World of Warcraft®

Hello fellow CC/SoE Roleplayers!

It is I, you're lovable old gnome Caileanmor (<as evidenced by my avatar and name :D ) and I am here to ask for some aid!

A thought was sparked when a comment was made by a good friend and fellow RPer, Ketyru, which subsequently blossomed into an idea!

Racial Primers!

How-To threads explaining the current -general- state of said race within the RP community.
Something that exists to help not only new RPer's but also the more seasoned of us navigate the general particulars of a race of interest.
Something that is current with the state/patch/expansion of the game. Which would include a summation of past lore (how they got here) but also a generally agreed upon prospectus of current lore (what's going on now).

This is a tall order! Pun intended. But one which I am willing to undertake, and I am certain I can rise to the challenge!... after I find a step stool. I can (and will) most certainly do all the research I possibly can to layout the background and histories pertinent to Lore. This part will be all inclusive, even touching on matters that may not be considered "cannon" but are worth taking a look at (or mentioning) none the less.

The help I am searching for is from you lore hounds out there, and from those of you who have done current content (raids, dungeons, quests, etc) and are up on all the things that have occurred thus far in the expansion/patch.

As too the purpose of this thread, I would like to gather as much data as possible on the state of Gnome and Dwarf society. Speculations, opinions, theories, insight on how the current content (and even past content) has affect these two racial societies. Everything and anything from you the players and role-players. I would like to gather that knowledge here where it may be debated and agreed upon, so that later I may organize it into a more orderly, chronological, concise format so that we (and other interested parties) may all benefit from it.

Again, this is a huge endeavor. A gigantic undertaking. But with everyone's help and patience perhaps we can all benefit from the knowledge and wisdom such a Primer would contain!

I hope I get a flood of questions about this, because it'll show interest. Right now I'm really excited about this and already laying down mental notes on where to begin and how to set up a .doc on my desktop to begin writing.

Right off the bat I can think of one question: Why Gnome and Dwarf?

Answer: Start with what you know. Of all the races of Azeroth (humans aside) I feel I know Gnomes the best, followed closely by Dwarves. I feel if I (with your help) can create something useful, concise, and even entertain while also informative and helpful treating Gnomes and Dwarves, then I could branch of to another race later.

So for now I'll just be tackling first Gnomes and then Dwarves. Given their close association in lore, I feel it only proper that I treat them both at the same time.

Further explanation:

So this Primer is meant to be an RP resource guide. Something that a fellow RPer can pick up and read, and having no idea about Gnomes and Dwarves to begin with can come out of this feeling confident that they understand their chosen race. Perhaps not an "all encompassing" or "in depth" study, but certain give a solid idea of where the people of their character come from and the general status of their society -currently-.

Naturally there is no way for us to know definitive current lore until its been canonized by Blizzard. However, we as a Role-Play community can come together and agree upon a generally accepted "status" until such time as Blizzard announces otherwise.

Hell, more often than not, we recognize our own personal canon over Blizzard's from time to time. Or we incorporate ours into theirs - our wars during their wars, things like that.

Well the Gnome primer is easy. Just gank all gnomes on sight. I'll get back to you with my thoughts on the dwarf primer when I have more time to post.

I came upon a thread yesterday and I really like this post.

10/28/2013 05:35 PMPosted by Forbidra

1. Gnomes have the only elected leader of all the playable races. Gnomes have a functional democracy, but we dont know many details about it apart from the High Tinker being an elected post.

2. The High Tinker is customarily allowed to choose whatever title he likes, and Gelbin Mekkatorque has chosen: "King of the Gnomes" as his. Precisely why he did this is not fully explained since the Gnomes have had no functional monarchy per se for hundreds of years. However some speculate that he may have chosen that title in an effort to put himself on an equal footing diplomatically with the other racial leaders of the Alliance.

3. The Fall of Gnomeregan was cause by a deliberate act of sabotage orchestrated by the High Tinker's chief advisor Sicco Thermaplugg. Many people erroneously lay the blame for the tragedy in which 80% of the population lost their lives at the feet of the High Tinker, but that is incorrect. Thermaplugg deliberately and with malice aforethought hatched a scheme to flood the city with radiation designed to kill large numbers of Gnomes. Thermaplugg planned to fix the blame for those deaths on the High Tinker, and thereby secure the top job for himself. It should be noted that until that time, Gnomes had NO history of internecine violence. The very concept of a Gnome plotting the mass murder of other Gnomes in a bid for personal power was unthinkable, and so no one suspected Thermaplugg's treachery until it was too late.

4. The Gnomes have been staunch allies of the Bronzebeard Dwarves for a long time, but are *not* subjects of Ironforge nor do they owe allegiance to the Council of Three Hammers. In fact since the Cataclysm, and the political upheaval in Ironforge, the Gnomeregan refugees have actually found themselves unwelcomed guests in the city. This helped precipitate the events of Operation: Gnomeregan, and the founding of New Tinkertown, as Gnomes have begun to reevaluate their role in Khaz Modan.

5. Gnomish "Priests" notwithstanding, Gnomes are not a spiritual or religiously oriented people. They approach magic (including The Light) like any other branch of science. It is something for them to explore and understand, and to master. Gnomes believe in what they can see, and prove under experimental conditions. Gnomes believe in themselves and their fellow Gnomes, and in their technology. Gnomes do not believe in mysteries. Gnomes have absolute faith in their ability to learn and understand...*everything*. And it is that insatiable curiosity, and optimism, and courage that make Gnomes hands down the most interesting and fun race to play in my opinion!

- Forbs
"For Gnomeregan!"

http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/10358026207?page=2

She summarized some basics fairly well, I think. It's an old thread (2013)

Further reading on the thread linked above, she touches on an issue I had early on with Cail here...and do a degree still do (though I'm working through it in my own way). Gnomes and the Light. I rather liked what she had to say about it.

10/30/2013 01:46 PMPosted by Forbidra

@Acumen: The answer to your question about lore compliant Gnome Priests is pretty much the same for any such RP related question...there is NO one answer, and the possible solutions to this particular equation are limited only by your imagination.

Examples:

1. A Gnome who was trapped in the city so long, and wanted so desperately to help the other Gnomes trapped there with her, that she learned to channel The Light without really understanding what she was doing. No religion, but still able to channel The Light, entirely consistent with the "Will Power" aspect of the lore.

2. A Gnomish scholar or magical technician who seeks to seeks to separate the "superfluous religious trappings" the Tall Folk use when invoking the power of The Light from its core magical properties, in an effort to increase its power and efficiency. Gnomes are all about efficiency.

3. A Gnomish field medic who is studying the Tall Folk's methods of using The Light to heal and protect as part of her advanced medical education. (I'm actually using this one myself, and it dovetails nicely with leveling, facilitates RP, and you can always RP some of your abilities as advanced Gnomish healing technology rather than The Light giving you a hybrid healer who is part doctor and part miracle worker).

I'm sure you can come up with some angles of your own.

Forbs also offered some advice afterward, which I found interesting and helpful.

10/30/2013 01:46 PMPosted by Forbidra

I have one last bit of advice for new Gnome Roleplayers...

While stereotypes make good starting places for novice RP'ers, the "brilliant but comic inventor who has a gadget in his pocket for every situation" is seriously overplayed, and I urge you put a little more thought into your new Gnome.

Remember that Gnomes are Gnomes, so dont play yours like a "short Human". Gnomes have a unique perspective on just about everything. Use that! Its part of what makes RP'ing a Gnome so damn fun!

Remember that the Tall Folk solve their problems with brute force and ignorance. Gnomes consider the use of violence to solve problems the hallmark of a primitive culture. Gnomes solve their problems with brains and technology. In fact the more technical the solution, the better Gnomes like it!

One last thing...never forget that Gnomeregan is holy ground to the Gnomes. Eight of every ten Gnomes you knew perished there, and the madgnome who killed them, and his Trogg minions are still lurking down there somewhere, plotting further atrocities against your people.

- Forbs
"For Gnomeregan!"

Thoughts on these last few posts?

One thing I am rather dubious on is if "the mad gnome" Mekkatorque is still alive down in Gnomeregan. At what point can we call the events in the Gnomeregan Instance 'canon' and accept that currently (for RP reasons) Mekkatorque is dead and gone? ...though the city is still irradiated and overrun with troggs and crazed leper gnomes.

Perhaps the single best resource (imho) a roleplayer who is completely fresh and new to Gnomes can use is found on the this very Blizz site. It's well written, concise, and I rather like its opening.

The clever, spunky, and oftentimes eccentric gnomes present a unique paradox among the civilized races of Azeroth. Brilliant inventors with an irrepressibly cheerful disposition, this race has suffered treachery, displacement, and near-genocide. It is their remarkable optimism in the face of such calamity that symbolizes the truly unshakable spirit of the gnomes.

Found at:
World of Warcraft > Game Guide > Races > Gnome
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/game/race/gnome

Of course Wowhead and Wowpedia are useful as well.

Well... I thought I was going to comment more on dwarves but I find myself struggling to bring anything truly meaningful forward. Most people who are not completely new to the game know about their Titan origins, the three clans, and the current political situation. It is also pretty common knowledge that they have a long history in the Alliance and were heavily involved in the previous wars. Finally archeology has become such an crucial field for dwarves over the course of WoW I would not be surprised if it rivals their military budget. All of this information can be easily dug up from sites like wowwiki however.

Honestly I think one of the more important points to be made about WoW Dwarves is, to be perfectly blunt, they are very cliche. They were heavily copied from Warhammer dwarves which were heavily copied from Dungeons and Dragon Dwarves which were heavily copied from Tolkien dwarves. Even the Scottish accents and penchant for technology are taken directly from Warhammer. Thus much of the fundamental lore from those sources could be applied to making a dwarf in WoW because much of it is displayed in WoW (such as the rowdy drunken dwarf).

Now I am not trying to ruffle any feathers with what I have said. Most dwarf fans like the Tolkien/DnD/Warhammer style of dwarf and wouldn't want it any different. I just feel that dwarves in WoW are one of the easiest races for a new RPer to pick up and "get right" because the archetype is so pervasive.

First, I highly recommend every gnomish role player read Tides of War and get to know Kinndy Sparkshine. I fell in love with her pages into the novel. She's a great example of a bright, spunky, intelligent gnome who isn't an airhead or a walking joke. There's also useful lore information about general ages for gnomes the doesn't come from the only-sorta-cannon-with-an-asterisk RPG books; Kinndy is 22 but is still considered an adolescent.

Second, the rest of this is more speculation, questions, and personal theory than actual facts, since you've already collected a fair amount of what's canon lore. I apologize in advance for the rambling that is about to commence.

Gnomes don't have a lot of lore or focus put on them, which I think it a shame because there's so much potential for story lines waiting to be tapped.

Something I've often considered is what the relationship between the gnomes and the dwarves must be after the fall of Gnomeregan. The dwarves were kind enough to let the gnomes take refuge in Ironforge... but what sort of tension would that have caused?

Even if the two races got along very well, suddenly having a very large influx of gnomes must have caused some problems. They'd be taking up a lot more space, using resources, and Light help the dwarves who had to put up with adapting to having gnomish devices popping up everywhere. Having new roommates takes adjustments. Gnomes of course would be contributing back to Ironforge, but I wish there was more information about the culture shock that had to have occurred.

There were surly dwarves who didn't like the gnomes encroaching into their space and gnomes who didn't like having to abide by dwarven rules. Are gnomes happy to stay in their own quarter? Is it viewed as only temporary? What sort of say do the gnomes have in what goes on in the city if they're considered permanent residents? And how has everything changed now that Moira's in charge and the Dark Iron Dwarves are in Ironforge? (Now I want to reread The Shattering...)

For Derscha's personal cannon, she didn't like living in Ironforge or being in any way a "charity" case. She left as soon as possible, and visiting the city always reminds her of everything she's lost.

(I also have this idea in the back of my mind of one day playing a gnome who decided she liked dwarven society better and became a born-again dwarf...with gnomish improvements, of course.)

The lack of any mention in game to difficulty between the two races probably means that any problems were minor in nature. I personally think that the overall gnomish optimism and adaptability, plus their status as "guests" and the minority party, means they've made more changes to accommodate the dwarves than the other way around to avoid conflict.

If I were to write a story, it'd be about how Moira's return has tipped the fragile balance between gnomes and dwarves. The Dark Irons don't have the years of friendship with gnomes to treat them with the same respect the Bronzebeards did; it would tip some gnomes past the breaking point of how much they'd be willing to put up with. Gnomes have gotten extra incentive to retake Gnomeregan and move out of Ironforge... or for those intend to stay, extra incentive to call for gnomish representation and consideration. There's no gnome sitting on the dais with the Council, after all.

And now, some things to think about when dealing with other races:

The similarities between gnomes and high elves/blood elves; both have lost a substantial portion of their populations around the same time frame.

Gnomes and Gilneans: both displaced and living in another race's capital. (Derscha, for her part, reacted very negatively to the idea of people raiding the ruins of Gilneas, likening it to someone going into Gnomeregan and stealing mementos from her family home.)

01/30/2015 05:17 PMPosted by Mormel

Honestly I think one of the more important points to be made about WoW Dwarves is, to be perfectly blunt, they are very cliche. They were heavily copied from Warhammer dwarves which were heavily copied from Dungeons and Dragon Dwarves which were heavily copied from Tolkien dwarves. Even the Scottish accents and penchant for technology are taken directly from Warhammer. Thus much of the fundamental lore from those sources could be applied to making a dwarf in WoW because much of it is displayed in WoW (such as the rowdy drunken dwarf).

The Ironforge Dwarf in me severely disagrees with being described as a knockoff of Warhammer since (... well I'll forgo the chicken-or-egg argument...;) ), however I take no issue with being called a son of D&D and its an honor to be considered in any way a relation with Tolkein's lot. So I'll let that slight pass. ..fer noo. *wink*

After all, if et ain't broke dunae fix et! :D

But yes, I understand what you're getting at and generally I do agree.
A dwarf is a dwarf is a dwarf...

01/30/2015 09:18 PMPosted by Derscha

I apologize in advance for the rambling that is about to commence.

No, no. Please :) By all means ramble on! That's what this thread is for after all. *sagenod*

01/30/2015 09:18 PMPosted by Derscha

I highly recommend every gnomish role player read Tides of War and get to know Kinndy Sparkshine. I fell in love with her pages into the novel. She's a great example of a bright, spunky, intelligent gnome who isn't an airhead or a walking joke. There's also useful lore information about general ages for gnomes the doesn't come from the only-sorta-cannon-with-an-asterisk RPG books; Kinndy is 22 but is still considered an adolescent.

I need to get my hands on that book now. :)

01/30/2015 09:56 PMPosted by Caileanmor

The Ironforge Dwarf in me severely disagrees with being described as a knockoff of Warhammer since (... well I'll forgo the chicken-or-egg argument...;) ),

Well I only highlight Warhammer because, aside from the accents and technology, the first Warcraft rts game was originally supposed to be a Warhammer game until Blizzard lost the license at the last minute. While the second rts game onward did much to differentiate the two settings there are still some stark similarities, if only at a skin deep level.

Besides one of my two characters is a dwarf so I'm not saying any of this like it is a bad thing per se ;3

Even if the two races got along very well, suddenly having a very large influx of gnomes must have caused some problems. They'd be taking up a lot more space, using resources, and Light help the dwarves who had to put up with adapting to having gnomish devices popping up everywhere. Having new roommates takes adjustments. Gnomes of course would be contributing back to Ironforge, but I wish there was more information about the culture shock that had to have occurred.

There is a major issue with these two races right now. The Alliance has seen an alarming amount of its recent lore dedicated near exclusively to humans and human characters, especially if we ignore any lore from the books and take everything at face value in game. There have been a lot of missed opportunities for illustrating the friction, division, and general lifestyles of the different Alliance races and how they coexist with one another.

Being a cynical person myself I think it is a great tragedy when a new player looks at a situation like gnomes living in Iron Forge and just assumes the two races are bestest friendies forevars because any turmoil that might have been caused was glossed over or outright ignored. "People" simply don't work like that and I'm sure at least there were organized protests by Dwarven engineer guilds about how the gnomes were "daken der jerbs!". The arrival of Moira and all the social turmoil that came with the Council of Three Hammers further destabilized gnome-dwarf relations and provides one of the few instances where difficulties between them is even mentioned (one case being during post-Cata gnome intro).

In fact even before Moira I doubt the Iron Forge government liked the idea of gnome warlocks lurking about their city...fondling creepy skulls with their creepy gnome hands and summoning creepy dark things to obey their creepy gnome whims as they look upon the citizens of Iron Forge with their creepy, lifeless doll eyes. Just... creepy. <.<;

Yeah...those Warlocks sure are -creepy- *eyes Mormel*

Y-yeah! S-stupid creepy w-warlocks... makes me g-glad I'm a Fire Mage.

<_<

>.>

*crosses arms* "Oh yes indeed."

But anyway, I think this is a great idea. There's a lot of races who feel very ignored in the lore, and it's so productive to try and gather as much as we can on them. That being said, I have nothing to offer!

*cackles madly*