How do you differentiate Gnomes from Dwarves and Halflings?

[Rinulin]

I've been giving some serious thought regarding the next character that I would like to play, and I got to thinking about the Gnomes. To me, they seem to be pushed to the side by the Dwarves and the Halflings.

How would you play a Gnome? What are some of the general personality characteristics of Gnomes? How do you differentiate them from both Dwarves and Halflings (two races which, I believe, are fairly well established)?

Is there any published materials that can provide a good background?

Thanks in advance!

 

[jollyninja]

gnomes = tricky fun loving types with a knack for illusionary magic. that's what i get from them anyway. I usually play them as witty frat boys.

 

[gamecat]

I differentiate on kicking distance: Halflings seem to be naturally aeroodynamic and attracted to the goal posts, gnomes fly kinda flat, and you can't get any air with a fat dwarf. Thank You and Good Night.

 

[Randolpho]

I like to use old skool descriptions of gnomes: old and leathery looking even as adolescents, browns for hair and skin tones, tendency to get white hair early in life, big noses.

Personality wise, I let them run the gamut just like I do all other races, but in general mischevious. Sorta kenderlike, but using illusionary magic for their mischief.

 

[Lizard Lips]

I was in the same position when I started my latest campaign... what to do with Gnomes. I reread the descriptions of the three short races several times and relaized how 3E had altered them. Halflings are much more Kender like, full of wanderlust, ever eager to be on the move. Gnomes on the other hand are the agrarian homebodies, dwelling in cozy hidey holes in the rolling hills of their homelands. Sounded like Hobbits to me.

So, Halflings = Kender.
Gnomes = Hobbits.

At least, that's how I see it.

 

[Lizard Lips]

I was in the same position when I started my latest campaign... what to do with Gnomes. I reread the descriptions of the three short races several times and realized how 3E had altered them. Halflings are much more Kender like now, full of wanderlust, ever eager to be on the move. Gnomes on the other hand are the agrarian homebodies, dwelling in cozy hidey holes in the rolling hills of their homelands. Sounded like Hobbits to me.

So, Halflings = Kender.
Gnomes = Hobbits.

At least, that's how I see it.

 

[GWolf]

I know...

Read Dragon 291

 

[kengar]

There was a recent issue of "Dragon" magazine that had a cover story on Gnomes and gnome characters. I can't remember which month it was. I especially liked the article on day to day life in gnomish culture.

Gnomes are described as social pranksters. Not malicious but mischievious. They are also great engineers, alchemists and inventor types. A gnome illusionist with ranks in alchemy and some craft skills as sort of "Nutty Professor meets MacGyver" could be a lot of fun to roleplay. Just be sure to throw in enough firepower (color spray, magic missle at low levels) that the more combat-oriented members of the party don't think him useless in straight dungeon crawls.

Just my 2cp

 

[Xahn'Tyr]

I would emphasize the gnomish affinity for magic and technology to set them apart. The halflings seem fairly childish and carefree. The dwarves are dour and stolid. The gnomes are clever and inquisitive. Pranksters perhaps, but "dignified" pranksters

 

[Brown Jenkin]

There is none. Its all part of the conspiracy.