As a long-time gnome warlock, I too would like to see gnomes get some respect. I cannot remember where I read it - it may have even have been on this website - but someone once put forward that gnomes get made fun of because we secretly terrify all the other races. Gnomes are brilliant, without the ongoing issues the goblins suffer from due to the way they gained their intellect, and while we're short in stature, we're actually ridiculously strong for our size, easily capable of the same martial prowess a human can achieve. And despite this level of superiority, we're not condescending; we're friendly with everyone we meet, cheerful, accepting. Before Thermaplugg went so wrong, a gnome killing another gnome was unheard of; that's why his betrayal was so effective, because a gnome would have never have expected another gnome to backstab them. In short, gnomes are practically perfect... and nobody likes the guy who seems perfect.

Hmm, I may have to play KoA now; their portrayal of gnomes sounds a lot like the ones in the Eberron D&D setting.