Blood Gnomes

After decades of slavery in the mines of the Eusebian Empire, the Gnomes had grown tired of bondage. Talk of revolt was spreading. Before long, a leader arose among their ranks and his name was Wargrim Drucal. This gnomish mage had contacted a powerful spirit named Xaerdun and begged for deliverance from the Eusebian oppressors. Xaerdun did indeed give them the deliverance he asked for, but at a cost. This salvation came in the form of The Gift, a supernatural enchantment that gave Wargrim vampirism. His sorcerous power grew immensely, as did his strength and speed. He gained immortality and the abilities to turn into a bat, stop the blood of his enemies and dissolve in shadow. Yet perhaps the most important of his abilities is that which can turn others with a bite. The price is that each night, the vampires must feed on the blood of others to maintain their strength, and sunlight burns their skin. Also, their souls belong to Xaerdun the Vampire Lord, and will one day return to him.

Those gnomes who would follow Drucal became vampires and revolted, escaping the south with their newfound powers. They built a new land in the Igoran Wildlands, tiered cities underground. The high tiers house the noble elite, almost a completely vampire class, whereas the lower tiers house the common thralls. Ironically, those blood gnomes who are not strong enough to reach the high tiers are oppressed even greater than they were in Eusebia. A blood tax is paid to the Counts of the city, so that the vampires may be nourished by the corpses of their people. It is the belief of the blood gnomes that the strong will survive, and the weak will either serve the strong or perish. This is the way of the Blood Gnome Cities.

Unlike in the south where the secrets of gnomish technology have long been lost, the Blood Gnome ingenuity thrives. Machines of steam are the backbone of the civilisation and a great power in war. Perhaps even as frightening as the sinister vampires is the gnomish mastery of gunpowder.

The temples of Doomburrow and its vassal cities host worship of Xaerdun who is hailed as the savior of the gnomish people. Blood sacrifices are not uncommon.

Council
King: Wargrim Drucal

Prime Minister: Quaryn Zadimus

Grand Engineer: Polinaz Daire

Shadow Keeper: Selnoa Hecate

Grand General: Jormin Modred

High Magister: Nizyre Seiran

Ankellbahtaz Units
Gloomshroom

Knave

Boomer

Mole Knight

Artificer

Tonka

Batlord