Why can't gnomes be sorcerers?

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By doing this, the designers have ensured that gnomes will continue to be extremely unpopular and unused, which is very unfortunate seeing that they have that intelligence bonus and such...(last poll on sorcerer's place...gnomes were most unpopular)

I know, by now you are thinking that Farthy posts stupid and irrelevant questions that there are really no answers for, but Farthy is just like that.

 

You could use shadow keeper and make a gnome a sorcerer.

 

You see, like Jan Jansen, they're just too short to stand the pressure of being a sorcerer.

 

Gnomethropologists have debated this very question throughout the ages. Many were the sages, diviners and loremasters who did raise the point in learned discussion, or write weighty tomes on the issue. A program of library research to uncover the answer in same tomes was cut short because the gatewarden refused to let the researcher in on the basis that the library had no need of another copy of "the Umar Witch Project", and accepting the first one had been a mistake anyway. So, the researcher took a different tack, which involved repeated questioning of the librarian's assistant who took little interest in gnomethropology, and was suspected of making up answers so he could go home.
The findings of the research suggested several explanations, which are listed below:
1) As Laskol said, they're simply too short. Indeed a great sage, who shall remain nameless was quoted as saying "hahaha - midgets! they'll never amount to anything, they belong in a freak show or circ- AAHHHH! MY KNEES! My *******ING KNEECAPS!"
2) At one point there were gnomish sorcerers, and gnomish mages of all disciplines. However the forces of evolution let to them eventually dropping from existence, leaving gnomish sorcerers non-existant and gnomish mages with a strong biological and cultural leaning towards illusion magics. As to why evolution should favour illusionists in gnome kind, most sages point towards the twin loves of the gnomes - practical jokes and turnip beer*.
Firstly, gnomes with magical talents would naturally try to use them to play jokes on other gnomes. The magic involved is often more powerful than the prankster counts on, particularly when dealing with sorcery, and the results often leave pranksters dead, grievously wounded, or facing execution for destruction of life and property. Only those who specialised in the illusion school, which is almost perfect for harmless jokery, survived.
The second influence is that of turnip beer. When we combine the potency of turnip beer with the typically poor constitution of a gnomish mage accidents are bound to happen. Only diviners, illusionists and abjurers can survive for long without accidentaly setting themsleves on fire, turning themselves into blocks of wood or suffering similar fates. Gnomes do not favour divination or abjuration, as they make for poor pranking (see above)**
3)
By far the most popular theory - who cares?
* The origin of these well-known peculiarities of the gnomish race is another hot topic for gnomethropologists.
** Recent evidence uncovered at an ancient gnomish settlement suggests that divination was once highly favoured, but interest sharply dwindled once anti-magic protection was put on changing rooms.

 

I have to debate, Ironbeard, as I am a Gnomethropologist. Gnomes are Illusionsts indeed because a lot of gnomes dislike Necromancy because of the Nercomantic War between Gnomes and Elves (Refer to Why Elves are Necromancers). The Gnomes lost, but after chanting a small spell, Invisiblity 10'Radius in fact, they all disappered, however it is the very smell of turnip beer on the leader Gnomish Gnommy Gnoma that let the elves found out and cast dispel magic. Nautrally, the gnomes chargeeeeeeeeeeed, and the elves all cast Finger of Death on the gnomes. That's why Gnomes are Illusionsts, plus the very good reason about pranks you mentioned earlier. You could become a great Gnomethropologist yourself.