Dwarves & Gnomes

[Gez]

From the Halfling thread:

I also had trouble justifying the conceptual similarities between Dwarves and Gnomes, but I chose Dwarves, instead.

What is that conceptual similarity?

Dwarves are fighters, miners, and smiths. They often live in underground cities deep in mountains or hills. They are famous for their axes and hammers, their heavy plate armor, their taste for beer, their love of precious metals like gold or mithral, the importance they give to honor. They are organised in clans.

Gnomes are artists and erudites. They often live in woody hills or forests, in burrows just below the ground. They are famous for their ingenious contraptions, their friendship with animals, their love for gems, the importance they give to beauty, lore, and wisdom. They are organised in families.

What's the conceptual similarity? They are as similar as, say, elves and orcs -- both are fierce humanoids living in the wilderness and distrustful of the "foolish/puny non-persons", their nickname for everyone not of their race. Heck, there are much more conceptual similarities between elves and orcs than between dwarves and gnomes!

So, what's the conceptual similarity between dwarves and gnomes, because I sure don't see it.

 

[KMageau]

In my honest opinion, Gnomes are a counter balance to the dwarves. One likes metal the other gems. One gives importance to honor the other to beauty.

If your campaign has dwarves you should have the gnomes to act as that counter balance. Thats my 2 cents worth.

 

[Scribble]

In my honest opinion, Gnomes are a counter balance to the dwarves. One likes metal the other gems. One gives importance to honor the other to beauty.

Well, I agree with this for the most part. They exist together almost as a yin and yang. As if you were to take one race and break them in half.

I think all of the various demi human races are basically various traits of human beings personafied.