whatisitgoodfor
First Post
Forgive me if I'm misunderstanding you, but here is what I think you are trying to say: "Two creatures with the same carrying capacity, but different sizes, shouldn't have this large of a discrepancy in damage dealing capacity."
The flaw in your example is that you have an extrordinary gnome and an (almost) average human. The gnome is comfortable carrying the same amount as the human simply because he is a rediculously strong member of his race.
You are trying to compare a three foot tall bundle of muscle and a six foot tall pile of trash (well, maybe not that bad). Imagine trying to say that a Lumber Jack who can hold a 10 pound axe out by the tip of its handle and a 90 pound weakling who has to hold the axe at its center should both be able to deal the same amount of damage by swinging the axe. Just because both can hold up the same load, the axe, isn't the entire picture. By doing the same thing and working against leverage, the gnome demonstrates a much greater relative strength.
Also, the gnome is holding the sword with two hands, and the human is holding it with one. For an apropriate comparison, you would have to use a weapon that they could both wield in the same manner, either holding the short sword in one hand or a long sword in two.
After doing all of this, what you will probably find is that the gnome will do a point or two less damage, be slightly harder to hit, and be equivalently equipped (with a small, medium, and large weapon, and armor), with the same degree of encumbrance.
