Hobgoblins

Summary

When most humans hear the word “goblin” they think of these (much to the svartalfar’s chagrin.) Hobgoblins are generally weak and seen as unintelligent, though, they are known to often be cunning. They are in awe and fear of their goblin (svartalfar) creators and are eager to earn their praise. Because of this, they sometimes form armies under the control of a true goblin.

Biology

Hobgoblins have beaked noses, sharp teeth, and curved, pointed ears. Males are generally two strides or so tall and skinny. Females are generally around three strides tall and much wider. Pregnancy generally lasts around three or four months and results in litters between three and six hobgoblins. Like humans, hobgoblins nurse their young, though for only a few months. Most hob litters end up with at least one dead, though it’s not clear if this is due to biological issues, or lackluster medical treatments in hob societies.

Hobgoblins reach full maturity in about five years, and a hob in its late teens is considered to have reached old age. If not killed in their early years, males tend to die of natural causes in their mid-twenties, while females live to their mid-thirties.

Ethnicities

As with many fey, hobgoblins share a bond with certain environments which they thrive in, but they seem better able to dwell in different environments than most fey. Recognized hobgoblin ethnicities include:

Ash Hobs

Hobgoblins that favor fire and heat. They often build their warrens in volcanoes or near forges or other forms of industrial buildings. They seem highly resistant to heat, and to have some semblance of smithing and tool-creation. Their skin tends to be dark grey to black, and their eyes tend to be orange. However, since their homes are sooty, they often appear darker-skinned than they actually are.

Frost Hobs

Hobgoblins that tend to live in frozen areas such as mountaintops and tundra. They seem highly resistant to the cold, and construct their warrens of ice, snow, and frozen mud. Their skin tends to be pale blue to white, and their eyes are often blue.

Mud Hobs

Hobgoblins that seem to enjoy wallowing in mud and dirt. They often build their warrens underground near natural sources of water. Their skin tends to be some shade of brown, as do their eyes.

Rot Hobs

Hobgoblins who seem to favor rotting vegetation and swamps. Their warrens tend to be built of vegetation, often located in thickets or turned into floating islands in swamps. Their skin tends to be a sickly green, as do their eyes.

Behavior and Temperment

Hobgoblins generally live in tribes or clans led by their females, and tend to be greedy and uncleanly. They are, however, fairly social creatures and do seem to make friends or at least allies, though these tend to take the form of friendly rivalries.

No analog to marriage has been observed among hobs, and mating appears to be a matter of a male bribing a female or a female deciding she desires a male. Females of a tribe seem to share young-raising roles and favor their own offspring over those of other females. Males do not seem to have a sense of fatherhood, but will assist in child-rearing upon a female’s insistence.

Despite the high death rate of young hobs, hobgoblin mothers appear to grieve their offspring that die early, and hobs of various cultures have been noted to bury their dead offspring with luxurious items or dressing.

When dealing with individuals outside their tribe, hobs tend to be aggressive and even murderous, therefore few hobs have established any sort of cross-cultural exchange.

Notable Individuals

N/A

Rendition of male and female hobgoblins

Appearance	Small, warty humanoids, with large ears and often misshapen teeth. They generally lack scalp hair. Eye colors: • Brown • Green • Blue • Orange Skin tones: • Brown • Green • Light Cyan • White • Grey • Black
Typical Alignment	Outgoing, Spontaneous, Egoistic
Base Attributes	Physical Traits Agility: Standard (D) Endurance: Frail (E) Intelligence: Simple (D) Mysticism: Prosaic (E) Spirit: Indolent (E) Strength: Weak (E) Magical Aptitudes Chaotic: Minor (D) Dark: Vestigial (E) Light: Vestigial (E) Ordered: Vestigial (E)
Distribution	• Achtali: Sparse (D) • Kislavi: Thriving (B) • Menayz: Established (C) • Ninassur: Scarce (E) • Vinor: Thriving (B) • Zubia: Bereft (F)
Gender-distribution	Male: Majority (A) Female: Large Minority (B) Intersex: Rare (E)
Innate Traits	Highly resistant to disease and poison.
Lifespan	Infant mortality rate: ~33% Post-early childhood lifespans: Male: ~25 Female: ~35