D&D General what is the unifying theme of gnomes?

[Steampunkette]

then why were they not just made to be the same race like the 108 types of elf?

Because when they were created there was only one kind of elf.

And then when more elves started getting put together, gnomes were already separated out and got kept that way.

shrug

 

[Mallus]

They’re halflings into magic or machines.

 

[BookTenTiger]

I think the problem of trying to find a unifying theme is that there isn't one, because D&D has never cared about having strictly defined characteristics for different races. It's just not that important that two gnomes being played at two different tables have a unifying theme, other than their mechanics. The players really get to decide if their gnome is mischievous, or industrious, or sneaky.

Mechanically, the through-line seems to be magic. Gnomes always seem to be able to cast spells, speak with animals, or create magical mechanical beings.

 

[Cadence]

They are terrible.

But less terrible than elves.

And while you think that they might share less of a common theme than elves do, I suggest finding the common denominator between the three billion, four hundred million, five hundred thousand and thirty eight varieties of elves that we currently have.*

Elves are like Baskin-Robbins ice cream- so many flavors, all of them terrible.

In comparison, gnomes are fine.


*Number are approximate, yet accurate. Search your heart- you know it to be true.

 

[bedir than]

I think the problem of trying to find a unifying theme is that there isn't one, because D&D has never cared about having strictly defined characteristics for different races. It's just not that important that two gnomes being played at two different tables have a unifying theme, other than their mechanics. The players really get to decide if their gnome is mischievous, or industrious, or sneaky.

Mechanically, the through-line seems to be magic. Gnomes always seem to be able to cast spells, speak with animals, or create magical mechanical beings.

Rock gnomes are a core race and have no magic

 

[Cadence]

I want to say "Halflings are to humans as Gnomes are to Elves+Dwarves". Sometimes it bothers me that there isn't a symmetry there (a third small race so one can go with Elves and the other goes with Dwarves), but then at others I'm annoyed by the need for symmetry.

Is it as simple as the Halflings are the non,-magical small race and Gnomes are the magical one?

As much as I love Halflings, is anything lost by having Halflings be a sup-type of Gnome? ("Gnomes that follow agragrian culture - instead of Sylvan, hill Dwarf, or tinker - are commonly called Halflings due to their unfairly being stereotyped as just small humans.")

 

[RoughCoronet0]

The only unifying theme I have seen is that they are somehow worse dwarves and worse elves at the same time, which is impressive considering some of the negative traits of both.

 

[BookTenTiger]

Rock gnomes are a core race and have no magic

I would argue that these two abilities are themed around magic:

Artificer’s Lore
Whenever you make an Intelligence (History) check related to magic items, alchemical objects, or technological devices, you can add twice your proficiency bonus, instead of any proficiency bonus you normally apply.

Tinker
You have proficiency with artisan’s tools (tinker’s tools). Using those tools, you can spend 1 hour and 10 gp worth of materials to construct a Tiny clockwork device (AC 5, 1 hp). The device ceases to function after 24 hours (unless you spend 1 hour repairing it to keep the device functioning), or when you use your action to dismantle it; at that time, you can reclaim the materials used to create it. You can have up to three such devices active at a time.

 

[bedir than]

I would argue that these two abilities are themed around magic:

Tinker certainly isn't, as clockworks are real things with no magic.

The Lore feature may be, but it seems more like an awareness than a use of magic.

 

[Mind of tempest]

I think the problem of trying to find a unifying theme is that there isn't one, because D&D has never cared about having strictly defined characteristics for different races. It's just not that important that two gnomes being played at two different tables have a unifying theme, other than their mechanics. The players really get to decide if their gnome is mischievous, or industrious, or sneaky.

Mechanically, the through-line seems to be magic. Gnomes always seem to be able to cast spells, speak with animals, or create magical mechanical beings.

it is more you think they would have some core ideas for them as they seem to be made up of left overs of the other classic demihumans?

I want to say "Halflings are to humans as Gnomes are to Elves+Dwarves". Sometimes it bothers me that there isn't a symmetry there (a third small race so one can go with Elves and the other goes with Dwarves), but then at others I'm annoyed by the need for symmetry.

Is it as simple as the Halflings are the non,-magical small race and Gnomes are the magical one?

As much as I love Halflings, is anything lost by having Halflings be a sup-type of Gnome? ("Gnomes that follow agragrian culture - instead of Sylvan, hill Dwarf, or tinker - are commonly called Halflings due to their unfairly being stereotyped as just small humans.")

you are mistaken the dwarves are the other short race who are supposed to be associated with something really big.