Gnome that thinks he is a Dwarf [Archive] - Wizards Community

Gnome that thinks he is a Dwarf [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Meion_leah
09-29-04, 11:21 PM i had this idea today to make a gnome paladin(maybe fighter) that has been brought up by a dwarf clan. He total thinks that he is just a smaller dwarf, and he acts like one. i would like some help wiht this idea so if there is anyone that has some cool ideas abotu how to play this and how to work out his background better i would like to help a lot thanks
White rabbit
09-29-04, 11:41 PM Sounds like one of my friend's characters. She made an elf who was raised by dwarves. You ain't seen funny until you seen a female elf put a dwarven clan leader in his place speaking in dwarven (with the proper accent mind you!).

If he was raised entirely by dwarves, then just supplant the mindset of a dwarf onto the gnomish body and watch the roleplaying sparks fly!
GaffeR
09-30-04, 04:11 AM i like it!

you absolutely.. positively.. MUST have the dwarvish accent right! Drink ale, prefer the underground, dislike those "poofdy" elves. Hell, swing an axe!
"Nay, i aint one fer talkin, but if it's splittin orc heads yee be after.. sign me up!"

...i love dwarves :D
Fern
09-30-04, 10:37 PM Heh, I like it. :)

Here's some things I would consider using:

A Beard, which he is very proud of (can gnomes grow beards? it may have to be fake).
The holy symbol of whatever dwarven diety is appropriate to the campaign / character (whether or not he's a paladin he is quite devout, which is to say he raises a mug of ale to [insert diety name here] whenever he gets the chance).
A large hip flask (or small keg) of dwarven spirits. He carries this in place of a backpack, and is continually having to get food from other party members.
A dwarven waraxe, which he attempts to wield one-handed.
He speaks dwarven (and perhaps only dwarven).
A dwarf-sized chain shirt. Not only is he convinced he is just a small dwarf, he is quite worried by the small part (and demands that he be enlarged before they go into combat, the inn, etc, so that people won't think his growth has been stunted).
Be convinced that all gnomes are dwarves and confide in them his secrets of appearing more like a real (Dwarven) man. Be very confused when they don't understand Dwarven.

And so on. Better yet, be a female Dwarf and use the above suggestions. :D

Er... I mean Gnome. Yeah. ;)
GnomFoo
10-01-04, 06:40 PM if gnomes cant cant have beards, I will have wasted my D&D life. I always play a gnome sorcerer, or cleric with a large beard, and a bald, or nearly bald head.

But yeah, i like the idea of this... maybe your DM could let you have dwarven waraxe(exotic) proficiency, instead of the gnomish hooked hammer.
Meion_leah
10-01-04, 06:45 PM thanks eveyone for the input. what do u all think about the spell-like abilites the Gnome gets? do u think that those would still apply?
Garith Dragonborn
10-01-04, 07:27 PM i think that they wouldn't because you're a "dwarf" and they are actually not good with magic, though there are those few dwarf clerics or mages who could whoop a dwarf fighter. you're character would be trained in all dwarven abilities, but mabey not as much or as well as dwarves, and would be trained in dwarf weapons. you could have a few inborn gnome abilities that would set you apart from your bretheren. but you could do anything aloud
Meion_leah
10-01-04, 07:32 PM well arent thier spell-like abilites inborn?? and if u think i shouldnt get them then what would u say i get to make up for not having them?
Garith Dragonborn
10-01-04, 09:09 PM True they are inborn, but if not raised by their gnome parents they would just flitter away. to make up for this have some of the abiities present but weaker or get them though lvling in the game by finding out about your past. or just do what you and your DM decide will work. i personnally think that you should get very little gnome abilities, but as i said find out what works.
The_Yellow_Dart_Swinger
10-01-04, 09:26 PM If you want to be really technical about it, you might have to switch a number of abilities out.

For instance, normally gnomes get a +1 racial bonus on attack rolls against kobolds and goblinoids. But since you were raised by dwarves, you might get a +1 bonus against orcs and goblinoids instead.

Same thing with weapon familiarity. Switch that out with a dwarven waraxe, granted it would have to be a small one.

Automatic languages would switch to common and dwarven and pick up the bonus languages of the dwarfs. You'd probably keep the spell-like abilities though your character might never use them.

The other items on the gnome list (except for the listen part) can be debatible on weither or not these stem from culture or are granted because every gnome has them no matter what.
SgtHulka
10-02-04, 07:39 PM I suspect your character would have a Napoloean complex. Were he a Gnome, he might be a giant among his peers. But as a Dwarf he's constantly having to prove himself.

An opposite way to play him is as an ugly duckling. He's grown up in a Dwarf clan, he has Dwarven parents, he thinks he's a Dwarf, yet he's never managed to fit in. He can't grow a "proper" beard. He laughs too much. He talks to gophers. Etc. Only later, when he begins adventuring and meeting other races, does he realize he's really a Gnome, and suddenly his life makes sense.

If going with the delusional "I'm not a gnome I'm a dwarf" concept, consider putting his worst stat in Wisdom, since that tends to be a measure of common sense and intiution, whereas your character would be borderline insane.
Skrimshaw
10-03-04, 11:29 AM I think you should keep it purely roleplaying.

Dont try to change the stats around or the abilities, you'll just come off greedy to yer DM.

I say keep the abilities but deny them,

Run away from badgers screaming "I can't hear you!, I'm not listening!!!"

Assume those dancing lights are the spirits of yer Dwarven ancestors coming to haunt you, or give you advice, Etc.
Garith Dragonborn
10-03-04, 02:36 PM that is wonderful advice and i applaude you for you brilliance! :ayyyy!: :bow: :ayyyy!:
Vharuck
10-05-04, 02:55 AM I agree with the spell-like abilities. He may not use them consciously, but they may just "happen." Or just have him think that his god blessed him with special powers, giving him good reason to think himself the next great dwarf hero chosen by the gods.

Oh, and do switch the favored enemy bonus and wep prof., since these represent the person's upbringing, not genetics.
Garith Dragonborn
10-05-04, 05:07 PM once again:that is wonderful advice and i applaude you for you brilliance! :ayyyy!: :bow: :ayyyy!:

I agree with the spell-like abilities. He may not use them consciously, but they may just "happen." Or just have him think that his god blessed him with special powers, giving him good reason to think himself the next great dwarf hero chosen by the gods.

Oh, and do switch the favored enemy bonus and wep prof., since these represent the person's upbringing, not genetics.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Meion_leah 09-29-04, 11:21 PM	i had this idea today to make a gnome paladin(maybe fighter) that has been brought up by a dwarf clan. He total thinks that he is just a smaller dwarf, and he acts like one. i would like some help wiht this idea so if there is anyone that has some cool ideas abotu how to play this and how to work out his background better i would like to help a lot thanks
White rabbit 09-29-04, 11:41 PM	Sounds like one of my friend's characters. She made an elf who was raised by dwarves. You ain't seen funny until you seen a female elf put a dwarven clan leader in his place speaking in dwarven (with the proper accent mind you!). If he was raised entirely by dwarves, then just supplant the mindset of a dwarf onto the gnomish body and watch the roleplaying sparks fly!
GaffeR 09-30-04, 04:11 AM	i like it! you absolutely.. positively.. MUST have the dwarvish accent right! Drink ale, prefer the underground, dislike those "poofdy" elves. Hell, swing an axe! "Nay, i aint one fer talkin, but if it's splittin orc heads yee be after.. sign me up!" ...i love dwarves :D
Fern 09-30-04, 10:37 PM	Heh, I like it. :) Here's some things I would consider using: A Beard, which he is very proud of (can gnomes grow beards? it may have to be fake). The holy symbol of whatever dwarven diety is appropriate to the campaign / character (whether or not he's a paladin he is quite devout, which is to say he raises a mug of ale to [insert diety name here] whenever he gets the chance). A large hip flask (or small keg) of dwarven spirits. He carries this in place of a backpack, and is continually having to get food from other party members. A dwarven waraxe, which he attempts to wield one-handed. He speaks dwarven (and perhaps only dwarven). A dwarf-sized chain shirt. Not only is he convinced he is just a small dwarf, he is quite worried by the small part (and demands that he be enlarged before they go into combat, the inn, etc, so that people won't think his growth has been stunted). Be convinced that all gnomes are dwarves and confide in them his secrets of appearing more like a real (Dwarven) man. Be very confused when they don't understand Dwarven. And so on. Better yet, be a female Dwarf and use the above suggestions. :D Er... I mean Gnome. Yeah. ;)
GnomFoo 10-01-04, 06:40 PM	if gnomes cant cant have beards, I will have wasted my D&D life. I always play a gnome sorcerer, or cleric with a large beard, and a bald, or nearly bald head. But yeah, i like the idea of this... maybe your DM could let you have dwarven waraxe(exotic) proficiency, instead of the gnomish hooked hammer.
Meion_leah 10-01-04, 06:45 PM	thanks eveyone for the input. what do u all think about the spell-like abilites the Gnome gets? do u think that those would still apply?
Garith Dragonborn 10-01-04, 07:27 PM	i think that they wouldn't because you're a "dwarf" and they are actually not good with magic, though there are those few dwarf clerics or mages who could whoop a dwarf fighter. you're character would be trained in all dwarven abilities, but mabey not as much or as well as dwarves, and would be trained in dwarf weapons. you could have a few inborn gnome abilities that would set you apart from your bretheren. but you could do anything aloud
Meion_leah 10-01-04, 07:32 PM	well arent thier spell-like abilites inborn?? and if u think i shouldnt get them then what would u say i get to make up for not having them?
Garith Dragonborn 10-01-04, 09:09 PM	True they are inborn, but if not raised by their gnome parents they would just flitter away. to make up for this have some of the abiities present but weaker or get them though lvling in the game by finding out about your past. or just do what you and your DM decide will work. i personnally think that you should get very little gnome abilities, but as i said find out what works.
The_Yellow_Dart_Swinger 10-01-04, 09:26 PM	If you want to be really technical about it, you might have to switch a number of abilities out. For instance, normally gnomes get a +1 racial bonus on attack rolls against kobolds and goblinoids. But since you were raised by dwarves, you might get a +1 bonus against orcs and goblinoids instead. Same thing with weapon familiarity. Switch that out with a dwarven waraxe, granted it would have to be a small one. Automatic languages would switch to common and dwarven and pick up the bonus languages of the dwarfs. You'd probably keep the spell-like abilities though your character might never use them. The other items on the gnome list (except for the listen part) can be debatible on weither or not these stem from culture or are granted because every gnome has them no matter what.
SgtHulka 10-02-04, 07:39 PM	I suspect your character would have a Napoloean complex. Were he a Gnome, he might be a giant among his peers. But as a Dwarf he's constantly having to prove himself. An opposite way to play him is as an ugly duckling. He's grown up in a Dwarf clan, he has Dwarven parents, he thinks he's a Dwarf, yet he's never managed to fit in. He can't grow a "proper" beard. He laughs too much. He talks to gophers. Etc. Only later, when he begins adventuring and meeting other races, does he realize he's really a Gnome, and suddenly his life makes sense. If going with the delusional "I'm not a gnome I'm a dwarf" concept, consider putting his worst stat in Wisdom, since that tends to be a measure of common sense and intiution, whereas your character would be borderline insane.
Skrimshaw 10-03-04, 11:29 AM	I think you should keep it purely roleplaying. Dont try to change the stats around or the abilities, you'll just come off greedy to yer DM. I say keep the abilities but deny them, Run away from badgers screaming "I can't hear you!, I'm not listening!!!" Assume those dancing lights are the spirits of yer Dwarven ancestors coming to haunt you, or give you advice, Etc.
Garith Dragonborn 10-03-04, 02:36 PM	that is wonderful advice and i applaude you for you brilliance! :ayyyy!: :bow: :ayyyy!:
Vharuck 10-05-04, 02:55 AM	I agree with the spell-like abilities. He may not use them consciously, but they may just "happen." Or just have him think that his god blessed him with special powers, giving him good reason to think himself the next great dwarf hero chosen by the gods. Oh, and do switch the favored enemy bonus and wep prof., since these represent the person's upbringing, not genetics.
Garith Dragonborn 10-05-04, 05:07 PM	once again:that is wonderful advice and i applaude you for you brilliance! :ayyyy!: :bow: :ayyyy!: I agree with the spell-like abilities. He may not use them consciously, but they may just "happen." Or just have him think that his god blessed him with special powers, giving him good reason to think himself the next great dwarf hero chosen by the gods. Oh, and do switch the favored enemy bonus and wep prof., since these represent the person's upbringing, not genetics.