D&D General Why Do People Hate Gnomes?

[Argyle King]

How would you classify the Keebler Elves?

That's a good question. They have some similarities to the elves from Disenchantment, but they still come across a little more elfy. I think it could go either way.

There is some fault in my view of Disenchantment anyway because that world does have its own version of gnomes.

 

[MGibster]

That's a good question. They have some similarities to the elves from Disenchantment, but they still come across a little more elfy. I think it could go either way.

What makes one more elfy or more gnomey than the other? Maybe I need @Whizbang Dustyboots to answer that question as our resident gnome expert.

 

[Argyle King]

What makes one more elfy or more gnomey than the other? Maybe I need @Whizbang Dustyboots to answer that question as our resident gnome expert.

Keebler Elves do have the hats, so that tends toward gnome-hood.

Their skill with confectionery also aligns with the "elves" in Disenchantment.

I think it may be the familiarity with humans and slight touch of Appalachia-adjacent culture that seems a bit off to me.

Though, that could be explained by being an isolated family that lives away from the homeland.

 

[jmartkdr2]

What makes one more elfy or more gnomey than the other?

Height.

Actually , the difference in feel is, I think, akin to a sense of high-born-ness. DnD elves, borrowing from the Tolkien tradition, are proud and noble and haughty and pure and such. Posh, at least. They should feel unapproachable to a commoner, something rare and beautiful and mythic, even when it's just an elven janitor.

Sure, you might get over it if you interact with elves often, but their initial impression is pretty intense.

Gnomes are silly and whimsical and jolly - very approachable. Your kids want to run up to them, and you're not worried about that. They're not regular guys, but they're charming and nonthreatening.

Sure, if you've ever seen them get angry (or just lose sight of the potential consequences of their actions) you know they can be very dangerous - as dangerous as elves - but the first impression isn't intimidating at all.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Keebler "elves" are gnomes with internalized gnomophobia. It's a whole sad thing.

In contrast, Santa's the one who calls his gnomes "elves" -- "they like being called that!" -- and he's too politically powerful for them to do anything about it.

 

[Mistwell]

People hate gnomes because those haters are bad people with damaged souls

 

[see]

People hate gnomes because they're bad people with damaged souls

The antecedent of the pronoun is unclear there. Do you mean the haters are the bad people with damaged souls, or that the gnomes are the bad people with damaged souls?

 

[MichaelSomething]

The antecedent of the pronoun is unclear there. Do you mean the haters are the bad people with damaged souls, or that the gnomes are the bad people with damaged souls?

Yes

 

[Mistwell]

The antecedent of the pronoun is unclear there. Do you mean the haters are the bad people with damaged souls, or that the gnomes are the bad people with damaged souls?

Fair point. It's the haters I am referring to.

 

[CreamCloud0]

Actually , the difference in feel is, I think, akin to a sense of high-born-ness. DnD elves, borrowing from the Tolkien tradition, are proud and noble and haughty and pure and such. Posh, at least. They should feel unapproachable to a commoner, something rare and beautiful and mythic, even when it's just an elven janitor.

Sure, you might get over it if you interact with elves often, but their initial impression is pretty intense.

although, when's the last time anyone actually got even vaguely that kind of reaction when any elves were introduced in a game? ironically for something that is based around being a revered icon of nobleness and grandure they're quite treated as an old rag nowadays: common and outdated.