He seems to take minimal offense to that question. Given how much the others have been prodding him, he doubts they have gnomes here. If they did have, this whole thing would be tidier and less cruelly haphazard. "A gnome. A deep gnome, specifically, out of the Underdark. I think they were looking for something with a more threatening profile."

Like the automatons he was working on dismantling. Which he will not be mentioning any time soon.

"Alas, I'm a mere mechanic, so they'll have to get used to disappointment."

In contrast to his reaction to the question about what he is, he seems incredulous about this latter one: "Oh don't tell me you lot haven't heard of such a thing as a cat flap! You seem to be reasonably technically advanced, I'm sure one of you could invent it, given proper tools."

"... although, I'm not overly impressed by your approach. Plenty of military discipline, no intellectual discipline." He waves a hand apologetically. "Not you personally. The whole cabal or whatever this is."

"I assume they're working out how to use me for parts." And this man is the muscle, whether he likes it or not. "But cults tend not to breed innovation. Sooner or later they'll trip over their own stupid hive-mind."

He hesitates a moment, then answers, "A friend of mine. Thulla is, I mean. My second chief, of my laborer's guild."