Professor Winsby Clankercog
Chief Engineer of Gnomeregard (a.k.a. Old Singebeard)
The Chief Engineer of Gnomeregard is generally viewed as the de facto leader of the gnomes. Professor Winsby has led the Gnomes in a direction that is somewhat contrary to the pastoral heritage of the Hills. His particular fixation on incendiary chemicals often results in experiments exploding in his face, giving rise to his nickname. His contribution to the submersible invention was an explosive charge that can be affixed to an enemy vessel and detonated while remaining completely underwater the whole time. But his current fixation is on flight. The Ornithopter, as he calls it, is supposed to be his magnum opus. A combination of magical engineering and aerodynamics, it is intended to carry a gnome pilot and allow them join the fray as aerial combatants against dragons, griffins, wyverns, and the like. In its current state it absolutely does not work. Some prototypes never got off the ground, while others flailed wildly for a few seconds before crashing spectacularly. But so far sustained, powered flight eludes him. Alongside inventions like the submersible, scythe chariot, a quick loading crossbow, and various spell infused grenades, the ornithopter represents a movement away from invention for its own sake or for the betterment of society and toward militarization. Obviously external pressures have facilitated this change, but traditionalists see it as antithetical to the shared culture and traditions of the gnomes and halflings. The slow slide away from the idyllic, pastoral lifestyle that made them different, and in their own eyes special. Professor Clankercog generally claims indifference to these arguments, citing that he is inventing based on his interests, and the needs of the people, the same way his ancestors did. But one has to question if and when he will trade his lab coat and goggles for chainmail and a helmet?
Current Location
Species
Age
482
Children
Sex
Male
Height
3'1"
Weight
78 lbs
Aligned Organization
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