Appearing Characters: Anachronos, Chromie, Elgin Clickspring, Gelbin Mekkatorque, Gilveradin Windrunner, Kairozdormu, Kelsey Steelspark, Liiraluma, Samia Inkling, Seria, Soridormi, Teemo Manabrake, Tread Sparknozzle, Uther Menethil, Vaelastrasz, Velameestra Windrunner
September 28th [Time-Lost Day 1]
As the battle started to unravel, Luma aimed their disruptor rifle at the junker queen.
Liiraluma says: I like my skin! You wouldn’t look good in purple!
The blast managed to connect with a part of the leper gnome leader’s cheek, leaving a scorch mark. They then siphoned their own mana back into the gun as they reloaded the weapon.
A small creature that was covered in buzz saws and junk parts began to roll down towards Uther. Uther narrowly avoided one of the buzz saws as it sparked off his armor. However, its other buzzsaw clipped in, and Vel’s eyes flashed as a surge of magic was released from her hand.
Velameestra Windrunner says [quietish]: Frigid winds of the lost abyss, rime the soul with depthless frost!
Magic washed over the junk piles and filled the crevices with a sudden explosion of ice magic that erupted upwards and destroyed many of the gathered enemies with a surge of flash frozen rime. She then looked at the scrapyard horror that had attacked Uther and channeled blood magic into it, magenta light tracing every crevice in it and causing it to shatter.
Uther Menethil says: You know, it didn’t hit me that hard!
Velameestra Windrunner says: The sooner they are destroyed, the better.
More leper gnomes raced forward and began to spray streams of bile from their mouths as they continued their mad ramblings. The leper gnome wild mage started to channel pale magic as he summoned a [Fireball] and hurled it at the group. It slammed into the ground and roiled outwards over the party.
Another scrapyard horror rolled down towards Gil and opened up a bleeding wound with its buzzsaw. Another leper gnome released a spew of bile over the group. Zagarra leaped into the air and vanished in a cloud of sand before reappearing a split second later behind the leper gnome mage. She had claws of bone that extended over her hands and she slashed at the mage. She cut open a wound, but he was able to hold his ground before she retreated again.
Gil put his palm on the ground and a ripple of fiery lines erupted from the ground and formed into a massive, flaming dragon that resembled Tyranastrasz. It roared and released a gout of flame over a group of enemies.
Vel did a double-take, surprise evident on her face at the manifestation of magic.
Velameestra Windrunner says: I… see you’ve been busy.
Gilveradin Windrunner says: It has been a year.
Uther started to whoop and cheer at the display. The leper gnomes started to panic and one vomited in fear over several of its allies and also Gil. Vel winced, however, as one of the gnomes that had been caught on fire started to screech to pain.
One of the rampaging motospiders launched a grappling hook at the massive illusory dragon, but it was left confused as the attack was completely ineffective.
Seria shifted into her massive bear form and raked her claw across a leper gnome, into a scrapyard horror, and then into another leper gnome. Two of the enemies crumpled beneath her claws. One of the leper gnomes exploded, and a rain of bile and gore rippled over the nearby creatures. There was a chain reaction as another leper gnome exploded, and then another. Seria then leaped on another leper gnome and began to gouge it.
A nearby toxic sludge glurbled up next to Vel and Luma and a panicked leper gnome spat up bile over the dragon and the motospider.
Leper Gnome says [gnim]: S…somethin’s not right here…
A toxic sludge swung with one of its pseudopods and smacked Seria and another lurched up to Uther and Luma. A malfunctioning scraphound leaped onto Uther, who deflected the machine aside with a [Shield]. A scrapyard horror burst out of the scrap to attack Luma and barely nicked them. Another scrapyard horror opened up a wound in Seria’s flank.
The leper gnome junker queen slid down the junk pile and hurled a spear and a dagger at Luma. There was a strange device on one of them, and Luma felt a pull. The dagger was magnetized, and it was tugged back towards the gnome, but Luma was able to hold their ground. Another scraphound raced forward, and a long cable wrapped around their hoof and knocked them on their back.
A cable launched from a motospider’s spinneret and wrapped around Vel, which then brought it into her face and sank its claws into her arm. Another leper gnome panicked and spewed bile at Seria and Gil. Another scrapyard horror spun wildly and nicked Luma with one of its buzzsaws, and a motospider moved to flank Gil.
Uther brought up the flaming great axe he had claimed from Creed and brought it through the nearest toxic horror. But then the oil slick sludge split into two, smaller identical oozes. He carved into the nearby scraphound, and it seemed that it was starting to overload. He then used [Flash of Light] on Seria to mend some of her wounds.
The junker queen squinted at the illusory dragon.
Junker Queen says [gnim]: That thing’s not a real dragon!
She hurled a knife through the creature to alert her fellow leper gnomes. Gil commanded the dragon to fly over and release another breath weapon over a swathe of enemies, including the junker queen.
Leper Gnome shouts [gnim]: THEN WHY DOES IT BURN!?
An arrow suddenly just hit a motospider in the back of the head, and Gil then fired another fiery arrow into another motospider. The flame erupted into the shape of a fiery mana wyrm and slammed into another leper gnome. Ara’shel jumped on the leper gnome and tore into it.
The leper gnome wild mage pulled out a broken stopwatch and used [Haste] on the junker queen. Luma used [Guardian of Faith] and flicked a sphere into the air. It unfolded into a pylon.
Guardian of Faith Pylon says [draenic]: Perimeter defenses, activated.
The motospider continued to claw at Vel, but she deflected the attacks away with a [Shield]. The pylon started to fire its lasers at the enemies that were in its perimeter.
Seria crushed a scrapyard horror beneath her claws before rounding on the nearby toxic sludge. Uther dug his axe into the side of one of the scraphounds. It rapidly began to whine as it overheated and then exploded. He carried the axe through and caused another one to explode. It then cut through another motospider and then sliced a toxic sludge. He then used [Flash of Light] on Luma. The pylon Luma summoned continued to fire.
Vel looked around in an amount of panic, completely ignoring the motospider on her as she then twisted and vanished in a flurry of bladework from [Steel Wind Strike]. She reappeared behind the junker queen as several of the leper gnomes exploded. Vel then raced across the junk after the leper gnome wild mage.
The junker queen shouted.
Junker Queen shouts [gnim]: It’s coming! Scatter!
She then dove into the junk and retreated.
Gil fired off two shots at the remaining constructs as Luma moved aside to give an opening. The illusory dragon swept around and released another swathe of fire, incinerating the remaining constructs. Luma’s crystalline hand glowed and summoned motes of energy that fired off a barrage from [Arcane Missile]. Ara’shel slammed into the last toxic sludge with his wings.
Leper Gnome Wild Mage shouts [gnim]: It’s coming! I need to leave!
Vel was able to get the gist of what he was saying, and it appeared he could understand her due to whatever wild magic had gone off with his casting.
Velameestra Windrunner says: What’s coming?
Leper Gnome Wild Mage shouts [gnim]: The flying steel! It will rend your flesh! You should go too!
The leper gnome panicked and put itself out and then used [Dimension Door] to leave. Vel turned her eyes skyward, and she could see Vaelastrasz rapidly arriving in the air, but nothing else. She looked over to her companions across the battlefield.
Velameestra Windrunner says: They said something about flying steel.
Uther Menethil says: That’s silly. Steel can’t fly.
The rest of the enemies were dispatched or slain, and the group reconvened. Vaelastrasz landed and asked what was going on, and suggested that the gnomes may have been talking about the surveyor drones he had encountered and easily dispatched.
Samia Inkling says: I don’t know what these creatures are… they look like gnomes. They were speaking their language.
Gilveradin Windrunner says: You know gnim?
Samia Inkling says: It was a hobby of mine.
Vel got [Detect Magic] up, and then she saw a wave of conjuration magic. And then lines of magical energy started to appear, and something teleported in. Suddenly, there was a massive, floating platform with jet boosters and a dome on top that seemed to be scanning around. It dwarfed the dragon that had arrived.
Vaelastrasz says: …The things I found were not that large.
Armed Fortress says [gnim]: Anomalous energy detected. Large concentration of leper pox detected. Warning. Flesh coefficient above recommended levels. Initiating localized protocols.
Armed Fortress says [titanic]: Anomalous energy detected. Large concentration of leper pox detected. Warning. Flesh coefficient above recommended levels. Initiating localized protocols.
It started to shift, and a steel ball started to levitate in the air and scintillate with lightning and arcane magic.
Armed Fortress says [gnim]: Beginning origination purge protocols. All staff, retreat to safe distance. I repeat, all staff, please retreat to a safe distance.
Armed Fortress says [titanic]: Beginning origination purge protocols. All staff, retreat to safe distance. I repeat, all staff, please retreat to a safe distance.
Samia Inkling says: We need to get away from that thing. Now.
It was a piece of machinery even Luma had not seen before. It was covered in bladed shielding, and it was covered in intense arcane energy. As the forcefield started to expand, it was deleting all organic matter. At that moment, there was a blast of sand, and an adult bronze dragon appeared.
Bronze Dragon says: Looks like I got here just in time!
The dragon lobbed a ball of sand into the forcefield, and pierced through it, and then hit the vehicle. It disappeared.
Kairozdormu says: I sent it back a few minutes in time. We should have a brief amount of time before it returns.
Gilveradin Windrunner says: Who are you?!
Chromie says: Kairoz? Is that you?
Kairozdormu says: It’s good to see you, Chromie! We can catch up once we’ve reached safety!
They started to run. Vel paused only long enough to grab part of the viscera that was left by the gnomes. They put ample distance between them, and the new dragon then took the visage form of a handsome elf. Chromie immediately ran up and hugged him.
Kairozdormu says: It’s good to see you too, Chromie. Though I wish it was under better circumstances.
The bronze dragon looked at the group.
Kairozdormu says: Take a minute to catch your breath. We can go to Rustbolt when you recovered. I think the HK lost track of us.
Liiraluma says: What was that thing?
Kairozdormu says: I only know what the others found out. They call them Hunter Killer Suppression units. Mechagon uses them to hunt down those in the junklands. A lot of times they bring them underground. Other times, they just eliminate them. This one was the 8th series, I think. There are smaller ones. That one… they don’t know how to fight yet. It’s a lot better to just run. Who are your friends, Chromie?
Chromie says: Oh! Sorry!
She introduces everyone, and the other dragon’s eyes lingered on Gil.
Kairozdormu says: Well. Welcome to this hell hole where the rest of us have been stuck.
Vel was listening to the introductions and the conversation that was unfolding, but she had started to ritual cast [Analyze Blood] on the blood she had managed to pull out of the gore she had retrieved so that she could dispose of it. Samia had approached her.
Samia Inkling says: What are you hoping to discover with those remains?
Velameestra Windrunner says: Ideally whatever the hell was wrong with them.
Samia Inkling says: I may have a spell that could help you with that. If… you don’t mind the assistance?
Velameestra Windrunner says: …I’m in the process of casting something of my own. Perhaps, if there is further divining to be found, but it’s been created to discern diseases in blood, among other things.
Samia blinked.
Samia Inkling says: …I see. Well. Don’t mind me then.
Samia watched as Vel continued ritual casting the spell.
Samia Inkling says: Huh. Well it… seems the two of us have come to a similar conclusion with our spellwork.
She laughed nervously as Vel's eyes flitted up to her.
Velameestra Windrunner says: A sparse niche that has not yet been widely filled. I’m not surprised.
Samia continued to watch as the other conversation continued.
Gilveradin Windrunner says: Are there other bronze here?
Kairozdormu says: Yeah. A lot of us.
Gilveradin Windrunner says: You’ve been all getting trapped here?
Kairozdormu says: One after another. Whoever is responsible seems to have a grudge against us. The Aspect is here. And his consorts.
Gilveradin Windrunner says: …The Aspect?
Kairozdormu says: Yeah. He’s trying to search the timeways in the Caverns of Time. His son, Anachronos, has been leading the flight in his absence.
Gilveradin Windrunner says: Wait, is this Azeroth?
Kairozdormu says: I don’t think so. Not anymore, at least. I’m sure the others will be able to answer your questions better. I’m a relative newcomer. Then again, it’s hard to tell how long we’ve been trapped here. We’ll head in that direction once you are all ready. They’ve constructed the Caverns of Time in a small hill not too far from Rustbolt.
Gilveradin Windrunner says: Where?
Kairozdormu says: A small village cloaked by the gnomish technology. A group of rebels hiding from King Mechagon. You probably have no idea what I’m talking about.
Gilveradin Windrunner says: Gnomes aren’t even real where we’re from.
Kairozdormu says: Yeah. I think they’re just not there. For whatever reason, this entire island is crawling with them.
He stomped on the ground.
Kairozdormu says: There’s a whole city underground called Mechagon. Arcturus Mechagon leads them. Rustbolt is filled with people that fled his regime. But you’re stuck here, so I’m sure they’d be willing to at least hear you out.
Liiraluma says: Sounds like we may as well go.
Gilveradin Windrunner says: I don’t think there’s anywhere else to go.
Kairozdormu expressed the sooner they left, the better. Vel disposed of the viscera once her analysis was complete.
Chromie says: Is it true a bunch of our flight is here?
Kairozdormu says: It is! We’re not exactly sure who is responsible. Most of us were going about our business, but then we were drawn here. Someone did something. Trapped us here. It’s hard to say who or for what reason.
Chromie says: Well… I was brought here by the same mechanism that they were brought here. I think I remember the face. I think it was another bronze dragon.
Kairozdormu says: Is that so? I had a feeling. We can… talk to the prime consort and the acting aspect. Maybe they’ll know who it was.
Chromie says: probably a good idea. What is this island?
Kairozdormu says: We’re still trying to figure that out ourselves. There are plenty of theories… but whatever it is, it’s wrong. Our magics have no effect on it. Peering into the timeways is already a crapshoot, but we can’t even manage that much while we’re here.
Chromie squeezed his hand.
Chromie says: We’ll figure it out together!
Kairozdormu says: You know, I think your optimism is exactly what we were missing, Chromie.
Kairozdormu and Chromie chatted for a bit about everything as Chromie got him caught up on everything.
Kairozdormu says: Maybe you’ll all be able to help.
Vel was musing on the results from the analyze blood spell. The gnomes appeared to be humanoids, still, but they were afflicted by a disease. It seemed to be some sort of degenerative pox that were causing foreign agents and deterioration to proliferate in their bodies. It was as if their bodies had been exposed to something that was causing their cells to breakdown, which caused a lot of different changes that turned their blood acidic and eventually would lead to a full meltdown. The particular specimen was in an advanced stage of mutation.
Chromie says: By the way, how’d you find us?
Kairozdormu says: I sensed temporal disruptions. I had a feeling it may have been one of our wayward brood. I decided to come look. Good thing I did.
Vaelastrasz says: It’s… good to meet all you, even if it’s in less than ideal circumstances. Thanks for searching for us, even if it got you involved here. Once we fix it, maybe we can find my father.
Soon enough, Kairoz stopped.
Kairozdormu says: I think this is the place. Yeah. This should be it.
He reached down and pulled out a small device that he pressed. There was a zapping sound, and a moment later, there was a voice from nowhere.
Gruff Voice says [gnim]: State your name and business.
Kairozdormu says: Kairozdormu, back from patrol. Found some more guests.
Gruff Voice says: More. Great. Lowering the field now.
Vel had noticed there was a visual illusion, which was dropped to reveal a small, bustling village that was built in and around the junkyard. There were cobbled together hovels and various lean-tos. There were large signs with curious symbols and an image of a crossed screw and wrench behind a gear. They saw a number of gnomes that were standing by with rifles that had energy coils as part of them. One of the gnomes stepped forward. Each of them had some sort of prosthesis. One had a mechanical arm with a clamp, another had a mechanical leg and mechanical eyes. None of them were fully flesh.
The one that stepped forward, armored in ruddy green and blue, was a man with a steel hand. He was bald and had an eyepatch and five o clock shadow.
Gnome Soldier says: Now who the hell are you? And what are you doing here?
Gilveradin Windrunner says: Well. Honestly we got trapped here.
Liiraluma says: Wouldn’t you get tired of asking?
Gnome Soldier says: Yeah. Yeah I do. I’m going to need your names and any information you can give. We keep a tight lock on this place. If you’ll follow me, it won’t take long.
They followed after the gnome and some of the other guards fell in behind him.
Gnome Soldier says: This is Rustbolt. High Tinker Mekkatorque may call the shots, but I own these streets. You answer to me. I run a tight ship. I have to. If they find us, it won’t be pretty. You do anything in this place, you come and ask me. You go to the latrines, you ask me. You buy breakfast, you ask me.
Uther Menethil says: Every time I have to use the bathroom, I come find you?
Gnome Soldier says: Did I stutter?
Uther Menethil says: You didn’t, just seems horribly inconvenient... It seems like you have more on your plate than worrying about when I'm using the latrine.
Gnome Soldier says: It’s a figure of speech!
Gilveradin Windrunner says: What scale are we looking at here?
A vein pulsed on the gnome’s forehead.
Uther Menethil says: Right. That’s my point. A realistic metric may be helpful seeing we don’t know what’s going on.
One of the other guards snickered.
Gnome Soldier says: Something funny, lieutenant? Because it sure sounded like you laugh. Share.
Gnome Lieutenant says: Yes sir! It’s just funny because they are taking it extremely literally! And most people don’t!
Gnome Soldier says: Yeah. So good of you to volunteer why that was funny, and for cleaning the latrines.
Gnome Lieutenant says: Sir yes sir!
Gnome Soldier says: You don’t need to tell me everything, but if you see anything suspicious or dangerous or threatening, you tell me. Immediately. Got that?
Gilveradin Windrunner says: Yeah, completely clear.
Gnome Soldier says: You dragons like the rest?
Gilveradin Windrunner says: No, I’m just an elf.
Vaelastrasz says: I’m actually a dragon.
Chromie says: Me too!
Gnome Soldier says: So the others? You’re not? Huh. That’s a first.
The soldier kept walking.
Velameestra Windrunner says: How should we refer to you, sir?
Gnome Soldier says: Captain Tread Sparknozzle. Captain Sparknozzle, or Captain, will do.
Liiraluma says: Sparknozzle…
Tread Sparknozzle says: What of it?
Liiraluma says: I’m not used to the language.
Tread Sparknozzle says: Well. Good thing we’re talking in it. Get used to it. You’re mechanized too? But that’s not Mechagon technology.
Liiraluma says: No. Draenic. I’ll tell you later.
Tread Sparknozzle says: Draenei? Alright. One less question I need to ask. I’ll need to take an inventory of your belongings.
They passed an open tent that seemed to be a cross between a medical tent and a workshop. One gnome was dressed in white, and she was using medical equipment, but she had a mechanized eye and she was speaking as she was opening another gnome. The entire gnome’s body was covered in steel.
Head Medical Gnome says [gnim]: Looks like 98.7% mechanization. Anything we can do?
Medical Gnome says [gnim]: I’m not sure. We’ll keep running some tests, but I'm not sure how much of him is left in there.
The group was drawing a lot of attention. All the gnomes had at least some mechanization, even if it was just a hand, an eye, or a finger. Eventually, they arrived at a barracks where there were more soldiers. Captain Sparknozzle led them in and they went through an extensive cataloging of their things.
Kairoz told the group to come find them at the Caverns of Time when they were done, and he gestured toward the hills outside the city proper, and then he took Chromie with him after she finished her processing. One of the gnomes commented on some of Vel's strange belongings, to which she said she was a mage, and the explanation satisfied the one taking inventory. The artificer that was checking over the Demon Soul mentioned it was on an entirely different level.
Tread Sparknozzle says: Alright. Gilveradin Windrunner? What the hell is this thing?
Gilveradin Windrunner says: Good question. It’s a lot of things.
Tread crossed his arms.
Gilveradin Windrunner says: Not enough for you?
Tread raised a brow.
Tread Sparknozzle says: What do you think, soldier?
Gilveradin Windrunner says: It’s a dangerous artifact that needs to be destroyed.
Tread Sparknozzle says: You tried explosives?
Gilveradin Windrunner says: We tried a lot of things.
Tread Sparknozzle says: Alright. You keep an eye on this. If there’s any trouble, I’m confiscating it, and burying in the deepest electromagnetic crate you’ll ever see in your damned life.
The processing was finished, and Captain Sparknozzle expressed the High Tinker wanted to speak with them.
Tread Sparknozzle says: This here is Elgin Clickspring. She’s the High Tinker assistant. She’ll take you to see High Tinker Mekkatorque.
He gestured to a gnome woman who had arrived and was going over copies of the dossiers that had been created.
Elgin Clickspring says: If you’ll just follow me. You are Liiraluma, no surname. Angus, uh, the Bastard? Is that a surname?
Uther Menethil says: In a manner of speakin’.
Elgin Clickspring says: In which manner of speaking? When I announce you to the High Tinker I want to make sure I do it correctly.
Uther Menethil says: Well, most would call me Angus Hill where I'm from, but I don’t like that sound. So I picked a different one.
Elgin Clickspring says: Okay. Then Angus, surname, the Bastard.
She went through the rest of the names.
Elgin Clickspring says: I would ask two things of you. Speak clearly and annunciate. He has mastery of the common tongue, but his mechanization leads him to be hypersensitive to sound. I would also ask that you exercise discretion when speaking. I understand his physical appearance can be alarming. He’s undergone a great deal of mechanization. Do not, how do you put it, stare?
Gilveradin Windrunner says: Staring would be rude.
Elgin Clickspring says: He is polite, but can be self-conscious about the degree of mechanization. But allow me to welcome you to Rustbolt.
Velameestra Windrunner says: I’m sorry… but I need to ask, is the mechanization not… willing?
There was a pregnant pause.
Elgin Clickspring says: That is correct. That’s why we are here. This is the only land outside Mechagon’s reign, other than the Poxlands. But I don’t recommend going there. The High Tinker will have more information. But your observation is correct.
Elgin led them to the largest of the buildings and they were promptly sprayed with water. It burned intensely has Vel was hit by it, and she hissed as she hurriedly stepped out of it, her flesh burned and melted. Elgin looked back at her with concerned surprise.
Elgin Clickspring says: I’ve never seen that reaction to it before.
Velameestra Windrunner says: Is this water... blessed?
Elgin Clickspring says: Yes. Is that a problem?
Velameestra Windrunner says: It… I react poorly.
Elgin Clickspring says: I see.
Elgin looked down at her dossiers and made a note on it. They were led into large chambers, and they heard machinery actively being used as people worked.
Elgin Clickspring says: High Tinker Mekkatorque is in the chamber within. Please remember my advice. If you require anything, I’ll be by the door waiting. As a warning, his chamber is dark. Exceptional light is discomforting. So he keeps his personal chamber unlit. I hope that’s not a problem for you?
Everyone assured her that it was alright. The chamber door opened as the large gear rotated. Inside, they saw a wide open workshop with dozens of projects half-completed. There was nothing that resembled a bed, and there were just dimly glowing lights from various projects. Elgin announced the group, but they did not see the High Tinker.
Gelbin Mekkatorque says: Ah. I’m glad that you’ve come here, strangers.
There was the sound of mechanized breathing.
Gelbin Mekkatorque says: Let me welcome you to our humble town. You will be safe here for as long as we are.
There was the sound of clicking.
Gelbin Mekkatorque says: Allow me to introduce myself. I am Gelbin Mekkatorque. Those here call me High Tinker, but that is because they need leadership.
Stepping from behind machinery was a figure in the shape of a gnome, but the lower half of his body was entirely replaced by spider-like legs. His eyes were replaced with bright glowing goggles, and his face has a respirator built into the side of it. His arms were covered in steel. The only parts that were flesh was his right hand and part of his face.
Gelbin Mekkatorque says: I understand that you and your companions have been marooned here in the same mechanism as the bronze dragons. Correct?
Velameestra Windrunner says: Correct.
Gelbin Mekkatorque says: Well. I sincerely apologize. We will do everything we can to make your lives here as comfortable as possible, but I’m afraid there’s no way to leave this place. None that have been discovered at least, and we have done a great deal of discovering in our lives. But if there are any questions I could answer to you, please. Feel free to ask them, and I will elucidate in whatever ways I can.
Gilveradin Windrunner says: Why did you want to meet with us?
Gelbin Mekkatorque says: You are the first to arrive in a long time. Beyond the dragons, at least.
Velameestra Windrunner says: We… encountered other gnomes in the… Poxlands?
Gelbin Mekkatorque says: Our misbegotten brethren, yes. The afflicted, or the leper gnomes. They are the other side of the scale that king Arcturus has imposed on this island. Arcturus believes in the superiority of mechanization, but the afflicted believe the opposite. That mechanization is death. They pollute their bodies with foul and dangerous compounds. And in doing so, threaten to unmake everything they are, but it is a price they are willing to pay. It is the only thing that has been able to bring one back from mechanization, so-to-speak. The blessing of flesh, they call it. They have fallen a far distance. Their leader, Silco Thermaplugg, was once a dear friend. But the man he is long-gone now. We are trapped in the middle. Caught between a king that would see us stripped of our gnomanity. Turned to cogs and machine, and another who would boil us down. Who would rather die than submit. We do only what we can.
Velameestra Windrunner says: And the kingdom under the ground?
Gelbin Mekkatorque says: That is the house of Mechagon. A sprawling city, now transformed into a dystopia. One that entolls trading one’s own flesh. Marketing it like… like merchandise. We are refugees from that place. A long time ago, Arcturus, once a dear friend of mine as well, our king, made the decision that mechanization was the future of our kind. And so, he began to encourage our people to improve ourselves and turn our back on the curse of flesh, but in time, the suggestions became stronger… questions became demands. It was not long before those who refused were… they disappeared. Never to be heard from again. His mechanized army grows. Ever since the construction of the memory interface, an information regulator, there was nothing we could do…
Velameestra Windrunner says: The sanitation protocols in the Poxlands are from Mechagon?
Gelbin Mekkatorque says: Yes. I was informed of the circumstances of your presence. The afflicted drew the ire of the HK Suppression unit. If it discovered only you, you may have been abducted, and mechanization forced upon you. But the leper gnomes cannot be saved. You need not worry though, your exposure to them will not cause degradation of your own biological systems. We have discovered sanitation protocols that prevent it.
Velameestra Windrunner says: So it is a disease then?
Gelbin Mekkatorque says: Of sorts. Created by the toxic miasma that Silco has used. I fear in time we will be caught in an arms race between Mechagon and the blessing of flesh my old friend created.
Velameestra Windrunner says: And that’s… different from the curse of flesh?
Gelbin Mekkatorque says: One and the same. The curse of flesh afflicted us long ago. It was said our first kin founded this island when they came to it long ago. We were once all mechanized, but over time they changed. Eventually, we became flesh and blood. It was not until the rise of Mechagon, many generations after, that mechanization–upgrades to one’s biological flesh–became commonplace. This island was once a beautiful place filled with creatures and wildlife. But look what we have done to it.
Velameestra Windrunner says: … I see. Apologies, there was a lot of context we did not have.
Gelbin Mekkatorque says: I am simply happy to inform you of what I can.
Samia Inkling says: You mentioned others who came here? That were not dragons?
Gelbin Mekkatorque says: Indeed. There were two who once came to this place. One was a dragon, but the other was a human. A woman named Jaina Proudmoore.
Vel froze, and Uther choked.
Gelbin Mekkatorque says: Is this a name familiar to you?
Gilveradin Windrunner says: Yes. The dragon with her, was he Korialstrasz?
Gelbin Mekkatorque says: He was a red dragon, yes.
Velameestra Windrunner says: They left?
Gelbin Mekkatorque says: They are gone.
Gilveradin Windrunner says: They escaped?
Gelbin Mekkatorque says: I don’t know. They did a great deal to help our people. Rustbolt was smaller then. They sought to escape, and they believed that King Mechagon had the answers. They believed that the Mimir might have been the key. The two of them infiltrated Mechagon city, but I never heard from them again. Mimir is still active. But we have not seen a mechanized soldier fitting their descriptions. It’s possible they were incarcerated, killed, disintegrated, or perhaps they found a way to escape. A way to free themselves from this… nightmare of our own construction and return to the promised land.
Velameestra Windrunner says: How long ago was that?
Gelbin Mekkatorque says: It is… difficult to count the passage of time.
Velameestra Windrunner says: There’s no day or night cycle here?
Gelbin Mekkatorque says: We can only traverse it by our own clockwork, based upon the lifespan of an unmodified gnome and how frequently they require rest. The cycles of biology that become harder to keep track of by the day. I was a younger gnome back then, albeit one that was just as malformed as the one you see before you. I believe that it would be… at least enough for ten thousand rest cycles. They too came from the promised land, and I imagine the flow of time between these two bridges is different. This is a subject that the bronze dragons have done a great deal of research on. We have only heard of the promised land in our stories from our ancestors. But they, and you, have walked it.
Velameestra Windrunner says: Well. Then it’s fortunate that’s our next stop.
Gelbin Mekkatorque says: If there is anything you require in your stay, please do not hesitate to ask Miss Clickspring. She would be happy to pass the message along.
Velameestra Windrunner says: Your hospitality is most appreciated.
Gelbin Mekkatorque says: It is the least I can do for denizens of the promised land.
The High Tinker bid them farewell and the door to leave his chamber opened again. They stepped out, and when the door closed, Elgin took a deep breath.
Elgin Clickspring says: Thank you for being kind.
Velameestra Windrunner says: Is that uncommon?
Elgin Clickspring says: No. I simply fear that Gelbin has a tendency to see himself as a monster. As a representation of what’s wrong with our people. It’s no surprise that many outsiders that have come here are taken aback by his appearance. At the extent of what’s happened to him. What is your plan? After you speak to the bronze dragons. I doubt you are intending to stay here?
Velameestra Windrunner says: The only thing we have is to find a way out.
Elgin Clickspring says: I’m sure the bronze dragons will aid you.
Liiraluma says: More minds on the task is always good.
Unfamiliar Voice says: And if there is a way out, it’s already been found once.
They turned and saw another gnome with cherry-red hair and two google eye features.
Red-Haired Gnome says: I have a feeling that whatever Miss Proudmoore and Krasus found in Mechagon might be your answer out. And if you’re looking to get in, I might be willing to help. Kelsey Steelspark. A pleasure to meet you. Former captain of the Mechagon covert ops. I know every passage in that city almost as well as the chief architect that built it, and we’re not alone. Mekkatorque is a good man, but he started to give up. Some of us aren’t content to just survive. We want to take the battle to King Mechagon. If you’re willing to help us out, I can get you where you need to go, and whatever tech or magic they used to get out, I can guarantee you’ll find it in the deepest vaults. If you want to help, find me in the hanger. I’ll get you in contact with people that can get you information about the city.
Velameestra Windrunner says: Most appreciated.
Kelsey Steelspark says: I thought it would be. I’ll be at the workshop. Follow the sounds of construction. You’ll find it.
The gnome waved and then disappeared. Elgin smiled.
Elgin Clickspring says: Agent Steelspark is… enthusiastic, but right. Gnomekind doesn’t deserve to live in fear. And if there’s anything we can do to bring peace to this island, you have my assistance as well, humble as it may be in comparison to the former spymaster. She refused further mechanization, so she left, and sabotaged a great deal of their information on the way out. She’s helped many escape Mechagon and take refuge here. There are sympathetic minds within Mechagon. But… thank you all, once again. You’re free to move about the city. If you need to leave, simply see the security captain. He can outfit you with a device to ping us when you are ready to return. Otherwise, you may find yourselves a bit lost.
Velameestra Windrunner says: Appreciated.
The group left and then continued toward the hills that had been denoted as the Caverns of Time. Before long, they saw several bronze dragonspawn guarding what seemed to be a small cave that led beneath a large pillar. As they approached, one of the dragonspawn stepped forward.
Bronze Dragonspawn says: We’ve been waiting for you. Please allow us to escort you beneath. You’ve been given permission to speak with the Prime Consort and the acting Aspect. The caverns can be confusing.
Gilveradin Windrunner says: Because of weird time nonsense, or windy corridors.
The dragonspawn smirked.
Bronze Dragonspawn says: A bit of both.
They followed the dragonspawn into the cavern, and the dirt quickly turned into sand. There were crevices that led off the main corridor, and there seemed to be natural light, but there was none to be found. In one of the crevices was a starfield, which caused Luma to stop and stare. There were aurora borealis-like lights dancing in the sky, and there were stones floating like an asteroid built. It didn’t make any sense to be there.
Luma had an expression of child-like wonder on her face, and Teemo likewise stopped.
Teemo Manabrake says: Really something, isn’t it?
Liiraluma says: I miss this.
Teemo Manabrake says: How is that here?
She pointed. The dragonspawn shrugged.
Gilveradin Windrunner says: So is that a different time…?
Bronze Dragonspawn says: It is endless. A fragment of the Great Dark, or perhaps an illusion. This place was shaped by the Aspect when he was still trapped. There is a brother cavern on Azeroth. They were hoping to use it as an anchor to find a way out. It has failed, but it still has power in its own way. None but the Timeless One knows if this is a window to another world, or an illusion. I suppose those two things could be one and the same.
As they continued descending, they saw more off-shoot caverns of strange time-warped objects. There was unfamiliar architecture, shards of ruins and different biomes, and eventually, they came to a large antichamber. There were more bronze dragons of many different ages, resting, talking, teaching, and likewise. It had been transformed into their home.
There were fragments of buildings and trees from many different biomes, and it was dizzying and disorienting. At the center, in a wellspring of water, was a large hourglass that was hovering and slowly rotating. Up above them was an endless starfield with lights dancing overhead. The apparatus, a complex series of hourglasses, with more drakonids, dragonspawn, and dragons all around. A few wyrmlings were flying through the apparatuses, chased by a dragonspawn. None of the flying dragons went too far into the starfield, but some were resting on an asteroid.
There was a very large, ancient bronze dragon resting near the edge of the hourglass apparatus. He raised his head as they approached, a goatee of fur on his chin. His countenance softened.
Ancient Bronze Dragon says: So you are the ones who have been trapped here like the rest of us, in this time-lost world?
Velameestra Windrunner says: So it would seem.
Gilveradin Windrunner says: That would be us.
Ancient Bronze Dragon says: We have a lot to discuss. I am Anachronos. Please.
The dragon raised a claw, and the sand formed into stairs that invited them to climb. They stepped up.
Anachronos says: I will take you to where my mother awaits. She will have valuable insight.
As they stepped onto the dais, Vel looked over, and on a nearby rock, was a young whelp that was staring intently at Vel.
Bronze Dragon Whelp says: Your heartbeat is really slow, miss. Most are like a ticking clock, but yours isn’t.
Vel smirked softly.
Velameestra Windrunner says: Life is full of mysteries, isn’t it?
The whelp perked up.
Bronze Dragon Whelp says: Yeah!
It then disappeared into sand and reappeared elsewhere, near a whelp tender, where the whelp eagerly began to talk about how he found a new mystery.
Anachronos asked them if they weren’t opposed to sand, and Luma put their arm in a bag of holding. The dragon chuckled, and then they were swept away in a wave of sand. They reappeared in a beautiful oasis. There was a great bronze dragon, one even larger than the one that had brought them there. She was an elegant, slender wyrm curled in on herself, and basking in the beautiful sanctum.
Anachronos stepped forward and took his humanoid guise: he was a strikingly handsome half-troll, with sun-kissed skin and long dark brown hair in beautiful curls, and tusks with golden jewelry. He had narrow, thin eyes that bely his intelligence.
Anachronos says: Prime Consort. I brought the ones that arrived here. The ones who sought to speak with us. Any sign of father yet?
The other dragon looked up at the sky.
Bronze Dragon Prime Consort says: No. Not yet. But if I know him, he will arrive. He’ll come back again, just in the nick of time.
Anachronos says: As is his way.
Bronze Dragon Prime Consort says: As is his way.
The large dragoness turned to the group.
Bronze Dragon Prime Consort says: I do not know you. And that is a curiosity in and of itself.
She smiled and she also shifted into her visage form, which was a beautiful elven woman with tan skin and a mane of bouncing curly hair with a beautiful golden dress. She had freckles almost made of gold on her cheeks, and her body covered in gorgeous piercings.
Bronze Dragon Prime Consort says: I am Soridormi, the Prime Consort of the Aspect of the Bronze Dragonflight, or I suppose, the mother of the acting Aspect. It’s a pleasure to meet all of you. We have a lot to discuss.
She raised her hand and clapped twice. The sand around them started to shift and formed itself into a parlor with seats, cushions, tea, and anything else they could desire. There was hookah, fruits, and beverages, and beautiful crystalline water, and she gestured for the group to make themselves comfortable.
