Small, ferocious, and most often appearing in mass numbers, goblins are often found side-by-side with bugbears and most commonly considered a countryside menace. Nonetheless, they are their own people with their own rightful existence on this world.
Goblins are deft and notoriously aggressive as a species, perhaps due to a long history of surviving a harsh existence. At first glance a goblin might resemble a particularly stocky gnome, having a slightly elongated face and large nose and ears. They also bear sharp teeth and claws and usually short, bristly fur matching the light brown of their mothers. It should be noted that some books and artworks claim goblins to be green, but this can be identified as a simple error in storytelling made by a once-famous, but colorblind, adventurer.
An unusual species, goblins are born from bugbears, and metamorph into bugbears when they are able to consume excess energy (i.e. food) for long enough periods of time. Bugbears who consume enough energy then become spontaneously pregnant, resulting in additional goblins. In this way, a single goblin could act as progenitor for their very own clan with no outside assistance, if given enough time and luck.
However, luck is also one things goblins are said to do without. Perhaps via confirmation bias or perhaps via some long and deep-rooted curse, goblins seem to have poor fortune wherever they go. It's undeniably been recorded that in various situations goblin societies will be broken where others stand; a hurricane thankfully passing by without harming most villages might result in the flood and destruction of a goblin's home. Or a dragon flying over the countryside may decide to raid a goblin village over any other, just for fun.
Nonetheless, these goblins always seem to get back up, which is quite a commendable trait.
Goblins can contract a unique sort of magical disease called nilbogism, turning them into a nilbog, an incorrigible magician that is invariably dedicated to pranks and mayhem. The origin for this affliction is inscrutable; one day a goblin may wake up carrying a nilbog's staff, and that is that. It is easy to cure - simply remove the staff from the nilbog - however this is incredibly painful for the goblin in question until they get through their withdrawals. Sometimes, a cured nilbog will retain some of their powers after their sanity returns.
Goblins in the World
Due to the unique biology of the goblin species, these folk spread far and wide across Des Forabis in variable number. However, in recent history (and still today in some cases) goblins and bugbears were considered by many to be a lesser species, resulting in a fractured and downtrodden people. One cannot say whether many goblins across the land resort to banditry to survive due to the fact that they had been persecuted, or if they are persecuted due to the fact that they use banditry to survive.
Not all goblins are hostile to civilization, however. Many live in scattered tribes who are able to survive on the borderlands of civilization. Many of these groups tend to keep to themselves, a desire perhaps for self-sufficience and independence.
Goblins have an unusual perspective on the concept of gender. Biologically a goblin is sexless, and cannot reproduce without becoming a bugbear. As such, many goblins adapt their gender from the customs of the people around them, whether that is other goblins and bugbears (their elders) or other humanoids. Some goblins, seeing themselves as smaller bugbears, go as females. Others who wish to differentiate themselves from their elders reject the idea entirely.
Not every goblin wishes to become a bugbear. It is a long and sometimes awkward or painful transformation, taking at least two years of effort to gorge oneself on fuel. Most settlements where many goblins live cultivate a particular drug that can be used to prevent the humors needed to transform from taking effect.
Goblin Player Characters
As a goblin you are defined by your ferocity and endurance in the face of a world that, at times, seems out to get you specifically. Every goblin is born in a litter of at least 3 from a mother bugbear, and so almost every goblin grows up surrounded by siblings. As part of their unique biology a goblin who is able to consume energy in excess of their needs for long periods of time is able to undergo a metamorphosis into a bugbear permanently. You have not yet done this - or may choose to never do this.
Since near every goblin has a somewhat large family, consider what they mean to you. Your bugbear mother may care for you and your siblings, or she may be a matriarch who herself has given birth to several generations of goblins, all of whom are your siblings but who make up more of a village-unit than a family-unit. Some of your siblings may have become bugbears themselves.
Consider what drives you to adventure away from your family if you have one, and what kind of goblin you want to be. You may wish to prove yourself as an individual who stands out from a huge, monolithic family. Or you may be seeking riches and glory to bring wealth and honor back home. You may desire to become a bugbear someday yourself - or maybe the idea of motherhood is not so appealing.
If you are a spellcasting goblin, it's possible you had an encounter with a nilbog at some point, or were even afflicted by nilbogism yourself and retained some magical ability from the event.
Goblins are a species commonly considered monstrous, but you do not need to be a monster. Nonetheless, keep in mind that some civilizations will thusly treat you as a monster based on their experiences with goblinoids in the past.
Goblin Traits
Ability Score Bonus. You gain a +2 to Dexterity and +1 to Constitution.
Age. Goblins are born from bugbear mothers and grow to maturity quickly, in only 8 years. Goblins normally live for about 60 years, but a mature goblin who transforms into a bugbear can extend their lifespan by nearly 20. A goblin who chooses to transform must spend about 2 years in the process before they can be considered a true bugbear.
Size. Your size is Small. Goblins range between 3 and 4 feet tall and weigh about 60 pounds on average.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Small Build. You require 50% less food than an average human to survive day to day. A goblin who consistently eats 50% more food than a human per day will begin transforming into a bugbear.
Fury of the Small. When you damage a creature with an attack or a spell and the creature's size is larger than yours, you can cause the attack or spell to deal extra damage to the creature. The extra damage equals your level. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
Nimble Escape. You can take the Disengage or Hide action as a bonus action on each of your turns.
