What about Gnomes?

[Schrumpfkopf]

Outstanding feedback, I really appreciate it. 

I was using many of the features and ideas you guys pointed me towards to, (Rackham's ears and noses are really fantastic)
and was adding some feisty expression. I want Gnomes to have thin arms and legs, that have the quality of hemp ropes.

Anyway - I was starting do do some sketches.
The pointy ears might be still a bit too pointy, but I think the direction is there.



What do you gents think? Does smaller than a hobbit even make sense?

[Helen]

My readings from the D&D handbook on Gnomes & Halflings pictures them at about three an a half feet tall for the Rock Gnomes. The other Gnome families may vary in statue, however, all that aside thank you for looking at the gnomes in your scheme of things. Apparently, Rock Gnomes love to tackle Kobolds as an enemy. Can live with halflings, humans etc for short periods of time.

Kawe, knock off the gents bit!   I'm fine with the word guys!

[LordOdo]

What do you gents think? Does smaller than a hobbit even make sense?

Actually I can see them in all kinds of heights and shapes and sizes varying from smaller than a hobbit to tad taller than a dwarf.

I think the variation in length may add to the nature based character of the race, if you get what I mean.

[Nord]

I didn't think I would like them so "pointy", but it's growing on me. Have to say though, that they look very unfriendly, sinister even, which is not a vibe I would associate with gnomes. It's the eyes - too narrow, too slanted, maybe both. I don't think they should be bumbling fat buffoons in gardens, but slightly more likeable would be nice.

[Khadrin Stonetooth]

I am also for rock gnomes, illusionists, engineers, alchemists.

[Schrumpfkopf]

My readings from the D&D handbook on Gnomes & Halflings pictures them at about three an a half feet tall for the Rock Gnomes. The other Gnome families may vary in statue, however, all that aside thank you for looking at the gnomes in your scheme of things. Apparently, Rock Gnomes love to tackle Kobolds as an enemy. Can live with halflings, humans etc for short periods of time.

Kawe, knock off the gents bit!   I'm fine with the word guys!

Yes, I think the Rock Gnomes are a really good direction. And no worries, I think everything is better than yet another range of dwarves. :--)

I didn't think I would like them so "pointy", but it's growing on me. Have to say though, that they look very unfriendly, sinister even, which is not a vibe I would associate with gnomes. It's the eyes - too narrow, too slanted, maybe both. I don't think they should be bumbling fat buffoons in gardens, but slightly more likeable would be nice.

Yep, they came out a little dark, and the very pointy ears might add to the 'good' goblin feeling. Either way, I want Gnomes in combat situations, so I toned down the 'kindred spirit' thing a little. The expressions should be quite neutral in the end.

[Hobgoblin]

I really like those sketches!

Here's what George MacDonald had to say on the taxonomy of such creatures in The Princess and the Goblin (an indirectly significant influence on fantasy gaming because it was a huge influence on Tolkien):

"Now in these subterranean caverns lived a strange race of beings, called by some gnomes, by some kobolds, by some goblins."

[.:Gunslinger:.]

I second the idea of different heights and sizes! It's a feature that adds so much character, yet is rarely seen in wargaming miniatures!

The sketches look very promising already!

[MattW]

I really like the pointy features, and that'll help distinguish them from dwarfs. I look at Otherworld's couple of gnomes, and they're not really much different to dwarfs or halflings.

[Cubs]

Have you considered pointy ears but bulbous noses?

[Schrumpfkopf]

Have you considered pointy ears but bulbous noses?

Pros: Less Goblin
Cons: More Dwarf

[affun]

I really like the bottom one. Especially the nice pointy hat.
Too few miniatures have nice pointy hats.

[robh]

Both styles of nose are good and could be mixed without problem.

Personally I would like to see the ears less violently pointed, makes them less goblin and also less similar to the Stonehaven range.

[Cubs]

Pros: Less Goblin
Cons: More Dwarf

That's what I like.

[Severian]

I rather like the pointy noses & ears: gives them a slight reminiscence of the kobolds, hinting at some sort of distant kinship. But the bulbous noses are also good. Maybe a mixture of the two, as has been suggested?

The facial hair (and eyebrows) is looking great...

Another vote for a range of sizes and shapes, too. But certainly much slighter than dwarves, and with spindlier limbs than hobbits. And nice long Rackhamish fingers...