I played D&D for many years but finally gave up when the revisions became too frequent and too complex. I still have a druid in a sacred grove somewhere. It can be fun but you need a good DM to make it so - one who is immaginative and neither too generous nor too homicidal.

Have fun - gnomes make good illusionists if your bard wants a sideline - you could be the complete entertainer. It is also handy to be able to just disappear if a PC becomes aggressive!