A City Forsaken
Across the Thundering Steps, through the Grinding Gates, all beneath the Whirring Peaks lies a city forsaken by its people. Archelm Hold was once an advanced city hidden in solitude away from dwellers of the surface. Created by gnome kind, this city was a sanctuary for them to further their research and develop new technology. However, during their quest for innovation, they lost sight of their true goals. They created constructs of war that could devastate armies without remorse. Planning to wage war on the surface world, their scheme was eventually quashed when they lost control of their creations. Forced to flee or perish, they fled from Archelm. These mechagnomes rejoined their kind above ground. Learning from their mistakes they now work with others to forge a brighter future for all.
Gift of the Gyrocore
Archelm’s downfall was sparked by the gift of the gyrocore from a being known as the Overseer. Gyrocores are the epitome of magic and engineering combined into a single device. These rare items can absorb moisture from their environment and heat it to produce steam. These apparatuses are simple in function but complex in design. Far too intricate and mystical to be crafted by the gnomes alone. The gyrocores were gifted by the Overseer and enabled the inhabitants of Archelm to create the constructs that eventually led to their ruin. The gyrocores acted as a power source for these constructs. Enabling them to be steampowered, by steadily pulling moisture from the air around them to generate steam. A limited number of gyrocores were created by the Overseer. Many of which still exist inside the constructs that operate within Archelm Hold.
A Watchful Eye
The Overseer is a highly intelligent construct, said to have traveled from another plane of existence. This planar being is primarily mechanical but is thought to have organic origins. There is, of course, no proof of this theory. The Overseer comes from a place far more technologically advanced than the Material Plane. It was chosen by a higher power to foster the mechagnomes intelligence and technological advancement. However, the Overseer and its master’s motives for this are a mystery. The mechagnomes are not spiritual people, however, they viewed the Overseer as a celestial being. Its existence was the pinnacle of engineering and something they only dreamed to one day be able to replicate. The Overseer possesses a vast amount of knowledge on subjects still beyond the mechagnomes understanding. Additionally, upon the Overseer’s arrival to Archelm, it gifted the mechagnomes hundreds of gyrocores. Allowing them to build a new generation of constructs under the guidance of the Overseer, powered by the gyrocores.