Filash Cogfizz was never too fond of the hunting grounds in eastern Loch Modan. Granted, in Khaz Modan, the only places to hunt asides from this region would be Dun Morogh. The land was much harsher with freezing snow and fierce beasts roaming the land. An unprepared hunter would make for a tasty meal for an arctic bear if they lived long enough to find one. When stepping off the road, the cold alone may be enough to kill someone, especially when the sun sets. With the dwarves being the only real exception, only a true hunter could hunt in Dun Morogh. Filash knew that he was one of these true hunters, but when anyone saw him, they never saw a hunter.
Instead, everyone saw a gnome who should have no business as a hunter.
Filash was never ashamed to be a gnome. Never once had he thought about being a dwarf or elf. Of course, it was hard to call him a gnome. Physically, he passed the part. He was very short with most of the beasts he hunt being bigger than him. His green hair grew out from the back, reaching the bottom of his neck, yet was cut short at the front so he could see where he was aiming his rifle. He was well toned for a gnome but an average dwarf could easily surpass him.
Yet, he did not have the skill that most of his people had. Asides from his rifle, Filash was very inexperienced when it comes to the technology his people designed. He was not as intelligent or bright compared to his peers. Yet, he did not care. Most gnomes did not understand how to use a hunting rifle or how to track a wild boar with their senses. He was not like the rest of his people yet he was smart in his own way.
Filash had Olg Wildbeer to thank for that. The gnome knew Olg ever since he was a child and grew up listening to his hunting stories. Looking back on his youth, the stories the old dwarf told were now his second favorite, the first being the hunts Hemet Nesingwary writes about in his books. Still, Filash would not have asked for a better teacher than Olg. Yet, as he grew older, the dwarf stepped away from hunting and started to take up cartography. His maps focused on detailing small, beaten paths that many would overlook as a way to assist hunters across Khaz Modan. The two would work together in finding these paths: Filash did the hunting and Olg drew out the map.
Looking behind his shoulder, Filash finally saw that Olg caught up. He was a head taller than the gnome but was usually hunched over. He went bald long ago but still sported a long, gray beard. His face was wrinkled heavily, showing his age. He wore thick leather armor that Filash copied for his own clothing and carried their camping gear on his back and a rifle in his hands, although it was currently being used as a walking stick. Hunched over, the elderly dwarf started to breath heavily with his student turning to face him.
"I just need time te rest, laddie," Olg wheezed, setting himself down next to a tree. "Not that it matters much. No animals te hunt right now."
"There's no animals around because there's a bear nearby," Filash declared. "Remember what you taught me?"
"Of course I do," Olg smiled. "Yet ye know I'm not th' same dwarf anymore. Me old bones need te rest."
"Well, my bones don't need to rest," Filash crossed his arms. "If we stick around in one spot for too long, the bear might get away!"
"Well, if yer 'n such a hurry, 'en go on without me, lad," Olg told the gnome. "Ye can look after yerself. Th' same goes fer me. I'll be able te catch up with ye soon."
"By the time you catch up with me, I'll have taken that bear down," Filash grinned, starting to walk off.
"Don't ye git cocky now, lad," Olg cautioned, "If ye do, th' bear will git ye without a problem."
Filash shrugged, continuing on by himself. This was not the first time Olg gave him the same warning but it did not apply to him. Unlike the dwarf, he was young and in his prime. He was going to be careful, which was why he was certain that bear was going down. It would make for a grand story to tell Olg when the old dwarf finally caught up to the gnome.
After a few minutes of walking, Filash noticed a trail of animal footprints heading to his left. Kneeling down by it, the gnome quickly determined that it was a bear, and it was not too far away. Standing back up, he pulled out his rifle and silently followed the footprints. He took his time, wishing to catch his prey off guard but not to alert it to his presence. Shortly later, he came up upon a clearing and eyed his target.
It was a hulking beast with the darkest black fur that the gnome has ever seen before. Filash was glad that it had yet to realize that he was here, its back turned to him while it walked away from him.. Aiming his rifle towards the bear, he realized that his shot was not that great. A smart hunter would try moving around the bear in a wide radius to find a better shot. Yet, Filash grinned, considering himself smarter than most hunters. He whistled loudly in an attempt to catch the bear's attention. It worked with the lumbering beast now turning towards the hunter.
When its side was facing him, the gnome pulled the trigger.
The bullet flew true, striking the bear. The beast collapsed onto the ground, unmoving. Filash made his way towards his bounty, not wasting any time. As far as he was concerned, his prey was now finished. Standing right next to it, he looked down upon the animal, proud of his latest kill. Then, he noticed that where the bullet struck the bear was not too vital. He thought he struck the neck but it turns out he only struck its front arm.
Then, he heard the growl, and fear quickly took over his mind as he tried to make his escape.
Unfortunately, despite being wounded, the bear was quick enough to pounce on the gnome, trying to sink his teeth into flesh. Filash quickly raised his rifle, having the bear bite down on it instead of himself. Now, he had to worry about the massive beast crushing him, now starting to kick back. While doing so, he reached for his hunting knife, holstered on his belt. Pulling it out, he quickly stabbed the bear in one of its limbs. With it roaring back, the gnome rolled away, although he was forced to leave behind his rifle and knife.
The bear recovered, growling towards Filash. The gnome stood his ground, trying not to shake in his boots. He was now unarmed and faced an enraged bear. If he tried to run, the beast would catch up to him. He could try to fight back but that would only delay his death. While in thought, the bear roared again, charging towards the defenseless gnome.
Closing his eyes, Filash expected for this to be his final hunt. Then, a gunshot echoed throughout the forest and he quickly opened his eyes. The bear was right in front of him but now collapsed, blood pouring from an open wound on the side of its head. Turning his head to where the shot came from, he smiled, seeing his mentor saved the day. Olg stood proud for just a moment, remembering his past hunts. Then, he made his way towards Filash, glaring at him. The gnome then realized that he might of traded one deadly situation for a much worst one.
"Lad, what did I tell ye?" Olg asked, his voice raising.
"Not to get cocky," Filash repeated, rolling his eyes, tired of playing it safe. "Things looked bad, yes, but I had that perfectly under control."
"Did ye reload yer rifle after ye took yer first shot?" Olg continued, motioning to the discarded rifle. "Ye only git one shot with it, lad."
"Well, no," Filash admitted. "I thought the bear was dead."
"And so ye let yer guard down!" Olg criticized. "No wonder th' bear overpowered ye. And then ye stabbed th' bear."
"That was something wrong I did?" Filash asked, trying to keep up with this argument. "I was going to be mauled to death!"
"If ye had time te reach fer yer knife, ye had time te go fer th' bloody kill!" Olg shouted. "Instead, ye just pissed off th' bear."
"But-" Filash started.
"But nothin'" Olg interrupted. "Finally, anytime ye find yerself as th' hunted, ye fall down te th' ground, pretend te be dead an' pray te whatever ye believe 'n fer th' beast te leave ye be!"
"I'm sorry," Filash apologized, realizing the error of his ways.
"Lad, I know ye love th' hunt," Olg told him, calming down. "Yet, hunters don't rush into a hunt. Why else do ye think I have te watch over ye during every hunt. If it wasn't fer me, ye'd be dead lon' ago."
Filash looked down at the ground, sighing. He let his pride get the best of him and almost got himself killed. He always hated Olg's lectures, but this time, he deserved it. If it was not for the elderly dwarf, he would of been mauled to death by a bear. Without Olg, he would be dead long before today. The gnome had the instincts to be a great hunter yet his pride was his downfall. He already deemed himself a master hunter yet was just an inexperienced, young student.
"Now, th' beasts brave enough te stay around with a bear ar' probably lon' gone by now from our little fight," Olg chuckled. "I'ma take care o' th' bear so we can make some extra coin. How about ye go find ourselves a good campin' site so we can rest. Th' sun will be settin' within the hour."
"Yes, sir," Filash agreed.
"Don't call me sir again, lad," Olg reminded him. "Th' beasts don't care about rank so why should we?"
Filash nodded, heading over to grab his rifle and pulled his knife out of the bear. He flicked some of the blood off it then sheathed it. The gnome then holstered his rifle, heading away from Olg and the dead bear. He was disappointed with himself, having made no real progress with his training. He had the knowledge for hunting yet when it came to the actual hunt, he always made mistakes. Filash had a long road to take before he could become the great hunter he believed himself to be.
Author Notes: Well, Archer here with another Warcraft fanfic.
Playing WoW for several years,, I was excited for new class/race combos coming out with Cataclysm. Yet, I was very disappointed to find out that there would be gnome hunters, a combo I've been wanting for years. Yet, gnome hunters finally came into existence with Legion. To celebrate, I present to you the story of Filash Cogfizz, one of Azeroth's first gnomish hunters.
Now, I have a few things to note. Despite gnome hunters being introduced in Legion, this story takes place during Vanilla WoW, a few months before the Dark Portal opens. It is going to be very different from The Vanguard series that I shall be writing at the same time. While the Vanguard focuses on the development of many characters, this will focus mainly on the development of one character. Finally, this does take place in the same setting/timeline/universe/whatever word fits as the Vanguard does. Now, this does not mean that you need to read it at all to understand the plot; I just wanted to note that if a reader of both this story and the series ask.
For now, I plan on giving it a weekly update around Tuesdays. Although I could possibility update it more often once I finish Broken World.
Until next time!