Photos of the new Gnome (PHB2)

[Nivenus]

Is it me or am I the only one that things the new 4e gnome looks pretty darn similar to the ol' 3e one (can't speak for earlier editions - ne'er played 'em).

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/MM35_gallery/MM35_PG131.jpg
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/re_Gimble72.jpg

I mean... sure, there are differences. But neither of them look bald, wrinkly, with a big, bushy beard. I haven't seen gnomes like that in D&D since... well... as far as I can remember. Must be showing my age.

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

Where's his beard?

He's a depilation fetishist.

 

[Rechan]

The only reason folks are calling them "Mini-elves" is because they have pointy ears.

Don't most art depictions of fey have pointy ears? Pixies, brownies, sprites, sylphs, etc? Looking at the 3e MM, nymphs have pointy ears, as do satyr, and the sprites.

Honestly, the 4e gnomes look more shaggy and mussy. Like someone put pointy ears on Wolverine. Muttin-chops and such. I also can't recall ever seeing an elf with short hair; the gnomes have "pixie" haircuts.

Everything in the Feywild speaks elven. Satyrs in the MM speak elven. As do Dryads, as do Fomorians.

 

[Scribble]

Everything in the Feywild speaks elven. Satyrs in the MM speak elven. As do Dryads, as do Fomorians.

Yeah I get the impression Elven is the "Common" of the feywild.

 

[ferratus]

I think it is right and proper to but a beard on a gnome. Not a long hairy tangled or braided monster like a dwarven beard, but a soft short beard. It would help distinguish them from elves because aside from height they both inhabit the magical elf creature archetype.

In fact, gnomes should in general look a little soft looking, rather than the skinny little guy trying to be tough. They are based around being master illusionists with secrets and secret wealth anyway, so a magically hidden warren with gold and gems in the tunnels and a pastoral existence works quite well.

In other words, they can steal the flavour text of the hobbits without the problem of hobbits being sedentry trademark infringements. Their trickster personalities and sense of humour gives them plenty of reason to explore the world beyond their warrens. It would combine the best features of forest gnomes, kender, and halflings into one small race.

Then we can chuck the halflings who have become watered down boring mini-humans and we can make room for a more interesting demihuman race.

 

[Wormwood]

Then we can chuck the halflings who have become watered down boring mini-humans and we can make room for a more interesting demihuman race.

Now this I could support.

Easily the most boring race in the PHB.

 

[Klaus]

The only reason folks are calling them "Mini-elves" is because they have pointy ears.

Don't most art depictions of fey have pointy ears? Pixies, brownies, sprites, sylphs, etc? Looking at the 3e MM, nymphs have pointy ears, as do satyr, and the sprites.

Honestly, the 4e gnomes look more shaggy and mussy. Like someone put pointy ears on Wolverine. Muttin-chops and such. I also can't recall ever seeing an elf with short hair; the gnomes have "pixie" haircuts.

Everything in the Feywild speaks elven. Satyrs in the MM speak elven. As do Dryads, as do Fomorians.

You didn't read the pages, I'd reckon.

Apart from their size, they resemble elves or eladrins, with pointed ears and chiseled facial features such as high cheekbones and sharp jaws.

The only differing features are the crazy hair, the black eyes and the skin tone. But the artist used the default Causcasian skin tone, instead of the brown or gray of the description.

 

[Hella_Tellah]

Gnomes look like [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAphcvZaS8I"]this[/ame].

Whizzbang, was it you who made the comparison of gnomes to the rabbits in Watership Down? It's an absolutely inspired way of looking at gnomes, and what I've been using ever since.

 

[Rechan]

The only differing features are the crazy hair, the black eyes and the skin tone. But the artist used the default Causcasian skin tone, instead of the brown or gray of the description.

So, let me ask:

How do pixies, sylphs, brownies, sprites, and other such faeries differ from elves aside from size and (obviously) wings?

 

[ferratus]

So, let me ask:

How do pixies, sylphs, brownies, sprites, and other such faeries differ from elves aside from size and (obviously) wings?

They differ by not being PC races. If there were brownies as a race in the PHB2 we'd be asking how they differ from gnomes.