Goblins
Goblin.jpg

Goblins are a race of small, cruel humanoids commonly found throughout Corwyn. Goblins often dwell in lairs in mountain caves, secluded rural areas, or underground caverns. The race of Goblins is often, though not always, dominated by other larger goblinoids; most commonly hobgoblins.


Goblins are small in stature, and many consider them little more than a nuisance. They have flat faces, broad noses, pointed ears, and small, sharp fangs. Their foreheads slope back, and their eyes vary in color from red to yellow. Their skin color ranges from pale green through yellow-brown; usually all members of the same tribe share the same colored skin. Goblins are typically found in dark leathers soiled by poor hygiene and dyed black or dirty brown. Adult Goblins usually reach height between 3 1/2 and 4 feet tall, weighing an average 50-60 pounds.

Abilities


Goblins are both nimble and elusive; they are able to slip away from danger more easily than most. In combat, goblins often use this advantage to sneak up on enemies and deal them a blow from hiding and then slip away before they can be retaliated against. Goblin leaders can also be surprisingly charming, despite their monstrous appearance.

Goblin-2.jpg

Outlook


Goblins, like other goblinoids, have short, vicious tempers. Leaders among the race often come to power through betrayal or aggression, rather than by more peaceful means, or as clerics of and shamans. As such, goblins are easily provoked and often take sadistic pleasure in exacting revenge once crossed. Though goblins have an poor reputation overall, not all goblins are dim-witted or evil. Being constantly bullied by bigger, stronger creatures has taught goblins to exploit what few advantages they have: sheer numbers and malicious ingenuity. The concept of a fair fight is meaningless in their society. They favor ambushes, overwhelming odds, dirty tricks, and any other edge they can devise. Goblins prefer to fight battles where the odds are in their favor and often flee or surrender when outmatched.

Culture


Goblin society is tribal by nature. Goblin leaders are generally the strongest and usually the smartest in their group. Goblins have little concept of privacy, living and sleeping in large common areas; only the leaders live separately in their own private chambers. As such, goblin lairs are often stinking or soiled, though easily defended when under assault. Many such lairs are layered with simple traps for such purposes. Because of the violent nature of goblin culture it is not uncommon for goblins to come under the domination of individuals from a larger, more physically powerful culture, most typically hobgoblins or bugbears.

Male goblins, who are dominant in goblin society, sustain the community by raiding and stealing, sneaking into lairs, villages, and even towns by night to take what they can. If supplies get short enough, goblins will even resort to eating members of other races, including other goblinoids. They are not above waylaying travelers on the road or in forests and stripping them of all possessions, including the clothes on their backs. Goblins often capture slaves to perform hard labor in the tribes lair or camp.

goblin-3.jpg

Goblins do not get along well with most other races and are particularly suspicious of outsiders. Goblins have a somewhat ambivalent relationship with orcs and half-orcs, who they've worked with on occasion. The only true allies of the goblin race are Worgs, who often act as mounts and fighting companions for goblins. Goblins have a particular hatred for Dwarves; this is not surprising as the two races have been bitter enemies for millennia and fought each other in the Goblin Wars.