D&D 4E Background Suggestion for the Gnome in 4e

[Najo]

I was inspired by the recent pictures in the on the set cartoon and reading the Wizards Presents: Races and Classes. I thought I would share the direction I think WOTC should take the gnome.

I think gnomes should become fey, like the elves have. Give them the sort of "alien" appearance you have given them (black, pupiless eyes, unnatural skin tones, unusual and disturbing features). Then allow them to become one of the main faerie type creatures that make their homes between the real world and the feywild. They can be a lesser social class to the Elves and Eladrins, used as spies and servants originally. Many gnomes then broke off from their masters long ago and went into hiding. Using their glamours and natural illusion magics to hide themselves and their homes. Some gnomes were afraid to rebel, while some remain fiercely loyal to their Eldarin and elven masters.

Gnomes could play the role of selfish, alien fey who make their homes in tunnels, barrows and the traditional faerie rings that lead to dimensional pockets and lairs that are covered in illusions. Gnomes like to decieve and trick others, seeming to be something they are not. They enjoy complex tricks and puzzles (the mad tinker idea, but through social schemes instead of making inventions). They also have a knack with mechanical things and enjoy creating devices and traps to guard their lairs. The more selfish and evil gnomes lure common folk away or kidnap babies and children or lure wayward travellers into traps to have their way with them.

Corrupt and evil gnomes could even eat babies or replace them with their own illusion covered agents as spies. They could have human slaves that they charm or change with their appearance with glamors. Generally, the evil gnomes could be more akin to unseelie fey.

This would give gnomes a new role, both as PC and monster. It would tie them into the background that 4e is creating and allow the gnome to embrace the illusions & charm type fey magic that is their traditional niche and some mechanical talents (traps) without becoming tinker gnomes (of WOW), all while refocusing the gnome into a new ally or enemy depending on how it is presented.

 

[Hussar]

OTOH, there are any number of faerie creatures that already fit this role.

Personally, I want gnomes to go the steampunk route. Krynn gnomes weren't steampunk, they were a running joke. But, make them actual artificers and alchemist, spurning both arcane and divine magic in the search for a third solution. We have decent mechanics for artificers from Eberron and there are any number of sources that allow steampunk to work in mainstream D&D.

That's my take anyway.

 

[Rechan]

Personally, I want gnomes to go the steampunk route.

Except that you run the problem of alienating every person who doesn't want technology in their D&D.

 

[RPG_Tweaker]

Without the elf servant thing, you pretty much described my goblins.

I really prefer something more akin to Whizbang Dustyboots' rabbit-gnomes. Maybe with a sprinkle more tinker, and a pinch more dark... but most definitely not cannibals and baby-abductors.

 

[Dragonhelm]

Krynn gnomes weren't steampunk, they were a running joke.

Luckily, Races of Ansalon does away with that myth.

Say what you will about the tinker gnome, it at least is a solid racial identity. So much so in fact that it has been adopted for various other settings, including Spelljammer, World of Warcraft, and d20 Modern (amongst others).

While I find the original poster's write-up to be good (though perhaps a little too fey-heavy), I find that the tinker gnome identity works just fine for me. One's mileage may vary, of course.

 

[Najo]

Without the elf servant thing, you pretty much described my goblins.

I really prefer something more akin to Whizbang Dustyboots' rabbit-gnomes. Maybe with a sprinkle more tinker, and a pinch more dark... but most definitely not cannibals and baby-abductors.

Only the corrupted by evil forces gnomes would be cannibals and baby abductors

 

[Irda Ranger]

I've never been totally satisfied with any D&D Gnome variant, but of them all I like Whizbang's Unified Theory the best. The 4E Gnome is "meh". I may leave it as is out of any real interest in making it better, but it certainly doesn't grab me. If Gnomes (for some reason I cannot foresee at this time) ever become important to the campaign I'll probably incorporate as much of the Unified Theory as I can.

 

[Dormammu]

This is similar to how I run Gnomes. My Gnomes are Fey who have left the realm of Faerie to live in the mortal world. They are basically the same race as Goblins as well. They are just the good/evil pairing (cf. elves and Drow). I prefer my Gnomes to look more Goblin-like: little or no hair, scraggly, long and pointy ears (droopy on Gobs, more erect on Gnomes).

But then I don't run elves as even remotely Fey, so there's no crowding of the Fey concept there. I prefer elves as self-righteous bastages who have contempt for everyone else.

 

[shilsen]

I run Eberron and I love the way gnomes are portrayed there. That's way more scary than any of the "gnomes as evil fey" ideas I've heard thus far. My PCs are willing to take on dragons and mind flayers and rakshasas, but they absolutely refuse to go up against a gnome