Loremaster,

I've a few things I think you might be interested in, namely a book that seems to mention the chosen at some point (though it's written in archaic svirfneblin, it has a few rat-head symbols in it); and an interesting little key. I'll be happy to swing by for a chat, when you have the time. I can be reached at the Crone.

Lynette

Lynette

I will gladly see this book of yours, along with whatever else you know of the chosen. I will look around for you.

Pharnos Korvath

Lass Lynette.

I have been thinking of my theory for a while, and with the lack of others to discuss some parts of it, I will now send it to you. I am thinking of sending my theory to Councilor Adelia Tyrell, after I have received your thoughts on it. Perhaps she can correct the flaws of it, but here is my theory.

The Chosen theory: The Fallen gnomes

This is my current theory of the creatures known as the Chosen. Before Sanctuary was founded as Sanctuary, the svirfneblin lived here, building what we now know as the machine. It was a society of highly effective magic and animation. However, a few gnomes did not have the gift of creation, as the others. Getting behind everyone else, they became frustrated and felt left behind by their kin. Then, the machinist know as Poirdon Lumn somehow got in touch with the gnome deity Urdlen. Either by Urdlen, or his own imagination, Poirdon felt a call to break down the automata created around him. It was the cause of all their trouble, trapping those unable to progress in time with the society. Poirdon then wrote the book called “The True Path to Happiness”, and gathered like minded gnomes to join his cause. These gnomes then started to ravage wildly, destroying automata as they portrayed their savage fury. I believe the other Svirfneblin was aware of this group, and stopped a few, if they didn’t feel pity on them and just waited for their rage to end. Whatever happened, I believe that the Urdlenites at some point found the Great Appetite, perhaps a masked Deity or their name for Urdlen. Created in his view, they became the Chosen. With their new found power, they soon drew more into their ranks as Chosen, and continued their ravaging with renewed strength. At some point, they even started to attack the Svirfneblin, who were once their kin. Here I see two paths. One where the Chosen are successful at slaying all the Svirfneblin and one where the Svirfneblin leave, unable to kill their former brothers and sisters. Arcanists of the Chosen then began to animate the killed gnomes, creating an army of undead. There should not be a lack of corpses, since the deep gnomes had been there for a long time. Surviving in the machine and the sewers, they thrived and more Chosen were made.

Know that this is only speculations as I do not know their history and merely puts a few pieces together to make a fictional portrait of their history. I do not know if the Chosen were once gnomes, but one way to find out is to dig through the old books after some notes of the Chosen. If they were here at the beginning, it would seem likely that they once were gnomes. If they came after the founding of Sanctuary, it would suggest something else, or they merely hid until they could get to know the Sancturians better.

As you see, this does not address their flying chosen, perhaps they are more developed worshipers, or chosen's chosen. I would like your thoughts on this.

Pharnos Korvath Loremaster and Elder Clan Stoutheart