World of Warcraft®

Greetings!

I got to scratch my RP itch a tiny amount tonight, and it got my inner RP nerd going. So I sat down and started writing this character's backstory, which I'd never really thought of until tonight. It's been years since I thought of a character like this, and set out to write a large backstory.

I hope you enjoy, and comments for any that make it through are appreciated! If it seems like something people enjoy reading then I'll post more.

Nibbleyabum was a young gnome, with a promising future ahead of her in Engineering, as while many Gnomes loved tinkering, she truly had a gift for it. She had just received a coveted apprenticeship when the chaos in the city erupted.

As word of the horrible invasion began and the city leapt to meet it head on, Nibble began doing everything she could to contribute. She was no fighter, but she could fix anything, and she might even have an idea or three to help.

She was attached to a reconnaissance unit, protected by a mechanized infantry detachment. These machines were fearsome weapons of war. A true testament to the marvelous, and sometimes dangerous, Gnomish Engineering abilities. These incredible machines protected their pilots from all but the most devastating of biological or chemical agents, were equipped with twin auto cannons capable of firing thousands of rounds per minute with a nearly 30,000 round capacity and 3 second reload (each), forward and rear mounted flamethrowers, and could reach speeds that would rival most Mechanostriders.

Nibble was appointed “Assistant Civilian Detachment Engineer Third Class Fourth Mechanized Infantry Division”. It was HER responsibility to ensure this unit remained in the fight. She spent months without complaint, doing everything she could to keep those machines working, and even managed a few design improvements, one of which increased flamethrower efficiency by 25% resulting in fuel savings, reduction in metal strain, as well as decrease in cooldown time required.

When Thermaplugg’s treachery was revealed, and Gnomeregan was irradiated, Nibble’s unit was one of the hardest hit. Of the 45 brave souls assigned to Nibble’s unit, only 3 survived that brutal day.

They were locked in combat near the workshop entrance, trying valiantly to hold it against the Troggs, when they were flanked by a thunderous charge of Dark Iron dwarves! Nibble couldn’t believe her eyes. The battle went terribly, with 4 machines disabled in the Dark Irons’ opening volley. Nibble’s machine was a wrecked pile of scrap metal, and she pulled herself out of the smoldering steel, and grabbed a nearby wrench as a weapon, turning determinedly to face her Dark Iron assaulters. One of them laughed and said “What are ye plannin’ to do with that lass? Think ye’re a fighter do ye?” Nibble responded by growling and throwing herself at the dwarves. Her awkward attacks amused the Dark Irons, one of them going so far as to yell out “Watch out! She’ll Nibble yer bum!” Nibble’s allies quickly rescued her and the Dark Irons closest were dispatched as the Gnomes regrouped, only to see more entering the hall. As the Gnomes prepared to try to punch through, an explosion ripped through the great hall. Even the mighty Gnomish war machines were thrown to the floor. It was several minutes before anyone moved. Even the Troggs and Dark Irons were stunned and out of sorts.

Luckily, the Gnomes recovered first. As the radiation began to seep into the room, word came in about what had happened, and that all units were ordered to fall back immediately to pre-determined rendezvous coordinates. No one could believe their ears, surely there was some mistake.

They fought a running battle all the way back to the safe zone, even having to fight some of their own on the way as there were already some going mad. The scene at the safe zone was almost as bad. Gnomes lined the wall, many would soon draw their last breath, and discipline, order, and reason were quickly giving way to anger, panic, and despair. Mekkatorque rallied everyone for one final, desperate push to escape the city. Nibble, along with the 2 remaining Gnomes from her unit, were all assigned to the same machine, with Nibble assigned as its Chief Mechanization Engineer, the other 2 as pilot and gunner.

Much of what happened following that is unclear, as the final escape from the city was almost complete chaos. Very few Gnomes made it out that dark day, and Nibble’s unit was nearly entirely lost. Just as they were almost free of the city, their machine’s power core went critical. The order to abandon was given, but Nibble stayed behind. Crying, and hysterical, having lost so much, she was determined that she was not going to lose this too. She hadn’t been able to save her city, she hadn’t been able to save her friends or family, she hadn’t been able to save her unit, by the gods she was going to save what was left, starting with THIS machine!

Nibble worked frantically trying to save the war machine, and prevent its power core from exploding, if nothing else it would give the other two time to get away. She was fighting a losing battle, however, as the machine had taken too much punishment. She was only delaying the inevitable. Realizing her doom, she tried the ejection system.

If she had been a moment later, she would have been killed. The machine ripped itself apart in a grand explosion, the shockwave of which propelled poor Nibble beyond Tinkertown. Barely conscious, she managed to open her parachute in time to slow herself enough that she fell gently, if awkwardly, near Kharanos.

She was found by a Dwarf Paladin, Brovinald, on his way back to Ironforge to report a large and mysterious explosion in northwestern Dun Morogh. The charred, beaten Gnome woman before him was disconcerting. He took her into Ironforge and to the Mystic Ward. The dwarves learned what happened in Gnomeregan soon enough, as Gnomish refugees poured in with tales of devastation and ruin.

It was weeks before Nibble recovered, and even when she began to regain consciousness, she was half mad, as though she were still fighting the battle in Gnomeregan. It took some time, but she began to regain her senses as the toxins left her system. The psychological toll, however, was not so readily healed.

She was gathering her things, readying to leave one morning, when Brovinald came to check on her. She had been crying off and on for several days, and today was no exception, though today was different for another reason. Nibble was mad, mad at everything.

Nibble had made a vow to herself. She would not rest until she had set things to right. Not until she had done honor to her unit, her home, her family, and her race. She would never forget that fateful day, or her inability to protect what she cared about. She begged Brovinald to train her to fight.

Brovinald outwardly laughed at the notion. Nibble was no fighter. Nibble was infuriated and rushed at Brovinald. All the rage over everything that had happened came out in a thunderous fury, one that rocked Brovinald back on his heels and had him tasting blood almost immediately.

Brovinald was no novice to battle, however, and though taken by surprise, he was still a paladin. He stunned Nibble with the power of the Light to snap her out of her rage. He’d seen that look before, seen it in the eyes of a hundred hundred battle raged warriors on the field. This Gnome may not be a fighter now, but she certainly had the fire within.

Brovinald, however, fought with the holy power of the Light. Nibble had never had much use for faith, and the Light hadn’t been enough to save her kin, nor did she seem to have any particular knack for it. Brovinald taught her what he could of the martial disciplines. For months they sparred, and Nibble trained, harder than any Brovinald had seen before. Brovinald went to see Kelstrum Stonebreaker who was responsible for training all the guards and militia in Dun Morogh, to tell him of his new student. Brovinald informed Kelstrum that this Gnome was unlike any Brovinald had ever known, and was forcing herself into isolation from her own kind out of shame, determined not to return until she has the strength to avenge her fallen city.

Brovinald still did not know her name, she had refused to give it, thinking herself unworthy of a Gnomish name, frustrated, Brovinald had asked what he should call her. Her response would have been amusing if it weren’t for the malevolent and pained undertones when she replied that in a fight she could only “Nibble yer bum”, and until she had earned her name back, that’s what she would be called. Brovinald was crestfallen to still see so much despair in one so young, whose eyes still shone with the vigor and hope of youth, but were tempered and darkened by terrible loss and strife far beyond this one’s years.

Kelstrum agreed to train her, but only after evaluating her personally. His first impressions were not promising. This wisp of a girl seemed to struggle with simple mail, and while she held her sword and shield competently enough, they appeared quite heavy and bulky for her small frame. He repeatedly tried to talk to her, and her only response was to snarl and bang her sword and shield together. Kelstrum advanced, expecting this not to take long.

Nibble was fast. Impossibly fast given her size and the equipment she had, she was on him in an instant and before he realized what had happened, he found himself on his rump, her sword at his throat. He stood slowly as she backed away and he readied himself and waved her on.

She had fire, of that there could be no doubt. Her rage alone seemed to give her an impossible strength, and unbelievable speed. However she was inexperienced, and though Brovinald had trained her well in basic martial discipline, she was not yet a warrior. She still was not tempered and hammered into a weapon, but her steel was strong, stronger than he’d seen in decades.

Nibble was raw, but Kelstrum’s training tempered her. Soon, she was traveling Azeroth with Brovinald on missions for the Alliance, gaining the respect and admiration of her peers in the field as she fought with honor, courage, and more ferocity than anyone could ever expect out of a single Gnome warrior. The nickname she’d been going by stuck, and she eventually came to see it as an affectation rather than a pejorative.

On her travels she met a Night Elf, a druid named “Phantastic”. As with Nibble’s name, it was apparently a nickname from someone else, though in her case it started as an affectation. The two became fast friends, their skills melding oon the battle field flawlessly. They seemed to share an almost uncanny connection, quite unusual for a Gnome and Night Elf.

Nibble did eventually return to Gnomeregan, and led a small group through the city attempting to find information, rescue anyone still behind, and find out what had happened inside the city, and what had been happening since the Gnomes evacuated, as well as to save certain technologies. Her mission was a rousing success, even earning a commendation from Mekkatorque himself!

Nibble, Phantastic, and Brovinald continued adventuring across Azeroth, going to where their expertise and skill were needed, whether Kalimdor or Eastern Kingdoms. Unknown to them, the Burning Legion was once again gathering for an assault on Azeroth, and the Dark Portal would soon reopen.

End Part I

Part II

When the Dark Portal opened and Orcs began streaming into Azeroth, our companions were supporting operations in the Plaguelands following the defeat of Kel’Thuzad. By the time they arrived in the Blasted Lands, the bulk of the Alliance Expeditionary Force was already through the portal.

They couldn’t believe their eyes. Before them was a whirlwind of activity, Horde and Alliance forces both viciously fighting against the tide of the Legion’s onslaught. Nibble’s heart was there, on the front line, holding the portal, however their orders were to reinforce Honor Hold and from there strike out against the Legion’s operations.

Honor Hold was in shambles. It was amazing its people had held out for as long as they had after the first invasion through the portal. Our companions rampaged across Outland with a furious vengeance. Nibble saw so much of herself and what the Gnomes had been through in The Broken. What she saw summoned a rage so deep within her that she actually began to take pleasure in slaughtering the minions of the Legion.

Our companions were among the armies sent into the most dangerous strongholds of the Legion on Outland. Nibble and Phantastic fought so well together they were at times indistinguishable. Phantastic’s druidic talents and abilities were second to none, and her ability to heal saved Nibble’s life on more than one occasion, as Nibble’s tenacity and almost mystical ability to really piss off demons saved Phantastic’s.

Brovinald, not to be outdone, was right in the thick of things, unleashing his divine wrath on the agents of evil. Nothing pleased this Paladin more than smashing the foul denziens that threatened his world with the Light that had provided for him his entire life. The stalwart Dwarf nearly met his end on several occasions, but somehow the companions always managed to pull through.

With Illidan & Kael’Thas defeated, it nearly seemed as though their work in Outland was done when word reached them that Kael’Thas had somehow survived, and that the Legion was invading Azeroth itself! The Blood Elves had been duped, and trouble was brewing on the Isle of Quel’Danas.

Our heroes were assigned to the advance units to land on the island and establish a forward operations base from which to assault the Sunwell itself. They watched in satisfaction after weeks of fighting on the Island as the final gates fell and their armies pressed into the Sunwell. Our heroes rejoiced when word came out that Kil’Jaeden himself had been defeated within, and Mu’ru had been reborn, and with the news of the Shattered Suns victory, and the death of the remaining demons from the Burning Legion, the remaining mortals loyal to the Legion laid down arms and surrendered.

There would be no time for rest, however, as even while the Blood Elves set to rebuilding their society, and the scars from the Legion’s two pronged invasion were just beginning to heal, a familiar and hideous plague once again began spread throughout Azeroth.

End Part II

Part III

Nibble, Phantastic, and Brovinald were relaxing in Ironforge, taking a well deserved rest after the victorious campaigns in Outland and Isle of Quel’Danas when rumors of a sickness spreading through the kingdom began filtering in. A meeting was held where reports from all over the Eastern Kingdoms were heard. Necrotic Crystals springing up, hordes of undead flowing across the land like water, and entire cities falling ill with a plague that brought both death, and undeath.

The Scourge was on the move.

Nibble was anxious to help liberate her homeland, and had been working to try and rally support to the Gnomes’ cause when the truth behind The Scourge’s latest movements was revealed.

Arthas was no longer content to sit in Northrend. Armed with a new plague and a bottomless hatred of all things living, the Lich King meant to destroy all the Kingdoms of Azeroth.

Once again our heroes were called upon to aid the cause, however with all of their contributions in numerous campaigns across Azeroth and Outland, this time they would be leading the charge.

Upon arriving in Northrend and settling into the Alliance foothold in Borean Tundra they fought tirelessly against not just the minions of the Scourge, but also the mysterious Titan remnants that seemed as bent on their destruction as the Scourge. Something was different about the Titan remnants though, and it came as a great shock to both Nibble and Brovinald that Gnomes had once been mechanical before some “Curse of Flesh” has occurred, and that Dwarves had a similar history.

This “Curse of Flesh” seemed bizarre, but there was incontrovertible evidence supporting it. Additionally, working with Brann Bronzebeard, they discovered other Titan artifacts and contructs so immense and awe inspiring that it was difficult to imagine beings capable of such construction. Not even the ancient Dwarven strongholds of legend could compare to some of the wonders found within the Halls of Origination, and Loken’s bizarre behavior, finally resulting in him being laid to rest within the Halls of Lightening truly showed our heroes that while the Titans were mighty, their creations were not infallible, and that something was acting upon them.

Unfortunately, Brovinald would not live to find out the truth behind these strange occurrences. The call was made. All able bodied soldiers and heroes were to report to Fordragon Hold. The time to assault the Icecrown Citadel was nigh. The Alliance forces were led by none other than Bolvar Fordragon himself, legendary hero of the Alliance, veteran of innumerable campaigns and Steward to the throne of the Human Kingdom of Stormwind during King Wrynn’s absence. Our heroes were honored to serve under such a legendary warrior.

As the assault on the Wrathgate bore on losses were heavy, and the addition of the Horde forces (thankfully for once, NOT turning their weapons against the Alliance) was a welcome reprieve. Finally, after many brutal hours of fighting, the Scourge forces had been defeated and the Wrathgate had been taken. Brovinald had been severely wounded during the battle, an abomination’s chain hook catching him horrendously across the midsection, disemboweling him and nearly chopping him in half. Nibble charge the abomination in a rage. If the scene hadn’t been such ferocious brutality, it might have been comical as Nibble’s tiny frame moved impossibly fast and with incredible agility, actually scaling the giant monster and literally chopping it into pieces from the top down.

As Nibble’s rage faded and a small break in the battle appeared, Nibble rushed to her fallen friend’s side. Phantastic’s healing magics were almost exhausted, and it was all she could do to ease his pain somewhat. Nibble took some herbs from a pouch and bade Brovinald to chew on them, tears in her eyes.
Bolvar ordered a contingent, led by Nibble and Phantastic, to get the wounded back to Fordragon Hold, as well as to send word for reinforcements, and for the siege weaponry to move forward. This gate was going to fall and be breached. Arthas’ defeat was at hand!

Brovinald never made it back to the Hold. Nibble held his hand as he took his last breaths. “Ye know… Nibble… ye’ve still never…. told me yer real…. name. I know how ye… feel, but yer… the finest warrior I’ve … ever had the pleasure to fight alongside. Drink a pint for me eh?”

Nibble told her name to the dying Dwarf, but it was too late, he was already gone. Nibble wailed in rage and grief at the loss of her friend, her mentor, and the first person to really believe in her. Nibble was determined to lead the charge back to the Wrathgate. She was going to personally jam her sword into that bastard Arthas’ throat.

Shortly after, the Alliance launched a major offensive against Undercity, determined to retake Lordaeron from the Horde and end the threat of the Forsaken once and for all. Neither Nibble nor Phantastic were recovered enough from the Wrathgate (even their position at Fordragon Hold was not enough to entirely protect them from the effects of the poison or the dragonflame, although their injuries were relatively light) to participate, and instead they were assigned the task of putting together an elite force to assault the Lich King’s holdings throughout Northrend, as well as to uncover any information or technology from the Titans they could that might aid their cause.

Nibble, her name once a pejorative, then an affectation, now she wore as tribute to her fallen friend whom had died without ever finding out her real name. As far as she was concerned, Nibble was who she was, and who she would always be. Her former name belonged with her former life, which seemed as foreign and as far removed from who she was now as an Orc would be. Only those who have known her since her earliest days as a fighter know what the rest of her name was, as everyone simply calls her “Nibble”, or “Nibs”, and most think it’s an ironic nickname for her eating habits (over the years she’s become less concerned with table manners, and more resembles a Dwarf than a Gnome when eating).

Many had reservations about following a Gnome Warrior with a Night Elf companion into battle, but any objections evaporated when these two demonstrated their prowess in combat, as well as their strategic abilities.

With an army at their back, they invaded the floating death citadel of Naxxarammas, and Bolvar himself would have been impressed (as was Tirion) at how quickly the citadel fell. It seemed the forces led by Nibble and Phantastic could not be stopped, as even the Dragons within the Obsidian Sanctum, and the now mad Kalecgos fell before them.

Tirion was planning another assault on Icecrown Citadel when Brann Bronzebeard returned to Dalaran with a startling discovery. The ancient Titan city of Ulduar had been discovered, and a great darkness had awakened which if left unchecked and allowed to fully awaken and recover from millennia of imprisonment would make even The Scourge seem mild by comparison. Not since the days of C’Thun had Azeroth known such a threat.

Following Nibble and Phantastic’s successful campaigns thus far in Northrend, they were given the mission of investigating Ulduar, salvaging any technology within, finding the source of this seeping evil that slept within and vanquish it.

As their army drew near the gates of Ulduar after fighting past the many constructs protecting it, Nibble couldn’t help but notice a striking resemblance of some of the Titan technology to that of current Gnomish technology. The battle tanks were of similar design, and she made note of some of the great efficiencies of their design, perhaps they would prove useful in the liberation of Gnomeregan.

Their forces fought through to the Antechamber of Ulduar in short order, and after defeating the Iron Council and discovering the corruption of the Keepers, as well as the message that had been broadcast indicating Azeroth was corrupted and likely needed to be “cleansed”, Nibble and Phantastic realized they had to act fast. After subduing the Keepers and gaining access to the Observatory within Ulduar Nibble and Phantastic had to make a difficult decision. The Old God Yogg’Saron still remained and had to be put down, but this Algalon had to be dealt with immediately.

The bulk of Nibble and Phantastic’s army would aid Brann and fight Algalon, while reinforcements coming into Ulduar would follow Nibble and Phantastic into madness that was Yogg’Saron’s prison. Fate was with our heroes on this day, as not only was the assault on Yogg’Saron successful, but Algalon became convinced of the worthiness of the life on Azeroth in spite of its corruption. The reunited forces returned triumphantly to Dalaran, as Brann and Rhonin dispatched the Alpha reply code preventing the reorigination of Azeroth.

Unfortunately, the fight with Yogg’Saron took a serious toll on both Nibble and Phantastic, and while they were not well enough to participate in the Argent Tournament, they did oversee it with Tirion Fordring and helped plan some of the training exercises that would prepare the forces of the Alliance for their final assault on the Lich King’s stronghold.

The time to march on Icecrown Citadel was at hand! The unlikely duo found themselves once again in command, albeit under Tirion Fordring for the invasion of Icecrown Citadel. After fighting their way into the monstrosity (and learning that Bolvar still lived) they fought their way to the top of the citadel in a running battle to get to the SkyFire, pride of the Alliance air fleet.

The Alliance were not the only ones eager to vanquish Arthas, however, as the Horde tried to blast them out of the Sky. The SkyFire took heavy damage during the fight, and was forced to remain docked where it was for repairs. The army pressed forward deeper into the citadel. Upon defeating Sindragosa as the army readied for its final assault on Arthas, word reached them that the SkyFire was once again under stack by Scourge forces and had taken heavy losses, including most of its engineering crew and its healers were exhausted. Nibble was tasked with returning to oversee repairs, as Phantastic was charged with caring for the wounded. Tirion gathered the remaining forces and proceeded to the pinnacle of the fortress, to the Frozen Throne itself.

Not much is known of what followed, only that a desperate battle was waged in which Arthas was finally vanquished, Bolvar fell, and only Tirion lived to return. Something terrible had happened on that tower, and it so haunted Tirion that he would not speak of it, and a profound darkness enveloped him whenever it was mentioned.

Victory had finally been achieved, but at tremendous cost.

As the heroes of Northrend (or rather, the ones that were left) returned home, a relative calm descended on Azeroth. The Horde were doing a bit of sabre rattling, but it seemed even they had had quite enough of war and bloodshed for the time being.

Upon returning to Irongforge, Nibble was excited to hear that an ambitious plan to retake Gnomeregan was in the works, and along with Phantastic they began making preparations for the invasion, performing reconnaissance and covert operations to gauge the strength of the forces holding the city, looking for weaknesses to exploit while Dwarven and Gnomish engineers went to work building new war machines using information gleaned from the Ulduar campaign. Perhaps this would finally be what was needed to drive the Troggs out for good, and bring that treacherous Thermaplugg to justice.

End Part III

Reserved

Reserved

Reserved

Reserved

Reserved

Ok that should be enough room for me to finish the backstory (I hope).

Comments appreciated! This is all basically first draft, but I'd like to get feedback, good and bad. I enjoy thinking up and telling the stories behind my characters, figuring out who they are and why they are the way they are.

The couple of people I've shown this to have liked it so far, but I'm always looking for more feedback!

Thanks!

This is amazing! I loved reading all about Nibble ^-^ I do hope her adventures continue, and she gets the pleasure of finally reclaiming Gnomeregan!

Well done Nibble :)

It indeed reads like a first draft. Without going into details, a few of your elements could use some revision, polish, and formatting for readability. There were a few word-swap errors I caught off hand but they were no big deal. Everything in toll I enjoyed the tale and look forward to the rest you have prepared :D

Again, Well Done! :)
/cheer