Saturday, June 7, 2008

Gnome Alone

One thing I've always felt is necessary in life is to make sure you have a backup plan. I wasn't expecting to see any of my people on my journey to wherever with the humans, but there one was. I had to act fast, and a distraction is what I needed. I don't think that wagon wheel stood a chance against a gnome with a wrench.

17 comments:

HomoDM said...

After climbing over a veritable mountain of corpses, Nibben beheld the prisoner. But this was not just any old gnome in a cage! He was Trevvalgo Ibn Gurynt, a patriarch of the Ironcog Clan and the mind behind some of the most ingenious engines of destruction ever devised. (Not that any of them had ever seen much use, as Gnomes are not a warfarish people by nature; although they would make any enemy think twice, it was their flawless design that was so remarkable.)

Many expressions flashed quickly across the old gnome’s face upon seeing another of his kind: surprise blossomed into joy which soon wilted into fear. “You mustn’t be here!” He whispered fiercely. “It isn’t safe!”

Order of the Broken Clock said...

Nibben looks around cautiously "What's not safe? Why are you a prisoner?"

HomoDM said...

Nibben looks around for traps. Finding none, he tries to pick the lock on the cage.

Trevvalgo sighs. "They never listen," he mutters quietly.

Nibben quickly realizes that this is no ordinary lock, as it doesn't even have a mechanism. To his dismay, he finds that his hands are stuck to it fast!

His little heart begins to race in his chest as the front bars of the cage merge and form into a large, slavering mouth filled with razor-sharp teeth.

Just when Nibben thinks he is about to be swallowed whole by the cage-monster, instead it shrieks: "CAPTAIN!! HAVE A LOOK AT THIS!!"

Travvalgo says quietly, "I'm sorry, my boy. But the Inquisitors put a thought bomb in my brain. I can't tell you anything without having my head explode."

HomoDM said...

Travvalgo smiles at his new companion.

"Looks like we'll be spending some time together!" He says, cheerfully.

He reaches through the bars of the cage and picks up a wooden spoon and a bowl that are sitting outside. He places the spoon in the bowl, which then fills with a thick, unappetizing gruel.

"Hungry?" He asks.

Order of the Broken Clock said...

"Yes, thank you." Nibben takes the bowl of gruel.

He then begins speaking in gnomish "Listen, only speak in our native tongue. I need you to try to explain to me what is going on."

HomoDM said...

"Well, like I said, I can't really tell you anything, unless you want my brains splattered all over you. I have an idea! Howabout you try to guess what's going on, and I'll tell you if you're wrong!"

"Feel free to have more of the gruel if you like. That spoon of theirs makes as much of it as I can stand to eat."

Order of the Broken Clock said...

"Hrm, if I had to venture a guess, I would assume this would have something to do with your tinkering aptitude?"

"And that's an amazing spoon! I'd be very fortunate to own a spoon like that."

HomoDM said...

"It's all yours if the soldiers will let you have it," Trevvalgo says, neither confirming nor denying Nibben's assumption.

Order of the Broken Clock said...

"Who says I'm asking? And you never answered my question."

HomoDM said...

"That's right, I didn't. Maybe you should ask another one."

Order of the Broken Clock said...

"Oh, right, I forgot. So, if I had to take a stab at a guess, I also imagine this is linked to other missing gnomes?"

HomoDM said...

"There are others missing?"

Order of the Broken Clock said...

"From what I've been told. You mean, you haven't seen any other gnomes?"

HomoDM said...

"You're the first I've seen in the week or so that I've been caged. Maybe there will be others where I'm going?"

Order of the Broken Clock said...

"Most likely. I'm sorry I couldn't get you out of here. Or at least given you a small chance at at escape."

HomoDM said...

"No apologies are necessary, my boy. If anything, it is I who should apologize to you for not being more direct in warning you of your peril. I also wish I could be more forthcoming as to why the humans are interested in me, so as to make your trouble worthwhile. Suffice it to say I am opposed to their reasons for seeking me out. I only hope they will find it within them to release you. If you do make it out of this, please tell my wives that I miss them and will make every effort to return to them as soon as I can."

Order of the Broken Clock said...

"Hopefully I'll find a way to free you and find the other lost ones. Do your best to hang in there!"