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Ranak
Learned Scribe
USA
190 Posts |
 Posted - 09 May 2011 : 20:00:57
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My realms-lore is getting rusty, are there any important Gnomish characters in the Realms? Have they been the main characters in any novels or short story from the Realms anthologies?
I am curious because they do seem to be underrepresented.
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Alystra Illianniis
Great Reader
USA
3750 Posts |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 01:26:58
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Gnomes are the secret masters [and my favourite race] of the world. The novels aren't statistically representative or typical of Faerūn, but of what the books department thought would make money.
Have a look at Races of Faerūn and "Hin Nobody Knows" in DRAGON #269 to get more of a handle on what Realms gnomes are like.
In terms of notable appearances, though:-
"Speaking with the Dead" -- originally printed in Realms of Mystery and included in The Best of Elaine Cunningham.
And "Stolen Dreams" as well -- originally printed in DRAGON #259 and also included in The Best of Elaine Cunningham.
Soldiers of Ice features a gnomish community, as I recall, also.
And, of course, there are intriguing gnome characters in the CRPGs Icewind Dale and Baldur's Gate II: The Shadows of Amn. |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3746 Posts |
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Erik Scott de Bie
Forgotten Realms Author
USA
4598 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 15:51:28
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Is it weird that I saw the title of this topic and immediately thought, "well, gnomes ARE Lantan's chief export, but they probably have some difficulty placing said goods . . ."
IMO, gnomes are an often overlooked fantasy race, which may have a bit to do with their comparatively lesser representation in the seminal works (no gnomes in Tolkien, for instance)--it's just easy to forget to put them in, or make them the same as goblins (mischievous little critters that they are!).
This has little to nothing to do with the OP, but it got me thinking. I'm also currently writing a gnome in my WiP FR novel, whom I hope will come off as a good, memorable character. We'll see. 
Cheers |
Erik Scott de Bie
'Tis easier to destroy than to create.
Author of a number of Realms novels (GHOSTWALKER, DEPTHS OF MADNESS, and the SHADOWBANE series), contributor to the NEVERWINTER CAMPAIGN GUIDE and SHADOWFELL: GLOOMWROUGHT AND BEYOND, Twitch DM of the Dungeon Scrawlers, currently playing "The Westgate Irregulars" |
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Brimstone
Great Reader
USA
3290 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 15:56:18
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quote:
Originally posted by Lord Karsus
-"Jack the Gnome", an utter waste of a character, if you ask me.
I have to agree.
He reminded me the character you would meet in a Wolverine comic. Only around one issue. Gets killed. Yet knew Wolvie for years, and he would know of Wolvies past. |
"These things also I have observed: that knowledge of our world is
to be nurtured like a precious flower, for it is the most precious
thing we have. Wherefore guard the word written and heed
words unwritten and set them down ere they fade . . . Learn
then, well, the arts of reading, writing, and listening true, and they
will lead you to the greatest art of all: understanding."
Alaundo of Candlekeep |
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Chosen of Asmodeus
Master of Realmslore
1221 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 16:02:42
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I remember reading the Races and Classes book where developers discussed the changes and additions to the races for 4e. They mentioned that the problem with gnomes was one of role in the world; they didn't have one. You have haflings as your short fun loving guys, dwarves as your inventive guys, and eladrin as your magic guys. Gnomes you can put as tinkers, alchemists, or the like, but the problem with that is doing it in this day and age makes you look like you're ripping off World of Warcraft(when obviously you aren't, but perception trumps truth).
This is what tvtropes references as "planet of hats". When you have a race, group, culture, etc that is largely defined by one character trait. Elves are nature loving, eladrin(or high elves, if you prefer) are magically inclined and regal, dwarves are industrious and brave(and alcoholics), drow are evil(or they're all good renegades trying to shake off the burden of their kin's evil reputation), tieflings have the devil baggage, half-orcs are all dumb muscle.
Problem is gnomes fall somewhere between the haflings, dwarves, and high elves in where they fit into the structure. They didn't want to make a race that was "like X, but smaller". Which is one of the reasons they're used sparsely.
Was running a realms rp a while back with a gnome villain(not the main villain, but a nasty one none the less). Homar Highspell we called him; used magic to alter his voice into a fierce, rumbling, terrible sound. |
"Then I saw there was a way to Hell even from the gates of Heaven"
- John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress
Fatum Iustum Stultorum. Righteous is the destiny of fools.
The Roleplayer's Gazebo;
http://theroleplayersgazebo.yuku.com/directory#.Ub4hvvlJOAY |
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Ranak
Learned Scribe
USA
190 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 16:43:26
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quote:
Originally posted by Erik Scott de Bie
This has little to nothing to do with the OP, but it got me thinking. I'm also currently writing a gnome in my WiP FR novel, whom I hope will come off as a good, memorable character. We'll see.
Cheers
Erik, just out of curiosity is this Gnomish character a male or a female? Female gnomes are even more difficult to find information on, so I am curious what gender your gnome will be. |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3746 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 18:32:29
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quote:
Originally posted by Brimstone
He reminded me the character you would meet in a Wolverine comic. Only around one issue. Gets killed. Yet knew Wolvie for years, and he would know of Wolvies past.
-I saw him only as a plot element to give Cattie-Brie a wand, so that she could start down the magicians path. Personally, there are a million better ways to do that. |
(A Tri-Partite Arcanist Who Has Forgotten More Than Most Will Ever Know)
Elves of Faerūn
Vol I- The Elves of Faerūn
Vol. III- Spells of the Elves
Vol. VI- Mechanical Compendium |
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MrHedgehog
Senior Scribe
688 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 19:30:13
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| Do Svirfneblin count? They seem to get mentioned more. |
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Quale
Master of Realmslore
1757 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2011 : 20:16:11
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There's the gnomish Da Vinci in Aurora's
and Bentley Mirrorshade of the Friendly Arm
also the one that stole the Nether Scrolls is famous
the Horde article in Dragon has info on Songfarla |
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BEAST
Master of Realmslore
USA
1714 Posts |
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Lord Karsus
Great Reader
USA
3746 Posts |
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Gnomes of import
