I am working on an area that revolves around gnomes. I would like to get some feedback from anyone who has a suggestion for a gnome gadget. What would you call it? What does it do? And what does the gadget look.like? (specific pieces/parts, etc) How is it powered?

Might lead to some interesting discussion

Thanks!

I envision gnomes as tinkering with mainly mechanical stuff, like very intricate clockwork, but occasionally "cheating" with magic -- nothing fancy, visually at least; maybe something that breaks the laws of physics in a non-ostentatious way (like conservation of energy or something like that). So you could have a watch that never needs to be rewound; a pen that never runs dry (although that's stretching it a bit for what I figure gnomes would do); maybe all kinds of fun clocks. You could look to cuckoo clocks for inspiration there: there are some really fun cuckoo clocks (in the real world that is ) with very intricate mechanical choreographies, little people coming out and dancing etc; I would picture gnomes having lots of "useless" but nifty stuff like that lying around.

As for things that are actually useful to adventurers, maybe things like navigation devices; compasses that work in unusual places (underground in a mine, where metals would normally disrupt the magnetics) or that do unusual things (like pointing to a designated, settable spot instead of north); a kit of small tools (screwdrivers and the like) that keeps itself organized and replaces broken tools; and so forth. Glasses that magnify while changing colors; glasses that have several swappable lenses; glasses that let you see in funny angles (like glasses with lenses that let you see behind you); etc.

Basically I picture gnomes as having all kinds of nifty things that aren't necessarily useful, but "fun" and capricious; and stuff that might be what we'd consider socially unusual (like hats with fans on them to cool you off) but serves a function. The glasses come to mind again; it'd look kind of silly to have glasses with two sets of fully rotating lenses!

Hope this helps... as for names, I have no idea.

DavidHaley, thanks as always for your enlightening views. I've spent quite a bit of time thinking about gnome gadgets. So far I have a few definites. The others will come along as the time nears for their place in the area.

I think actual names will reflect the general purpose of the item. I also think the items will be more mechanical than magical, though who says a gnome can't use magic? Those glasses sound pretty interesting. It reminds me of those driving-under-the-influence goggles law enforcement officers use as to educate the public what it's like to drive while intoxicated. Pretty cool stuff if you've ever experienced it.

Once again, thanks for the discussion.

Glad I could be of help.

Avaeryn said:

It reminds me of those driving-under-the-influence goggles law enforcement officers use as to educate the public what it's like to drive while intoxicated. Pretty cool stuff if you've ever experienced it.

Never had those on myself, but I've been meaning to just to see what the glasses are like and how they compare to the real thing. (Not driving, that is... just the sight distortion with alcohol)

A bit of a late response, but our Gnomes have a tinker skill which lets them produce a few items.

One of them is a collapsible ladder, which adds to their climbing skill.
Another is a mountable flying machine which is actually an "inanimate" mob.
A set of lockpicks.
And a couple others I can't think of right now. But there's all sorts of devious possibilities. Basically think up any kind of clever trap, object, or other seemingly wacked out item and Gnomes probably built it.

I'm already on my way with the nifty Prismatic Spectacles of Far Seeing. I'll post more a bit later on what they do specifically as I'm still working that out

OH! Oh! Mechano-striders!



Just a thought. >.> (actually more like something I remembered from my days of WoW, it was always fun picking on the gnomes and stunning them so they fell off their mounts. :D)

Kayle said:

OH! Oh! Mechano-striders!



Just a thought. >.> (actually more like something I remembered from my days of WoW, it was always fun picking on the gnomes and stunning them so they fell off their mounts. :D)

Ooooo cool idea! I have several already but that definitely adds a neat new twist to what I had in mind. Thanks Kayle!