All over Baldur’s Gate 3players will find two prominent Gnomish clans: the Iron Hands and the Gondians. Both are factions of inventors and engineers, whose creativity spurs them to make increasingly impressive technological advances. But they are at odds and it’s more than just a rivalry. These groups are out for blood.
Or at least the Iron Hand gnomes are. The Iron Hand gnomes can first be found in Grymforge working as slaves under the command of the Duergar Shadowflame, and are by far the most prominent group. Two important NPCs, Wulbren Bongle and Barcus Wroot, are among their ranksand has several missions for the player throughout the game. The rivalry between these groups is mostly seen from Iron Hand’s perspective, which makes it difficult to tell what the full story really is. Fortunately, in-game information can shed some light on this rivalry.
The Gnomish Clans Favor Creativity Above All
Natural competitors, but typically not to this degree
The spirit of competition between groups was not always violentand it appears that some level of competition between gnomish inventors in general is an expected part of their trade. Barcus Wroot says this, and he is not a violent character, acting as a voice for peace between groups. While the conflict between the Gondians and the Iron Hands may have begun as a simple competition for greater prestige and wealth, it has turned into something much worse.
Part of the conflict may result from the factions’ worship of different deities that inspire their creations. The Gondians follow Gond, god of crafts and blacksmithing. Gond is a morally neutral god, whose followers can invent for good or for evil. The Gondians seem to pursue technological progress without much consideration of its potential consequences.
Meanwhile, the Ironhands follow Gaerdal Ironhand. Gaerdal is considered lawful and good, but he is not inherently a god of inventors. Instead, their domain is that of the gnomish communities and the warriors who defend them. His cult is described as more militaristic and hierarchical, which could explain his followers’ animosity towards the less restrained Gondians.
One more dividing factor could be the existence of rune dust. Although the Gondians are traditionally considered its inventors, the Iron Hands in Baldur’s Gate 3 they claim that their ancestors created the substance and that the Gondians stole it.
The Fall of the Iron Hands
A mistake that cost the gnomes their reputation
Despite its supposed moral superiority, it seems the Iron Hand gnomes were scrutinized decades ago when they decided to ally with Sarevok Anchev. The crime lord Bhaalspawn inflicted pain on the entire city with his plans of death and domination, and according to Wulbren Bongle, the Iron Hands of the time helped him gain power. It is possible that they helped build his Iron Throne, which sank into the bay when he was defeated.
After Sarevok “died,” the Iron Hand gnomes were exiled from the city and the Gondians quickly gained power. Their House of Wonders in the upper city is considered an immensely powerful center of creativity at the time of the story, and the absence of the Iron Hand likely allowed the Gondians to form a monopoly over engineering work at Baldur’s Gate. About that, the Iron Hands fled to the Underdark, struggling to survive in that hostile place and accumulating resentment towards the gnomes who now held their former power.
How the Gondians rose to prominence
These gnomes flew too close to the sun
While the Ironhands were hiding underground, the Gondians seized power above. They began to perform engineering marvels that immensely advanced the technological state of Faerun. The influence of the Gondians can be seen throughout the game, from the cranes that build the city’s docks to many of the metal ingots in circulation, which are inscribed with their sigil.
Over time, the Gondians became increasingly ambitious and eventually decided to create machines to act as constructed guards and mechanical armor. They would be called Self-guards, and they looked like great metal warriors operated from within by a gnomish pilot. Their intention was to help protect Baldur’s Gate, but when a Banite named Gortash discovered the Gondian plans, he took over and completely changed the project.
The current state of this bloody dispute
Players can choose which faction comes out on top
The Gondians may still appear to be in power within Baldur’s Gatebut at the time the story takes place, they are nothing more than Enver Gortash’s hostages. He has kidnapped many of his guild members and holds them prisoner, forcing the others to wear “kill collars” and work for him in the lower city’s foundry. They are forced to build Steel Watchers, twisted versions of the Self-Guards that are filled with a zombie corpse and remotely controlled by a tadpole brain.
The current Gondian leader, Zanner Toobin, has become blind and is unable to find a way to free his people. However, in the Underdark, the Iron Hands don’t know all this. Now led by Wulbren Bongle, they plan to rediscover rune gunpowder and use it to blow up the Gondians and their Steel Watchers.. They see the Gondians as hypocrites for supporting Gortash, who they consider to be as evil as Sarevok, and want to eliminate them completely.
That’s where the player comes in. From freeing the Iron Hand’s captives in Grymforge, to blowing up the Steel Watch FoundryIt’s up to the player to decide which faction comes out on top. They can side with the vengeful Wulbren, help the tortured Zanner Toobin, or perhaps find another path all together. There are those among the gnomes who still desire peace, and listening to their voices can lead to the most positive outcome in the world. Baldur’s Gate 3.