Getting Started With WoW Roleplay - Gnomes
Fleshing Out Your RP Character In World of Warcraft
Sep 15, 2009
The World of Warcraft in-game introduction to a new gnome character says: "With their obsession for developing radical new technologies and constructing marvels of mind-bending engineering, it’s a wonder that any gnomes have survived to proliferate."
Gnomes, Dwarves And Troggs
This statement is borne out in the gnomes' recent history, after they were forced to leave their home city of Gnomeregan when it was invaded by troggs. In releasing toxic radiation to kill the troggs, the gnomes killed off nearly 80% of their own population before fleeing to the safety of Ironforge and the friendship and protection of the dwarves.
The Gnomeregan Exiles are also know as Ironforge gnomes because of their link with the dwarven city of Ironforge. Gnomes are often seen as a comical race because of their appearance, small size and often foolhardy engineering exploits, but role players could also choose to play up the intelligence of the race which makes them formidable – although sometimes lethal – engineers and scientists.
Choosing A Class
In contrast to their scientific activities, gnomes are not renowned for their religious beliefs, and so have no priests, paladins, druids or shamans among their ranks. This is rumoured to be due to change with the release of the Cataclysm expansion, set for release in late 2010, when priests are set to be added to the available classes.
The gnomes' small size makes them highly effective rogues, as unprepared enemies are less likely to spot a gnome rogue creeping up on them, and they are renowned for their agility, making them experts at escaping from awkward situations.
Role players preferring to choose a spell-casting gnome have the option of mages or warlocks, and those wanting an angry little gnome that attacks everyone in sight can choose to play as a warrior or a death knight – the latter in particular providing a good built-in backstory which would account for the gnome's bloodlust.
Speech And Language
Gnomes speak Gnomish, which is also known as Gnome, and also understand Common, which is the human language spoken by all races of the Alliance.
When speaking, gnomes often speak about themselves in the third person, for example, "Dixie can give you the dynamite" instead of "I can give you the dynamite".
Choosing A Name
Gnome parents name their children at birth, with examples of female gnome names including Ashli, Nefti, Sorassa and Gamash, as well as names which include initials, such as K. Lee and J.D.. Male names include Gelbin, Sicco, Toshley, Fizzcrank, Grobnick and Erbag.
Surnames are taken from a child's parents, but young gnomes are expected to invent their own name to reflect their own achievements once they are of age. Some family names are Smallfry, Fullthrottle, Mekkatorque, Manastorm, Darkmoon and Bombtosser.
Some gnome role players may also choose to give their character a title, such as Tinker or Mekgineer, to give their character more depth.
Have Fun!
No matter how well prepared a role player is, the very nature of the game means a player is likely to come across a situation that throws them and creates an unusual challenge for their character.
However, by sticking to the simple role playing rules, such a situation can become an interesting and fun experience, and role players should always be willing to try to work their way out of such situations while staying in character so that all the players involved have the best possible experience.
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