Gnomish Federation

The  is the central administrative entity of the Gnomes, founded shortly after the fall of Gnomeregan as a formal replacement to the ruling council. Commissioned by High Tinker Geblin Mekkatorque, it acts as the governing body of Gnomish society.

Its bureaucratic structure is comprised of the governorship, the administrative level and four departments. Each department is responsible for the oversight of its respective aspect of Gnomish society: State, Defense, Intel and Engineering.

History
As the Third War raged on, the Dwarves of Ironforge regrettably awoke the Troggs whilst digging near Uldaman. Attracted to the impressive technology of the Gnomes, the Troggs constructed tunnels and successfully breached the lowest levels of Gnomeregan. With no formal Gnomish King, High Tinker Mekkatorque acted as leader of the Gnomes during the Trogg invasion, aided by his most trust advisor Sicco Thermaplugg.

Determined not to be a distraction, Mekkatorque withheld knowledge of the Trogg invasion even as he withdrew Gnomish troops from the Alliance military. For years the Gnomes fought the Trogg invaders, but were repeatedly outnumbered.

Driven by envy, Sicco Thermaplugg devised a diabolical scheme to frame Mekkatorque and assume the role of High Tinker. With the majority of the Gnomish population safely sealed away in the upper urban tunnels, Thermaplugg sought to eradicate a large portion of them with a false plan of attacking the Troggs with toxic radiation. Having lied to Mekkatorque of the gas' safety to Gnomes and effectiveness against Troggs, Thermaplugg convinced the High Tinker to release the gas throughout Gnomeregan. Its effect was catastrophic, killing as much as 80% of all Gnomish citizens. It had little to no effect against the Troggs, and even served as an enraging catalyst for some.

After a demoralizing defeat, the Gnomes evacuated their capital city and were granted asylum within Ironforge where they established Tinker Town. As they amassed in their new home, the newly exiled Gnomes were outraged over the systemic failures leading to the invasion

High Tinker Mekkatorque, distraught with guilt and shame for his failures in Gnomeregan, was determined to do right by his people. The ruling council of Gnomes and the High Tinker commissioned the Gnomish Federation as the centralized authority of all Gnomes. Through it, the Gnomes seek to retake the capital city, embolden their commitment to the Alliance, and to establish themselves as a ruling faction within Azeroth.

Structure
There are three levels of authority within the Federation; the High Tinker, the Governor, and the Administrative level. Together, they form the Executive Council, responsible for the oversight of critical Federation business.

Governor
Appointed by the High Tinker, the Governor is the central administrator of the Federation. Responsible for the cohesive efforts of each department, they are the figurehead of Gnomish diplomatic efforts and domestic institutions alike. While new Administrators are chosen through a collaboration of the governor and the rest of the executive level, the governor has final say in new appointments.

The current governor of the Gnomish Federation is Oddzag Wirefizz. Due to his history of involvement in Gnomish reconnaissance, Wirefizz became a confidential advisor to Mekkatorque during the invasion. Having obtained confidential information of a potential Gnomish counter-offensive in the form of weaponized toxic gas, unaware that it was a malicious coup attempt by Thermalplugg, Wirefizz admonished such a plan and strongly advised Mekkatorque against it. This information was brought to light when the ruling council conducted an investigation into the failed invasion response. Additionally, given his unwavering efforts during the invasion, he was a prime candidate and the eventual nomination to the governorship of the Federation.

Executive Council
Consisting of the High Tinker, the Governor and the administrative level, the Executive Council is an elite-level group within the Federation that presides over all top-level Gnomish affairs. While the Governor is the council chairman, the High Tinker retains overriding authority on all matters. Additionally, though the four departments can't override the chairman, if done unanimously, they can appeal to the High Tinker regarding a chairman's decision for a reassessment.

Membership of the Executive Council is not contingent on being at the Administrative level. Additions to the council are decided unanimously, and a no-vote cannot be overridden, even by the High Tinker. Appointments can only be made by senior leadership, and council members are not granted any additional power. Council membership is highly coveted, and all appointees are typically prestigious, highly-regarded Gnomes, legends within Gnomeregan.

Department Administrator
Of the four Departments that make up the Federation, each has an appointed Administrator that oversees the functions for which they're responsible. Each Administrator is appointed by the Executive Council, and the process for doing so is highly confidential. Department Administrators are elite Gnomes, masters of their craft and highly regarded in Gnomish society. When the Federation was founded after the fall of Gnomeregan, it was apparent from the outset who the lead contenders were for each department.

As members of the Executive Council, they're senior leadership, privy to all high-level Federation business. In any given situation, in the absence of the High Tinker or the Federation Governor, an administrator is the highest ranking commander, regardless of the department or rank of any other Federation member. If more than one administrator is on-site, it is considered a joint operation and they're all equal in authority.

While any Administrator has commanding authority over any member of any department, there are operations within each that require department-specific code-word clearance that an Administrator may not possess. This level of confidentiality is maintained by each department Administrator.

Executive
At the administrative level, Executives serve as officers tasked with the oversight of specific and/or niche divisions within the Federation. Executives are appointed by either the Governor or an Administrator and their authority extends beyond any specific department. Those elevated to the role of Executive are esteemed, devoted Gnomes, loyal servants of the Federation who are trusted with advanced tasks and roles. Though members of the Executive Council, they are not afforded an official vote in council business, nor do they have any overriding authority of influence. However they are granted the chance to weigh in on certain matters, on the condition that their specialty is relevant to the situation.

Founder
A largely sentimental role, Founders are the original signers of the Federation's charter. Though many have moved on, several remain and are seen as important role models, exemplary Gnomes and non-Gnomes who uphold not just the core values of the Federation, but the Alliance at large. Founders possess no official authority, but their opinions are well regarded and often taken into consideration by those at the Administrative level.

Departments
When the Federation was founded, it was decided that core aspects of Gnomish society should be divided into specific departments to ensure that in times of crisis, the responsibility of critical functions would never be in doubt.

Defense
For centuries, the Gnomes lived in unquestionable safety for many reasons; the subterranean nature of Gnomeregan, the proximity to the Dwarves of Ironforge, and the surrounding mountains of Dun Morogh. Security threats were typically small in nature and easily dispatched by the military forces of Ironforge.

A largely uncoordinated militia was about the extent of Gnomeregan's defense force before the invasion. With the establishment of the Federation, the Defense department is tasked with both domestic security and Gnomish military efforts within the Alliance.

Intel
Perhaps the most coveted, advanced branch of the Federation, the Gnomish Intelligence corps is known throughout all Azeroth for its covert reconnaissance and intelligence gathering operations. The department has advanced relations with Alliance leadership as one of its primary objectives is to aid in the fight against the Horde.

Engineering
The Department of Engineering is officially responsible for all interior matters including, but not limited to: transport, agriculture, utilities, and many more. It is the largest, most segmented department with very little oversight by the Executive level. Most leadership within the Dept of Engineering is elected by Gnomish citizens, and the governor has limited authority over much of the department, except in times in war or declared states of emergency.

State
Tasked with oversight of all foreign affairs and diplomatic efforts, the Department of State is the most public, forward-facing department within the Federation.

Though still reeling over the tragedies of Gnomeregan, one of the first orders of the High Tinker after establishing the Federation was to reinforce the Alliance in the fight against the Horde.

Work in progress..