BegoneThoth wrote:Having a place like the grotto under the turret, accessible only to gnomes, and making the turret/grotto a full government with elections and all, would be a good move.
As well as making it non-earthkin alliance.
As-long we are NOT talking about a fullsize settlement, I am in agreement, Like a back-room, that is accessable only to the ones of the correct race, or in company of said race.
Adding a settlement for the Gnomes is not what we want to go for IMO.
Ironfoot wrote:Also majority of rock gnomes didnt see themselves to be in Grotto as its too UDish and closed, and well Svirfneblins if taking path to surface is mostly to pick up the trade and nothing else-their focus is mostly on UD also their interaction with UD races what is another reason why this merge is not possible even if rock gnomes would agree to svirfs way, for me seeing rock gnome walking around Andunor not in chains is at least weird if its not an Outcast, same as it would elf, fey or dwarf also seeing svirfneblin roaming the surface as after all should be alien race to all of them except shield dwarfs what is implied within the module, playing above that makes no difference than playing the r.gnome only that you can walk freely around Andunor and use Hub portal.
I would not narrow down the Gnomes in these manners. Gnomes as I understand it are rediculusly versitile and adapts very well to their surroundings. For the Rock Gnome, espessially after the Times of Troubles, as more Rock Gnomes are finding their way out of the settlements to attempt to tackle life outside it.
I see nothing wrong with free Rock Gnome working the Merchantile scene in Andunor. I could easily see any of them traders and merchants, without a moral compass. And would as such trade and co-opperate with who-ever. Even Drow.
It may not be their favourite surrounding, but Gold is always Gold.
Ironfoot wrote:Uniting gnomes strictly and openly would bring unbalance to RP of both races RP in their primary area of influnce, surface and underdark but that doesnt mean they cant cooperate.
I think forcing the Gnomes together would ofcourse land as a bombshell, it is a huge change, but it is also what many of our characters have been trying to do for the last two years, to find that common ground among the Gnomes. And it has almost developed two strickly opposing political doctrines:
One conservative branch, which will remain in the old ways and trust in the Lords, fronted by the pious Wardens and the Deep-gnome at large
And one nearly revolutionary branch which wants to change everything, including what Gods we revere, fronted totaly cray cray Lawbreakers and by freedom-first loving Lantanese Rock Gnomes.
And this political RP field, has been amazing, as long as they were balanced towards eachother.
Perhaps it is just I who interpered it this way, but I would say a forced merge be a good thing. Same as it would be a good thing with the Earthkin Settlement.
David And Goliath wrote:With that being said Svirfnblin also are lead by a King and Queen unless otherwise described (which I'm unsure if this is true about the Grotto). Having already a Kingship, there wouldn't be much sense for Deep Gnomes to offer govern over a Turret which isn't even in their isolated underdark cavern. In addition Deep Gnomes go life times without seeing the Sunlight, every Deep Gnome that are traditional / cultured to their way of life can't tell the difference from Day and Night.
The local Grotto is not a strict Deep-gnome settlement, even if it is most Deep-gnome who live there, but among the permanent residents are also a couple of Rock Gnomes, ONE Forest Gnome, and a Dwarf.
The local Grotto also lack the traditional King and Queen of the Deep-gnome since november 2016? (uncertain of exact date), when we removed that concept of rulership IC. (The king and queen of Deep-gnomes do not forward a royal line, but are selected through trials and sit for life.)
David And Goliath wrote:
To make a long conversation short: Svirfneblins would have little use for another "area" outside of their cavern. Even if it is for unification towards another Gnome party.
I agree partly, as I don't think that each Gnome subrace need their own space as such, rather then we need to be forced to work together. Therefore I don't think the suggestion was to hold multiple Grottos, but rather have a location which caters for all the Gnome without favoring the one.
BegoneThoth wrote:
It's not an ideal situation, and feels more like the way a strong population would treat a 'conquered' people.
This is pretty much the feeling I have had playing a Gnome within the Earthkin Alliance as well.
With love
Terto Tarquin