Many thanks to Raincloud That Doesn't Rain for the donation. Jiaoshou was deeply grateful.
The throne room was an immense chamber built from marble and other stone, with a soaring vaulted ceiling. An octagonal window at its center provided ample natural light. Torches blazed in sconces along the walls, filling the chamber with warmth and an orange glow. A bright carpet covered the floor, where an intricate series of interlocking circular patterns had once surrounded the emblem of Lordaeron. Now that Gilneas had taken control, those decorations had naturally been removed.
King Genn sat on the jewel-encrusted throne atop the dais, his face expressionless. Framed by the surrounding firelight, he radiated an authority that seemed to come from his very bones.
There were few people in the hall, but every one of them was a key figure in Gilneas. They had gathered to receive High Tinker Mekkatorque, leader of the gnomes. Yet Rex could see no trace of a leader's bearing in the High Tinker, who stood only half his height. Mekkatorque seemed more like an inventor than a leader, his eyes brimming with interest as he examined everything around him.
"Your Majesty, my people are under attack. They are fighting to protect their home, and I hope you will help us." High Tinker Mekkatorque dispensed with pleasantries. Upon meeting King Genn, he stepped forward on his short legs and stated the purpose of his visit.
"What sort of enemy are you facing?" King Genn asked.
Gnomish cities, like dwarven cities, were somewhat ill-suited to humans. Ironforge was tolerable. Trade brought plenty of humans there, and a number of buildings had been constructed specifically for them. The gnomish city of Gnomeregan, however, was rather more mysterious. It was not that humans had never visited, but they always left soon afterward.