humans and the Ironforge - and Wildhammer - dwarves were shocked by Gnomeregan's decision to withhold their courageous troops and pilots.

Despite this, the gnomes from the Alliance military went with Jaina Proudmoore's force to Kalimdor.

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 eighty percent of the gnomish race was wiped out during its fall. The ragged survivors fled to the safety of Ironforge. There, they made a new home in Tinker Town.

Mysteries of Azeroth
After the fall of Gnomeregan at the hands of the Troggs and Leper Gnomes, the gnomes have established an outpost near the Gnomeregan entrance, aided by the Alliance and with no intention of leaving their beloved city in the hands of the traitor Sicco Thermoplug, the gnomes plan Now more than ever, recover the city at any cost.