How do you differentiate Gnomes from Dwarves and Halflings?
- Thread starter Rinulin
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Quickbeam
Explorer
BiggusGeekus said:
Not only is this funny, but it's similar to something I've considered in the past. Heck, sometime last year (on the old boards) I even posted a tongue-in-cheek thread about the uselessness of gnomes as a D&D race since they didn't fill a particular niche, and there was little agreement on their basic characteristics.
However, when our last campaign began, I let the rest of the group decide whether I should play a gnome or halfling. The votes were 5-1 in favor of the gnome, primarily because nobody in our group has ever played one
.For my part, here's how I differentiate the smaller races:
Dwarves -- gruff, solid, combat-ready, undermountain dwellers.
Halflings -- nomadic, sneaky, carefree, and barefoot.
Gnomes -- tricky, hilldwelling, alchemist, mechanical geniuses.
Agreed, the change of +2 int to +2 con. displayed a whole new aspect about gnomes. Originally they were designed for an "intellectually superior" race, but now it seems they are geared more towards of Dwarvish stance (I guess to stress the point that Dwarves and Gnomes do have a similar heritage). It also depends on the campaign setting. If memory serves, they are considered more along the lines of "nature-lovin midgits" in RL. But in FR it was stressed that they were much more inginuitive. Halflings are typically described as "homely little humans", the whole hobbit thing. But the particular breed of the race plays an effect as well, like in FR (several types of each), which all vary. Depends on your style of play, but Gnomes are fun any way you wish to play them. Probably one of the most versatile races next to humans (halfings? naa). Dwarves are just hardy, rugged fellows with large beards. Halflings and Gnomes will vary depending on their particular breed (Gnomes smarter and larger, Halflings sneakiner and smaller).
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Gez
First Post
The races in our prehistoric setting are each tied to a particular role, given to them by a god.
Elves and Gnomes were creation of Gaia, the Earth (CN). The Gnomes to take care of her. The Elves as a toy. Thus, Gnomes are druids in this world, and Elves often makes strange dreams that send them on strange quests.
Halflings and Dwarves were creation of Ouranos, the Sky (LN). Halflings are travelers and merchants (the absence of money don't prevent the existence of trade). The greatest halfling tribes have domesticated giant eagles or giant owls for their travels. Dwarves are master smithes. They live on mountain top (not in mountain cave) and domesticate griffons. Periodically, Ouranos will grants them a gift and make a star fall (a meteorite). It is then the sacred quest of Dwarves to go to the place where the Gift has landed, and to grab the precious ore from the sky. They will then forge it into tools and weapons (Dwarves are the only race who know how the secret of metal working, and their works only with meteoritic steel).
Humans (two subrace, cro-magnon and neanderthal) were creation of Azd, the Sun (N). Azd first created the Trusk (neanderthal) to have them keep the balance between the other races (and to fight the menace of That-Which-Can't-Be, the mythological villain). They failed, so Azd created a smarter human race. But these newcomers lacked the wisdom of the Trusks, and they decided that it was the fault of the trusk everything was wrong, and started to genocide them. Disgusted, Azd decided to retire.
Finally, IIRC, the Orcs and Hobgoblins were creations of Nocte, the Moon (N) but were corrupted and turned to Evil.
Elves and Gnomes were creation of Gaia, the Earth (CN). The Gnomes to take care of her. The Elves as a toy. Thus, Gnomes are druids in this world, and Elves often makes strange dreams that send them on strange quests.
Halflings and Dwarves were creation of Ouranos, the Sky (LN). Halflings are travelers and merchants (the absence of money don't prevent the existence of trade). The greatest halfling tribes have domesticated giant eagles or giant owls for their travels. Dwarves are master smithes. They live on mountain top (not in mountain cave) and domesticate griffons. Periodically, Ouranos will grants them a gift and make a star fall (a meteorite). It is then the sacred quest of Dwarves to go to the place where the Gift has landed, and to grab the precious ore from the sky. They will then forge it into tools and weapons (Dwarves are the only race who know how the secret of metal working, and their works only with meteoritic steel).
Humans (two subrace, cro-magnon and neanderthal) were creation of Azd, the Sun (N). Azd first created the Trusk (neanderthal) to have them keep the balance between the other races (and to fight the menace of That-Which-Can't-Be, the mythological villain). They failed, so Azd created a smarter human race. But these newcomers lacked the wisdom of the Trusks, and they decided that it was the fault of the trusk everything was wrong, and started to genocide them. Disgusted, Azd decided to retire.
Finally, IIRC, the Orcs and Hobgoblins were creations of Nocte, the Moon (N) but were corrupted and turned to Evil.
Gez
First Post
Now, here comes the difficult question. Everyone knows that all midget "race" (dwarf, gnome, halfling) are in fact the same; everyone keep saying so.
But what about the medium-sized one ? How do you differentiate between elf, human and orc ? They are even more the same since you have crossbreeds.
And please, what niche does the human fill ? It has no clear stereotype. It seems these buggers can be anything. Just a grab-bag of "uh, if you don't find something else, take a human". That's a joke. Humans are completely useless. In fact, I have even removed them from my campaign world, because I couldn't find a way of putting them in the grand scheme of things.
But what about the medium-sized one ? How do you differentiate between elf, human and orc ? They are even more the same since you have crossbreeds.
And please, what niche does the human fill ? It has no clear stereotype. It seems these buggers can be anything. Just a grab-bag of "uh, if you don't find something else, take a human". That's a joke. Humans are completely useless. In fact, I have even removed them from my campaign world, because I couldn't find a way of putting them in the grand scheme of things.
Davelozzi said:
Gnomes were listed on the Monsters of Cerilia list in the first BR book. Basically left them up to DM to flesh out their use. In one campaign my Dwarf scion hired a Blooded gnome to be the court wizard. It worked out great.
I liked the Dragonlance Dwarf novels take on the subraces as the various dwarf nations. It made sense for them to work together to protect the race while still allowing major internal intrigues. I think it fit in just like the BR goblin race. In my homebrew world I am using them both this way.
rootbeergnome
First Post
Generally my dwarves are loud, boisterous and independent, and stubborn. The halflings in my campaigns are generally brave little guys, although my upcoming campaign is going to have a cowardly halfling PC. Generally gnomes in my games are full of knowledge, scholarly and old, or the younger ones are mischeviously good natured, but in the next campaign gnomes are essentially the ruling class. They have a stranglehold on trade and transportation in a world that relies on their technology and magical developments I love the short races, they are so easy to play for me.
I love the short races, they are so easy to play for me.Similar Threads
