R
Returning to Kharanos with a keg of fresh brew, I decided to have a look around to see if any of the townspeople had anything for me to do. I was drawn to a peculiar building. It had large, moving cogs on top. Getting closer I heard the soft hum of running machinery. A few gnomes inside greeted me and let me in.
They explained that they were trying to cure leper gnome in the cage. I hadn’t noticed, but right behind me in a cage was a fellow who looked just like me, but he was terribly sick. His skin was green and wreaked an awful stench. We caught eyes for a second, and the horrid shell of a gnome lashed out and tried to attack me.
I quickly stepped back, and asked my friends how the Gnome got this way. They explained to me that he used to be fine, just like us with a fascination for technology and a desire to fight for the benefit of the land. All us Gnomes once lived in a thriving city called Gnomeregan. For many years the city served as a capital for the Gnomish race. Little did we know, all that would come to a horrifying end. A group of troggs invaded Gnomeregan.
In a desperate attempt for survival, the ruler, Mekgineer Thermaplugg detonated a radiation bomg to try and drive out the invaders. Tragically, this last effort backfired, strengthening the Troggs and mutating most of the Gnomes in the city. A few of them were rescued, and are now in the care of the Dwarves.
As they spoke about this turn of events, I remembered bits and pieces of who I used to be. I remembered large, advanced machines and large ceremonies. I felt a tremendous pride for my people, for our city. This was not just any city. It was my own, and I had to get it back.
The Gnomes asked me to enter what was left of Gnomeregan to collect some parts. These parts would be used to try and cure the Leper Gnomes. Without hesitation I set out. I followed a long path, anticipating the worst. Soon I found it. With green smoke billowing from the windows and parts scattered everywhere, I had returned to what was left of my city.
At first I felt bad for the Lepers. The never asked for any of this, but then they attacked with a vicious, animal like intensity. My instincts took hold and I began fighting.
The sky grew darker as I returned to that tiny house just outside of Kharanos. I gave them the parts I collected, and they went to work.
Despite a valiant effort, the experiment ultimately failed. The Leper Gnome transformed into a chicken and ran out the front door. It was a comedic end to an otherwise tragic set of events.
I did not let this deter me. I knew what my ultimate mission was. Someday, I will return.
