Campaign Settings and DM Strictures, the POLL

[jasper]

I totally found the Dragonlance was responsible for everyone thinking gnomes = tinkers.

 

[Zeromaru X]

I totally found the Dragonlance was responsible for everyone thinking gnomes = tinkers.

I'd argue that it was Warcraft, but perhaps Warcraft took their approach from Dragonlance.

 

[Bacon Bits]

I'd argue that it was Warcraft, but perhaps Warcraft took their approach from Dragonlance.

That seems likely. Gnomes are presented as tinker gnomes going all the way back to Dragonlance Chronicles in 1984. Warcraft actually toned them down quite a bit, comparatively. Like many of Krynn's races, they make for great narratives but generally pretty difficult in game due to the quirks that made up Dragonlance humor not translating well to the game. Gnomes, Kender, and Gully Dwarves are all interesting to read about, but just awful to play with just like Dragonlance Draconians are terrible to fight in game due to weapon lock. Good narrative choices making for bad mechanical results.

 

[Mercule]

I totally found the Dragonlance was responsible for everyone thinking gnomes = tinkers.

This. I didn't really mind gnomes as tinkers in DL, but I've had a standing rule for roughly 25 years that gnomes in any other setting spontaneously atomize if they start playing with tech, especially tech that fails for comic effect. If you want to play a gnome, you cast illusions, talk to squirrels, and play practical jokes. Unless it's Eberron. In Eberron, gnomes are creepy little Stazi informers with a monopoly on the phone company.

 

[Tallifer]

I love Gnomes. They feature in almost every part of my worlds.