Ak'ten and Pete are gnomes from two very different cultures. Ak'ten is what Pete's people refer to as an Old World Gnome, regarded as a pagan and not to be trusted. Pete is what Ak'ten's people refer to as a Techgnome, regarded as a heretic and not to be trusted. When the two gnomes' guardians find out that they have met, both are forbidden to see each other ever again. But young gnomes are curious by nature, and Pete and Ak'ten especially are somewhat difficult to control.