Photos of the new Gnome (PHB2)

[JackSmithIV]

Gnomes need more. Halfling, elven and dwarven culture are something most of us are familiar with. We know how they govern themselves, their family structures, their architecture. Gnomes are pranksters who like illusions and gems. Eh? So what? This is simply not adequate, gnomes have never been fleshed out half as well as the other races have. Heck I feel I know dragonborn better than them.

I find the new description of gnomes to be quite sufficient. And I find them unique. Sure, people can call them mini-elves, but they still have many distinct characteristics. They're not just "pranksters who like illusions and gems". If anything, that's what they were in 3rd Edition. Now, they have the few background working heavily in their favor, a post-slavery subtlety that lends to their suspicious nature.

Among other reasons I like the new gnome, every thing seems to be not only unique, but justified. In 3rd, I felt like gnomes were just halfings with ghost sound. They're so much more likable, playing, and interesting than they used to be. They have character, and that's what I want in my game.

And also, I guess I was never really "in-on" that running joke that the absurdity of gnomes. I always hear people going "LOL GNOMES", but I never see what's so funny. Aside from gnomes in World of Warcraft, I don't see anything humorous about them other than maybe the name and it's associations. Especially with 4th Edition gnomes. I mean, besides the fact that they enjoy pranks, I don't even see anything humorous about them. Tortured background, paranoid nature...

...lol?

Anyway, I'm happy with the new direction. Rock on, gnomes.

 

[ProfessorCirno]

"With 4e, we're going to do something other editions haven't - we're going to give the gnomes a concrete and unique place in the setting, so they aren't just a weird variant of dwarf!"

"Yeah, we changed our minds. They're mini-elves now."

 

[JackSmithIV]

"Yeah, we changed our minds. They're mini-elves now."

But they're nothing like elves. They are from the feywild, and have pointy ears (which is everything in the feywild). Other than that, their mannerisms, background, culture, character, likes, dislikes, tenancies, and mechanics are completely different.

What is it I'm not seeing here?

 

[The Green Adam]

Seems to be a recurring problem with WotC art. 4e elves are also supposed to have darker skin tones by the text, but you'd never know it from the pictures in the books.

I think the fault isn't with the art there, its with the description. They need to describe the races in ways that depict what they are more specifically and what they look like more vaguely. Elves, Gnomes, Halflings, etc. should be able to have any skin tone humans have and then some. The GM/campaign should decide.

SilvercatMoonpaw2 - Thank you so much. I try to keep my D&D character a bit more toward traditional medieval folklore in appearence.

AD

 

[Byronic]

"With 4e, we're going to do something other editions haven't - we're going to give the gnomes a concrete and unique place in the setting, so they aren't just a weird variant of dwarf!"

"Yeah, we changed our minds. They're mini-elves now."

I've noticed this from WotC before, they have wonderful inspirational ideas but then it all goes away by the time it gets published.

 

[Klaus]

I think the fault isn't with the art there, its with the description. They need to describe the races in ways that depict what they are more specifically and what they look like more vaguely. Elves, Gnomes, Halflings, etc. should be able to have any skin tone humans have and then some. The GM/campaign should decide.

SilvercatMoonpaw2 - Thank you so much. I try to keep my D&D character a bit more toward traditional medieval folklore in appearence.

AD

They have the skin range of humans covered in the core races, with the "and then some" covered by dragonborn, tieflings and, now, gnomes. But the PHB describes eladrin as tending towards lighter skin and elves toward darker skin, and yet no artist is depicting them as anything but light beige. I think the fault here is on the Art Directors that don't mention to the artists "hey, these gnomes? make their skin tones ruddier, like wood brown or rock gray".

 

[ProfessorCirno]

But they're nothing like elves. They are from the feywild, and have pointy ears (which is everything in the feywild). Other than that, their mannerisms, background, culture, character, likes, dislikes, tenancies, and mechanics are completely different.

What is it I'm not seeing here?

Sorry, mini-Eladrin*


*Which are elves.

 

[JackSmithIV]

Sorry, mini-Eladrin*


*Which are elves.

...I thought that was assumed.

My exact words still stand. Except I suppose now I'll clarify that I'm talking about the eladrin-gnome parallel which, in my opinion, has little merit.

 

[The Green Adam]

They have the skin range of humans covered in the core races, with the "and then some" covered by dragonborn, tieflings and, now, gnomes. But the PHB describes eladrin as tending towards lighter skin and elves toward darker skin, and yet no artist is depicting them as anything but light beige. I think the fault here is on the Art Directors that don't mention to the artists "hey, these gnomes? make their skin tones ruddier, like wood brown or rock gray".

I see where you're coming from. I totally agree. Again if the descriptions were more generallized or the art direction tighter we would see a big difference in the resulting designs.

On a related side note, does anyone else wish there were two or three depictions of each race, monster, etc. by different artists scattered throughout the books instead of these 'iconic' images. The art in recent editions is so unified I think it hurts a product that is supposed adaptable by the customer. I'd rather see different peoples interpertations as it inspires me to envision my own.

AD

 

[Fallen Seraph]

On a related side note, does anyone else wish there were two or three depictions of each race, monster, etc. by different artists scattered throughout the books instead of these 'iconic' images. The art in recent editions is so unified I think it hurts a product that is supposed adaptable by the customer. I'd rather see different peoples interpertations as it inspires me to envision my own.

While I am fine with the core descriptions and the art I would like this. I think it be neat to see what artist would do when their allowed to just go wild with their imagination.