No no Reynard. I think the pro-noble savage orc, with their proud Klingon honor culture, could make a good core race. Orcs, tieflings and of course, Mindflayers. Gnomes can be the new orc. Tribes of flesh eating gnomes attacking farmers. The adventures write themselves.
An evil wizard and his foul evil gnome bodyguards attack and take over the king's magic tower. You are hired to re-take the tower!
5 player group consists of an Orc cleric, wise in way of noble savagery and very spiritual, good with kids too (like all orcs in D&D). Blood'devil, the chaotic good tielfling rogue. Mindflayer warlord! Human barbarian (cause humans are the real savages), and a eldarin warlock, a fey warlock. The orc and eldarin are dating (the orc insisted since Grummish and Corellon are now in a relationship). D&D!!! Let's grab our dice and roll to diplomacy!