Gnomes - Where will they appear first?

[amethal]

My understanding is that Eberron isn't losing a dragonmark, and the implication is that they aren't just going to take the gnome dragonmark and give it to (say) tieflings.

They also want people to be able to continue existing Eberron camapaigns in 4th edition more or less as soon as it comes out, rather than waiting for the Eberron setting book in 2009.

On the basis of that, gnomes have to be in the monster manual (as a playable race) even if they aren't in the PHB.

However, I've been wrong before!

 

[Lurks-no-More]

But what if you run a Dragonlance campaign and don't want to buy the FR campaign book just to get gnome stats?

Then you use the gnomes in the Dragonlance campaign book, or draw upon the MM, where the "PC-able" races will undoubtedly be discussed.

 

[Zander]

Hopefully Players Handbook I.

I agree as long as 4E gnomes are closer to the gnomes of folklore and fantasy, not some largely new race as they were in 3E.

Failing that, there will be a truncated "Gnomes as Player Characters" write-up in Monster Manual I, with a full write-up likely in Player's Handbook II.

That would be my guess as the most likely books where 4E gnomes will appear.

 

[drothgery]

My guess is that however much the original poster dislikes the idea, the first appearance of complete PC gnome mechanics will be online at D&D Insider shortly after PH1 ships, though I'd bet it's a free article. And that any Eberron races not in PH1 will be published the same way, and at about the same time. Though I expect they'll be reprinted in the approriate setting books and PH2.

 

[Glyfair]

My guess is that however much the original poster dislikes the idea, the first appearance of complete PC gnome mechanics will be online at D&D Insider shortly after PH1 ships, though I'd bet it's a free article.

According to the Inquest Article that unveiled the "missing race" issue:

Slavicsek promises that any beloved races cut from the core books will appear in early Fourth Edition expansions.

Gnomes have come out as the "missing race" in later discussions, though I don't think WotC has directly confirmed that they will not be in the PHB I. (There were some comments that it was brought out in a GenCon seminar, but the reports seem to say it was implied, not stated).

 

[Howndawg]

What I want to know about 4th edition is this. Which print product will have gnomes in it? Don't mention the Digital Initiative, because that is not an option for me.

Edit - Rather, it is an option, but is one I've rejected.

Methinks they will do a book called "Tomes and Gnomes"

Actually, I'd lay odds on them doing splatbooks for arcane, divine, and martial characters. I'd hazard a guess that the arcane book will have rules for arcane themed races like gnomes alongside arcane classes like the bard and the swordmage.

Howndawg

 

[Thunderfoot]

Best holiday-themed Dragon Magazine cartoon ever. A troll is stirring a pot of sauce, evidently preparing to pour it over the trussed-up gnome on the table, and singing softly to himself ...

"Oh, there's no race like gnome for the hollandaise ..."

Well, I liked it!

I still use that one...
along with its derivative,
Q: Why is a butter/egg sauce better in Alaska?
A: Because there's no place like Nome for the hollandaise.

 

[Thunderfoot]

I just hope they are in the PHB and the 1/2 orc is the odd man out.

Otherwise I'm going to have a very pissed-off player.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Methinks they will do a book called "Tomes and Gnomes"

Actually, I'd lay odds on them doing splatbooks for arcane, divine, and martial characters. I'd hazard a guess that the arcane book will have rules for arcane themed races like gnomes alongside arcane classes like the bard and the swordmage.

The Israeli leak the first day confirmed martial and arcane splatbooks for 2008, along with a dragon book.