User:Hurax/Gnome Priests

Gnome Priests
Gnome priests are a very new developement, as the gnomish race did not have any priests until the destruction of Gnomeregan. This was puzzling to many, as their small physical stature but very high intelligence would very much fit that class. And who would heal a group of gnomes in a battle? The answer lies in the gnomish mindset. Gnomes are proud of their rationalist culture, in which engineering is the most respected profession. They have a high affection towards arcane magic, many gnomes studied in Dalaran and other academies of high elven and human mages. With scientific methods gnomes study all kinds of magic, including warlock magics. But the mindset of the priests, the seemingly irrational faith and devotion, were alien to them. They had their medics in Gnomeregan, versed in bandages and alchemic healing potions; and since they never started battles but for the call of their dwarven allies, the dwarven priests took care of that issue.

But then, the great disaster came. Gnomeregan was invaded by the troggs, who were aided by the traitor Mekkatorque. In their desperate attempt at defense, the gnomes poisoned and irradiated their city. Those that could flee were now homeless, scattered among the dwarven and human lands, most of them took refuge in Ironforge. Those that stayed near Gnomeregan lost both health and sanity, dubbed the "leper gnomes". Years passed, the Third War was won by the mortal races, and once an Alliance expedition managed to defeat both troggs and Mekkatorque's forces. But that was if little help to the gnomish race. Gnomeregan remained a poisoned place, the radiation affecting anyone who tried to repopulate the underground city, and all efforts of engineers to cleanse the city failed. No cure could be found for the leper gnomes, the only ones who seemed unaffected by the radiation were the stone-bodied troggs, coming from deep beneath the surface they quickly moved back into Gnomeregan's corridors.

Then, slowly at first, a change began in the gnomish exile society in Ironforge. The maladies of their leper gnome brothers were a growing concern. Neither simple medicine, nor engineering or magic showed any results, and the dwarven priests could not heal them either.