World of Warcraft™

Hello, this is a basic standard on how to roleplay gnomes, this is a great start for anyone needing advice on how to roleplay their fun little friend, but this is not a code of conduct or strict rules. Most of my sources come from online and personal experience.

1. Gnome Background/lore
2. Racial Views (Basic view)
3. Gnome Class choices
4. Names and Aging
5. Gnomish Behavior (Personality, speech, professions, ect.)

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1. Gnomish Background & Society
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The origins of gnome kind are unknown. They may be related to dwarves. Gnomes were “discovered” by the dwarves, who invited them to live in Dun Morogh with them. The gnomes built Gnomeregan, a high-tech city in the mountains. The gnomes contributed technology and combatants to the Second War, and were decisive in securing victory. In the Third War, however, they did not help. The other races later found that the gnomes had been fighting to save their city from trogg invaders. Knowing that their allies are busy with the Scourge, they did not ask for help, but valiantly (perhaps foolishly) made their last stand alone. On the advice of his trusted advisor Mekgineer Thermaplugg, the High Tinker Gelbin Mekkatorque ordered that radioactive gas be released. Long story short, Gnomeregan was destroyed. The surviving gnomes now live in Tinker Town, the gnomish district of Ironforge, where they are constantly plotting to retake Gnomeregan.
Tip: Your character did not destroy Gnomeregan. I repeat, your character did not destroy Gnomeregan. If I had a dime for every gnome that claims this… well,
I’d fashion the dimes into a weapon to kill them. YOU DIDN’T DESTROY GNOMEREGAN!

Recent exploring in Northrend shown that the titans forged gnomes as mechanical beings that sooner or later succumbed to the curse of flesh. (Your gnome does not need to believe in this, but it is fact in creation.)
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Gnomish Society:

Gnomish society is largely unstructured. The gnomes have not had a king for centuries. Instead, the High Tinker is elected.

Gnomes do not have any particular religion. A few acknowledge the Light, and some gnomes believe that, like the dwarves, they trace their orgins to the Titans. However, the majority of gnomes eschew spirituality.

Family life is valued among gnomes, as among other races. However, a gnome does not define himself by his family. When a gnome reaches adulthood, he is expected to have made a name for himself (literally – see Names).

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2. Racial Views
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Gnomes are very friendly creatures and often forgiving. They strive for knowledge, and are not prone to hold grudges. Gnomes are very unmotivated to strike the horde alone. If left alone in their research, they'll leave you alone as well.

Dwarves:

The gnomes’ closest allies, who gave them a place to build Gnomeregan, and sheltered the refugees after it's fall. Though the dwarves are good engineers themselves, they get most of their better contraptions from the gnomes. They respect Dwarven technology to an extent. Call them average.

Humans:

Gnomes have fought and died alongside humans, and are happy to participate in the human-led Alliance. Gnomes sometimes tend to treat short-lived humans as a primitive people that can benefit from their wisdom – whether they want it or not. Gnomes can consider Humans very brave on some occasions. Call them tall.

Night Elves:

Gnomes and night elves have very little in common. Gnomes have no interest in ancient customs, nor in protecting nature. Elves disapprove of technology. Nevertheless, the easygoing gnomes treat elves with kindness and respect. Call them very tall!

Draenei:

THe gnomes are extremely curious for this race. Not being native to Azeroth, they try to learn how they utilized crystals for their life customs. The friendly gnomes can easily befriend a Draenei for their technological interests. THey can call these race. Tallest of tall!

Worgen:

Gnomes can have mixed feelings for this beasty race. sharing the same attibutes of a human, they can treat them the same as any human. The worgen form could become rather off-settling, but with a little time and trust, they'll be asking constant questions on what this gift has offered.

Orcs:

The gnomes often pity the horde, but remember the injuries caused by the orcs. However, gnomes can set it aside and become tutors to the green fellows. Some orcish engineers learned from the gnomes themselves.

Trolls:

Often seen as primitive, they'd more than likely treat them as the Night elves, but also orcs as well. But do be worried if that troll tries to get a bite. They are curious of food and can be cannabalistic.

Tauren:

Gnomes and Tauren hold the Night Elf perspective of eachother. However, a gnome could take interest on how a tauren hunts. Even with primitive looks, the tauren has shown great intellegence through the lifts.

Undead:

Perhaps the gnome's greatest fear of the horde. Though being very technological, the undead have more use to the gnomes converted into undead followers, rather than undergoing study by them. A gnome would require them to gain their trust and keep all plague injectors away from them.

Blood Elves:

The gnomes find much curiousity in thier use of magic. Their advanced use of enchantment interest the gnomes greatly and would gladly study the sin'dorei enchantment abilities.

Goblins

Gnomes and goblins are huge rivals. Sometimes the rivalry is friendly, other times it isn’t. As a gnome, your character will most likely have nothing good to say about goblins, and will probably take every opportunity to insult their ethics and their intellect. However, gnomes are respectful even to goblins and can admire their handiwork with explosions. A gnome and goblin are not exactly known for working together. Do expect some arguements before anything is offically done.

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3. Gnome Class Choices
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As you can see, creating your super special awesome gnome, you have the lowest amount of classes, but don't let this bother you.

Warrior:

Gnomes are not only intellegent with magic, but they know plenty of ways to bring a tauren to his knees. With their strategic moves with shortswords, they could cut a gaint down to size. Whether they choose to prove their strength, or taunt their enemy away from their friends, they can prove to be deadly in plate armor. do remember that trying to punt one of these is like trying to kick a three-hundred pound rock.

roleplay choices:

- Steam-warrior: gnomish technology have utilized heat and water properties into their combat. scalding heat can burn your enemy down, and also give yourself an extra boost when getting away.
- Mercenary: A traditional warrior, A gnome could mislead an enemy for a quick kill.

Mage:
Many gnome magi are honored through-out Azeroth. their tinkering has made their abilities exceptionally deadly. Plenty of Gnomes hold magical properties and the mage is an excellent route for magic.

Roleplay choices:
Pyromancer: An mage excelled in the use of fire, Smelting is quite easy with their abilities.
Illusionist: Gnome illusionists are quite a nuisence and their abilites to mess with the enemy goes unmatched.

Warlock:
Gnome warlocks are not all particulary evil. gnomes have used magic to summon demons, and others have enslaved them. They can use their abilities in the twisted nether for great studies and how to approach possible threats of the legion in the fture. Wilfred Fizzlebang is a great example, even if his miscalculation costed his life.

Roleplay Choices:
Demonologist: using your knowledge of demons, you use your demons for common use. Imps for burning unwanted items, Felguards for extra protection, and the succubus for those lonely nights of bondage.
Torturer: Gmomish warlocks have used their curses to not only inflict pain, but also quickly gain information from their issued targets.

Rogue: A gnome rogue comes second to the Night Elves. Thier small bodies give them easy hding spots, and thier light weight muffles their sounds.

Roleplay Choices:
Agent: gnomes have quite the ability to spy and go undercover for their missions. With the right agreement, you have a potiental gnome getting your target information.
Assassin: quite the simple choice, and gnomes can have a lot of fun even for their short hieght. The enemy's rump is ripe and nothing is more priceless than "A thorn in an orc's backside"

Priest: gnomes always had priests in their ranks. They usually considered them doctors, medics, and nurses. The gnomes always respected the religious views, and only so much has persude the study of them.

roleplay Choices:
Shadowmancer: An aspiring gnome could harness the shadows and mend wounds, manipulate enemies, and cause brain shmooze.
Doctor: A gnome is often known for their work with a bone saw. Surgery is mostly preformed by gnomes alone!

Death Knight: Death Knights are tedious in gnomish standards, but take note that a reanimated gnome could still be a threat.

Roleplay choice:
-To be determained-

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4. Names and Aging
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Ages:

Surprising enough, Gnomes have long lifespans, outweighing the humans, but a little younger than the dwarves. A gnome can live up to two hundred years at max, those surpassing have good health!

Adulthood 40

Middle Age 100

Old Age 150

Lifespan 203-500

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Names:
the hardest part of creating a character is selecting a good name. But with gnomes, it’s easy! Gnome parents name their children at birth, and the gnome takes on a family name that reflects the accomplishments of an ancestor. At adulthood, however, the gnome’s surname is changed to reflect his own accomplishments. Most gnomish names are compounds of two words. Some examples of gnome names:
Springspindle Fizzlegear
Gelbin Mekkatorque
Tally Berryfizz
Fizzlebang Booms
Wizzle Brassbolts

(It is normal for a gnome to cling onto a family name.)

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5. Gnomish Behavior
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Speech:

The heart of roleplaying is conversation, and it’s one of the hardest things to master. I shudder when I hear new roleplayers use antiquated English. Your character probably wouldn’t say “I smite thee, foul knave, for thou hast killest my dear father!” Only humans get to talk in fancy English, and even they shouldn’t take it that far. Gnomes do not talk like that. Ever.

Gnomes are rational thinkers, so they tend to be very prosaic. They don’t use fancy metaphors or figures of speech, just blunt (if sometimes convoluted) declaratory. They’re intelligent, so they have rich lexicons. However, they’re more than willing to bend the rules to get their point across. Long, crazy-sounding words are common, especially for gadgets. Gnomes are eccentric geniuses, so they tend to ramble. Picture that nerdy friend of yours after you ask a math question – he just goes on and on excitedly, and you can’t understand a word. That’s a good place to start. When a gnome starts talking about his work, he often gets carried away.

If you’re not confident in your mastery of gnomish speech, don’t worry. Just speak as you normally would and you’ll be fine. Just avoid sounding fancy.

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Personalities:

Obviously, gnomes are brilliant. However, gnomes are not wise (Older gnomes may be a LITTLE wiser then the rest of them, but considering all the explosions and backfire, who knows how many gnomes get that old?). A typical gnome is an engineer who makes ingenious but impractical (probably dangerous) devices. That’s what makes gnomes fun to roleplay – they’re crazy! You can walk around doing absurd, dangerous things that fit your character perfectly.

Now, gnomes are still shrewd. A gnome will not be taken advantage of, and it’s very hard to deceive one. In a match of wits, the gnome always wins. Gnomes make excellent merchants when they apply themselves. It’s important to note though, that unlike goblins, gnomes are not greedy; they are utterly selfless and eager to please. If a profit can be had, so much the better.

Gnomes are practical, rational thinkers. Your gnome will probably not be fond of poetry or deep philosophical musing. When a human or elf starts waxing poetic, it would be perfectly acceptable to make a factual observation that completely ruins the moment.

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Professions:

A gnome is always willing to learn, their basic bodies will chose anything that suits their lifestyle, if Engineering isn't their thing, Alchmeny could be a good start as well!

Engineering

Gnomes and engineering go together like bread and butter. Engineering should be your first choice of profession for any gnome character. Of course, there’s absolutely no reason that you can’t roleplay most aspects of engineering, even without being an engineer. You should make liberal use of explosives and gadgets. The more exotic the gadget, the better. Designing and building a weird new contraption is a classic gnome storyline.

Gnome engineers sometimes run into problems with god-moding. Gnomes are brilliant engineers, and can do extraordinary things. There is absolutely no contradiction with Warcraft lore when gnomes make absurd contraptions – look at mechanostriders, death rays, nuclear reactors, giant killer robots. But be careful not to be obnoxious. If you’re always producing the perfect device at the perfect time, other players will get annoyed. Now, I must admit I’m guilty of this myself (“Zappie takes out her GnomeTech Shadowmeld-Resistant Night Elf Containment System.” or “A GnomeTech Arcane Nullifier Drone enters and places a reflective shield on Zappie.”). But I’m ok with that. I make it work for my character, and those I play with know what to expect, and not to take me too seriously. Gnomes are fun, after all! Just be warned. It should be noted, that your devices shouldn't always succeed, as a gnome if a super safe bandage dispenser explodes and burns off your hair, try and try again. Also going to a barber shop after detonation or mishap with your personal devices makes for interesting RP, as can using dynamite as a "failed invention"!

Alchemy

Also a good choice, since it’s a science. Gnomes should treat alchemy more like chemistry, whereas elves would probably treat it as a more magical art. A gnome will probably ramble about alchemy just as he’d rave about engineering or magic (“If I can procure a sample of partially deionized arcanite extract, it will nullify the ascorbic viscosity of the moonberry juice!”). Alchemy goes well with the mad scientist motif. Jeckel and Hyde anyone? However keep in mind that the Goblins have a bonus to Alchemy.

Enchanting

Another very gnomish profession. Gnomes are experts with magic, and so they make brilliant enchanters. I would predict that enchanting has less creative potential than engineering or alchemy for roleplaying, but it’s certainly a viable choice.

Blacksmithing, Leatherworking, and Tailoring

These are not gnomish specialties. Gnomes are good at them of course, because they’re skilled artisans in general. You can absolutely roleplay a professional tailor or a skilled smith, and do so with plenty of success. They’re just less common choices for gnomes.

Jewelcrafting and Inscription

Not particularly gnomish either. However, the sheer number of things you can make with the same materials suggests that these professions require extreme precision, so working mathematical and especially geometric terms into professional discussion would add a gnomish element to them. They also tend to be more creative fields than the others, so consider roleplaying an eccentric artist.

Fishing

I have nothing to say about gnomes and fishing, except that you should be careful not to get caught on a fish hook. You would look funny fishing though. Please refrain from getting eaten by larger fish and shore creatures (It would look rather bad if your character met his end by being eaten by a turtle or a pissed off Frenzy)

Cooking

Gnomes approach cooking much like they approach engineering. They’re constantly trying new and strange things. At gnome parties, each guest brings a dish to share, and they all try to outdo each other. There are inevitably some absurd dishes. That is of course enormously fun for roleplayers! If you go to a party, don't bring a death ray.

First Aid
Gnomes are very good with first aid, since they’re constantly injuring themselves.

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Philosophy:

Gnomes are very practical and down to earth. They believe not in deities, but rather themselves. They believe knowledge is the best route and to persue it could unlock the world itself before them. They strive to learn everything they can. Many of the other races question this method and call it foolish. A gnome isn't afraid to study these deities however, so if a gnome is asking about Elune, do understand that he or she wants to understand such behaviors and powers that the disciplies earn.





I do hope this guide helps and I'm open to any critisism. I do not claim this knowledge as my own for I've learn plenty of it.

I read this guide and enjoyed it quite profusely!

and a bump for more gnomes!

I thought their whole life span can reach 250?

Well, a gnome reaching such an age is quite old. you can surpass this age, but you should have a good reason why you lived this long. Dangerous lifestyles can hinder life span.

shameless bump.

You forgot to add that you fit snuggily and tight in my arms when I hold you. <3

Why add what should be obvious to the crowd!?

Bohemius is pleased with this.

Steam-warrior go!

I was just hoping someone would make a gnome thread. Power to the little people!

I read through it, and I'm impressed with the detail in it. Though there are a few things.

Gnomes can actually live up to 500 years, 350+ is considered to be venerabaly old.

Also despite WoW's take on Gnomish engineering in lore it's stated that most Gnomish devices are in fact very reliable, as a Gnome will spend weeks and weeks improving, upgrading and perfecting any creation they make, that's not to say they have no chance of failure, especially during it's prototype phase, but they are considerably more reliable then most people believe.

Everything else is very solid, well written.

Isn't most of this from wowpedia or something? I think I've read this all before.

We need more info! :)

Also, what do you think about gnomes and astronomy? Did they have any reason to study the stars or were they completely holed up in the mountains underground? Would they have huge telescopes sticking out of the mountain peaks in the middle of nowhere over the city?

What about gnome on gnome anger? Do you suspect that there were homicides or gnome hatreds? Sort of want to make a PI sort of character but not sure how much work a homicide detective would get in Gnomeregan.

What do you think the police force was like in Gnomeregan? Sure, we see military but how was the place maintained if they didn't simply maintain themselves.

You know how they would gain their last names upon completion of something they accomplished in life? What do you think happened to those that didn't really amount to anything?

Standard issue and mandatory reading for all goblin military personnel.

Know thy enemy...

Yur cute. Are you single? *bats eyes*

o: is good!

Should put in a snippet about the Techno mage in the class section.