The Tielfling and The Gnome: On the Set of 4th edition

Mad Mac · Dec 20, 2007

I think that was pretty not-funny and mean on WotC's part. It was deliberately antagonistic towards Gnomes, even though an established part of their customer/ player base likes Gnomes. I mean, it's one thing to make the business decision to not include them in the PHB, but why kick them while they're down?

I'm just not seeing that. If anything, the gnome stole the show. I mean, I like gnomes, and I thought it was funny. If the designers really hated gnomes, they would just ignore them, not give one a starring role in a flash cartoon.

I dunno, it's just my thought. I've always been fond of Gnomes, but the constant griping and taking offense by gnome fans both on this board and the Wizards boards has really worn on my nerves over the last year or so, and I'm getting tired of it.

It's never a good sign when you can't have a sense of humour about a fantasy race, imo.

Regarding the video: I liked the tiefling, even though the horns still bug me. The gnome was amusing, but a lot closer to how I've always envisioned goblins.

It was the accent (inconsistant as it was) that really sold me on the Tiefling. I really want to play a Tiefling named Natasha all of a sudden...

Rechan · Dec 20, 2007

Mad Mac said:
It's never a good sign when you can't have a sense of humour about a fantasy race, imo.

Especially a fantasy race built on a sense of humor and whimsy.

Irda Ranger · Dec 20, 2007

Mad Mac said:
It's never a good sign when you can't have a sense of humour about a fantasy race, imo.

It just seemed like they made him ridiculous and slightly retarded sounding. It's funny when it's one person (like half of Steve Martin's movies, which are hilarious), but it seems derogatory when they make the "guy who represents the race as a whole" to be like that. It seemed like the fantasy-race equivalent of blackface acting.

Mind you, I'm not a Gnome fan. I've never included them in homebrew worlds, ever played a Gnome, or ever had a PC ask to play a Gnome. My reaction is just "my reaction" to observing the cartoon as presented.

It probably doesn't help that I thought the Tiefling was evil and a bitch, and I wanted to righteously kick her ass. Especially for kicking the badger. If there was "a monster" in that skit, it was her, not the Gnome.

Irda Ranger · Dec 20, 2007

Rechan said:
Especially a fantasy race built on a sense of humor and whimsy.

I never laugh when the joke is predicated on someone else's pain. It's called empathy.

A'koss · Dec 20, 2007

They gotta keep doing these.

The tiefling toe-punting that badger off the tower was priceless. The only thing that could have improved it was it making a squeeky-toy noise as it bounced off the wall.

And c'mon, the gnome was hilarious, they're gnomes. Gnomes!

"Whose my minion?! Whose my minion?! You are!"

Wormwood · Dec 20, 2007

That was actually funny---and I usually hate gaming humor.

Rechan · Dec 20, 2007

Irda Ranger said:
I never laugh when the joke is predicated on someone else's pain. It's called empathy.

Then you're missing out on about 60% of humor.

I mean, c'mon. Tinker gnomes saying "Oops" and blowing themselves up is their shtick.

I don't call "feeling a cartoon's pain" Empathy.