I got no problem going gnome but its not like shrink and crimson pots cost that much nor will you go through so many you're spending half the time restocking. You're gonna have to carry a couple of crim pots anyway since the disease cloud clicky has a 4 second casting time.
And the biggest advantage to gnomes (being able to see through walls ducking/sitting) wasn't mentioned.
For items, this wiki page is pretty well done:
http://wiki.project1999.com/Deity_Specific_Items