The Pack & the Pact

Still fairly new to the world are the more organized tribes of Goblins who have sprung forth from the normally feral and terrifying pack of the old world.
A Grisly Past and Grand Present
The Goblins of the ‘Old World’ still exist in the depths of less explored locales like dense forests and underground tunnel networks throughout the world, continuing to live in fierce tribal packs that are both ferocious and terrifying to behold. At the forefront of this is a small collective of Goblins known as ‘The Pact’ who have begun to seek a more civilized approach to eke out an existence in a new and ever changing world.
Ancient Beings & New Beginnings
‘Old World’ tribes are usually led by powerful Goblin shamans that are said to be one with an ancient magic ‘older than earth’ that is often times associated with long forgotten words of power and even rumoured to be the tainted magic of dead Gods.
While these savage tribes are usually secluded and forgotten, it isn’t uncommon to hear of a group of adventurers not returning from an isolated cave or forest where there’s believed to be an old world tribe lurking.
The more civilized Goblins of ‘The Pact’ are not organized into larger groups, and as such do not have any associated military force; though they will fight to protect their settlements.
Cutthroat Opportunists
The more civilized Goblins of the world that have learned to coexist with other more organized races have discovered that the benefits afforded to them by such means far outweigh the risk of living among the more savage and feral of their kind. Oftentimes they make surprisingly shrewd and clever allies, especially in the fields of trade and commerce; believing their alliances with the other smaller races such as Halflings and Gnomes to be of great importance to their economic growth and development.
Goblins tend to have exceptional insight when dealing with most other races and as such, use their wit and savvy to every possible advantage when attempting to befriend an ally.

“Broken? No, no. It’s not broken; that’s a feature!”

The Greatest Salesman

Escaping the Old World
The more feral and savage Goblins of the ‘Old World’ packs are feared by seasoned explorers and veteran adventurers alike; many recounting frightful tales of heavily trapped lairs full of nightmarish creatures with sharpened fangs communicating in series of screeches and clicks.
The Goblins that have found their way into a more sentient and organized lifestyle in the recent years have found themselves at the forefront of innovative and new technologies that have begun to change the ways of life for many races. Though some are put off by their appearance, the majority of civil goblins are able to get by fairly well. Most sentient Goblins seek out work as inventors, tinkers, and alchemists; though some still live a life on the edge of danger as thieves, pick-pockets, and even assassins.
Unknown Depths
No one is truly certain when the Goblins first began a path to a more civilized lifestyle, as no single scholar can pinpoint the exact date of divergence; many scholars believing that there was a great underground war in which certain Goblins began their ascent to the surface after rising up against their ancient shamanistic overlords.
For this very reason, it is usually not looked upon lightly when a Goblin wishes to leave an Old World tribe for the surface world.
It is often-times met with hostility or a treasonous death.
The civilized goblins of the surface are more apt to encourage their children to seek out a life of their own through innovation and a good business sense.
Shamans of a Forgotten Power
The ‘Old World’ shamans rule over their tribes with a ferocity that can only be described as terrifying. It is unknown as to whether there is a greater governing force among the shamans and ‘Old World’ tribes.
Ritualistic blood sacrifice and cannibalism are not uncommon among these tribes, believing that the power of the previous ‘vessel’ can be consumed and used.
There are rumoured to be ‘Old World’ tribes that are open to communicating with outsiders and surfacers, despite their views.