Anyhow, I was rummaging through some of my documents today and found this little old thing I started like...a year ago. It's about a gnome mage I had at the time, though she has long since returned to the nether, lol. I still regret deleting her. Oof.
But without further ado, here is the first chapter of my gnome's story:
“Smarter Than Your Average Gnome”
Chapter 1
The Infection was spreading rapidly. Gnomes were emerging from dark corners, their skin a hideous green, cackling madly and shouting about troggs. Jeb and Telly Tinkerton ran as fast as their gnome legs could carry them, up the numerous hallways and staircases. Many of their fellow gnomes ran the opposite direction, hoping that one of the vast tunnels would lead them to safety. But, the Tinkerton’s were smarter than your average gnome. They knew that the surface, with its cool, fresh air, would in fact bring them out of this infected nightmare.
But they would not be running alone. Infected gnomes were practically on their heels as they fled. Jeb withdrew the only thing he had brought with him, a rusty short sword that his father had passed down to him, and thrust it into the belly of a pursuer. These infected gnomes were no longer their brethren, so while it pained him to do this, Jeb knew it had to be done. Telly was no pushover, though, and was swinging her iron axe wildly at the flailing attackers. The Tinkerton’s were respected fighters in their city of Gnomeregan before the coming of the Infection, and were considered great warriors.
Finally, they had some space between they and the Infected behind them. Hand in hand, then ran towards the great elevator. Once at the top, there were more Infected. But, with the combination of the harsh winter elements and the Infection itself, these were much weaker and were no match for the fighting prowess of the Tinkerton’s.
They had escaped! The green gasses of the Infection spewed from the ground behind them. Panting, they continued running over the gleaming white snow of Dun Morogh. Though they were native to this land, the Tinkerton’s had rarely stepped foot out of their fallen beloved city of Gnomeregan. It didn’t take long for them to realize that they were lost. With their pale white skin and snow-white hair, they almost blended in with the winter scenery around them. Ice claw bears and snow leopards paid them no mind since they were well-camouflaged. Or, perhaps it was just that these two tiny morsels were not worth the effort.
After what seemed like an eternity of trekking through the harsh wilderness, the Tinkerton’s stopped. They heard voices close by…dwarven voices. Their will renewed, they made haste over a snowy hill to find a small encampment of dwarves.
“Do you think they’ll welcome us?” Telly squeaked. Her small gnome voice carried a hint of worry.
“We’re Tinkerton’s,” Jeb replied, “and can handle anything that comes at us!”
Telly knew that Jeb was right, so they stepped confidently into the camp. The dwarves made no move against them. In fact, in their drunken state, they didn’t even notice them. One female dwarf was standing over a cooking fire, holding the most succulent boar meat the Tinkerton’s had ever seen. Jeb walked over and tugged on the edge of her shirt.
“Excuse me,” he chirped, “could we bother you for some food and drink? We’ve just escaped Gnomeregan and haven’t had a bite to eat in days!”
“Oh!” She turned around to face this tiny gnome. “Well hello there! Sure ye can have some. I’ve got plenty!” She handed him some steaming meat, which he shared with Telly.
Murga was her name, and she told them all about the adventures of the dwarven hunters. They called this place Brewnall Village, though it was more of a camp than a village. There was much ale to be had and boars to be eaten, and the Tinkerton’s made themselves right at home. The dwarves wanted to know all about Gnomeregan and the Infection, and the Tinkerton’s had plenty to tell.
The nights in Brewnall Village were cold, however, and with only a small sleeping sack, the Tinkerton’s were very cold. They were not used to this harsh environment that the dwarves seemed to love. But, the Tinkerton’s were smarter than your average gnome, and knew just how to stay warm……
In about a week’s time, Murga invited the Tinkerton’s to live with her and her husband Dern in the dwarven town of Kharanos. The Tinkerton’s humbly accepted her generous offer. They packed up the ram and made for the town.
Once there, Murga insisted they take the basement of their home. It was dark and slightly damp, and reminded the Tinkerton’s of their lost city. They accepted, and settled in right away. Murga provided all the furnishings she could, but the Tinkerton’s were small of stature so they didn’t require much.
Dern was rarely seen, and his wife explained that he was a great hunter and would spend weeks at a time in the harsh environment of Dun Morogh, searching for the biggest and best game. It didn’t take long for Murga to become exceedingly fond of her new gnome live-ins, as she was very lonely. They stayed up until all hours of the night, drinking ale and eating, and telling tales of their lives.
A month passed, and Telly woke up one morning, not feeling so well.
“Jeb,” she moaned, “I think I’m sick”. Immediately fearing the worst, Jeb rushed to her side.
“Is it the Infection? Do you feel…evil?” Telly gave him a curious look and rolled her eyes. Jeb was smart, but he said some silly things sometimes.
“Get Murga, please. Maybe she’ll know what’s going on.” Jeb nodded and clamored up the stairs to Murga’s living quarters. Murga quickly made it to Telly’s bedside. Telly explained how she was feeling, and was surprised at Murga’s reaction.
With a wide grin across her face, Murga simply replied, “Silly gnome, ye be pregnant!” Jeb fainted and Telly burst into tears. “Aw, it’s nothing to be sad about!” she said.
“No, I’m happy!” Telly said through bursts of sobbing. “With the Infection, I never thought I’d be able to have a baby!” Once Jeb recovered, he hugged Telly and Murga, and then fainted again.
Four months passed, and Dern returned home. During his time away, he had fought an immense white bear known only as Mangeclaw, and brought its snow-white pelt as proof of the kill. Murga told him all about the Tinkerton’s and their escape, and he rushed down the stairs with the pelt to meet them. He offered the pelt as a gift to the expectant mother, and she would have happily taken it but, the time had come. Telly’s stomach was very large and she was beginning to have pains. Murga dashed from her house to the nearest inn and returned shortly thereafter with a priest. He placed a hand on Telly’s head and cast a renewing spell over her, easing her pain. With a light struggle, the baby was born. The priest examined it and happily exclaimed, “Ye got a little lass!”
Jeb fainted and Murga jumped up and down in excitement. “What’s her name?” everyone asked at once.
Telly examined her new daughter. She gazed upon her porcelain-white skin and her frost-colored hair, and softly replied, “Embrynn”.
Dern asked to hold her, and was immediately fond of Embrynn. He wrapped a white wolf pelt around her small body and gave her to Jeb upon his recovery. It was a wonderful time in the home, and little Embrynn seemed to know this as she gurgled her happiness.
Chapter 2 to come, if you all would like to hear more? *sheepish grin*
