Goblin
Naming Traditions
Unisex names
- Prak
- Hrug
- Gw'enx
- Lakrit
- Oligrik
Family names
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Only the seers know the Old Goblin Tongue, which was common across all tribes. This was essentially eradicated except for naming customs and a few words when the Common Tongue came into being. It is theorised that before the unified goblin language, however, there were also individual languages for each tribe. These have been lost to time and can only be hypothesised.
Some of the remaining words and phrases from the Old Goblin Tongue are:
- S'piv brenkal dai: May the gods bless you
- Vorschuk: Untranslatable, but the nearest equivalent word is "bastard" or "fucker"
- Wragg: Warning/danger
- Livik pal: The coast is clear
- Grendizr'ik: Also untranslatable, but the closest equivalent would be "I love you deeply, with all my heart"
Shared customary codes and values
Goblins are the most pious of all the peoples of Olrion (or so they claim). As such, there is much value placed on reverence for the gods and being educated in mythology (which is typically passed down orally).
All who are able are taught how to fight because of the history of persecution. This means that martial aptitude is also heralded as a key value of the goblins, and someone who is proficient with a blade or other weapon are held in high esteem.
Common Etiquette rules
- Dropping to one's knees and bowing to greet priests, who are called "seers" because they are chosen for their ability to receive and interpret visions
- Clasping the shoulders and smiling broadly when greeting those they are familiar with (while other peoples sometimes do this, this is the only way goblins greet each other)
- Offering a portion of one's meal and drink to the gods before eating
- Eating with the right hand (as the left is reserved for anything that is unclean)
- Exceptional attention to using "please" and "thank you", something they got from humanoids but carry out with even more zeal than those it originates with
Common Dress code
Goblins do not have the same views on nudity that humanoids do. Breasts are not sexualised and genitals are considered to be "something everyone has", so there are few prohibitions on walking around naked except for those who wear uniforms (see below). While goblins will usually wear clothes, having picked up this habit from humanoids, during the summer they may thus forego them entirely.
Goblin fashion can be extravagant but also prioritises utility. Popular materials are cotton (as it is breathable), wool and furs (for warmth), and leather (because of its protective capacities and long-life span). Most of their fashion is based in some way on armour. This is because of the historical and continued persecution of the orcish. Goblins feel they must be prepared to defend themselves at all times—as pogroms and mob violence are, sadly, still a semi-regular occurrence.
The only profession with specific specifications on uniform is the seers, priests of the goblins. All of their armour is crafted from black leather, and their top-half coverings consist of two straps crossing over one another in an "X" shape, so that the breast/nipple area is covered. They may wear any style of bottom-half covering so long as it, too, is black leather. They wear a red sash around the waist tied into a bow on the left-hand side, and a cloak made out of a trimmed animal skin, so that the hood is made out of the taxidermied head. Customs for this vary from clan to clan, but wolves are the most popular due in part to how many there are in Olrion.
Art & Architecture
Foods & Cuisine
Rats have become a delicacy, however, partly because they have no choice but to kill the things lest they overrun settlements and it would be a waste of meat to not eat them. Tails are cut off and deep-fried in a similar manner to humanoid fries. This is in keeping with the custom to use as many pieces of a carcass as possible. Offal, then, is also considered a delicacy, with hearts being the most "esteemed" part of the kill.
Goblins are also keen foragers and the popularity of certain foods will vary based on location. In the centre of Olrion, for example, dandelions are highly prized as all elements of the plant can be turned into food.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
- Being short
- Muscular frames with pronounced shoulders
- A lack of tusks
- Big, long ears with a sharp point
- A short nose
- Long, clawlike fingernails (which are carefully and routinely cut and filed)
- Sharply pointed teeth (some goblins will file their teeth to achieve this shape)
- Black nails
- Red warpaint comprised of lines and harsh angles artfully painted across the face
- Geometric and dotwork tattoos
- Lip, nose, and ear piercings, which can sometimes be stretched with wooden plugs (or gemstones, if the claim can obtain them)
Gender Ideals
Courtship Ideals
Relationship Ideals
Major organizations
- The Grand Seers
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