Hobgoblins
Keepers of the buttons, counters of the shinnies, Hobgoblins are very rare Goblins *WIP* that are good with numbers and have an aptitude for writing and learning, the ‘nerds and geeks’ among the goblin people. These special goblins are sent to apprentice with any sincere Humen *WIP* the community can find willing enough to teach them.
The apprenticeship normally lasts about a year, or until the humen gets tired of them, and the hob has 'learned enough'. The hob then must make the trek home and return to the goblins for graduation.
Reentering goblin society, these fresh hobs, bedecked in their fine spectacles and slightly floppy top hat, act as clerks, scribes, accountants, and all around bureaucrats. They keep the records and taxes and all that stuff straight, well as best a goblin can. After all, it was a hobgoblin that wrote the first sign for the Golbin Mark it *WIP*.
Career
Qualifications
If you can count to five and understand the differences between 'b', 'd', 'p', and 'q', you might be a hobgoblin.
Career Progression
Upon 'graduating', the hobgoblin is given its last piece of kit; a tall top hat. Much like those weird Dr. Seuss Cat-in-the-Hat striped felt top hats from the 90's, these soft hats have a bit of a brim, but the main show is the tallness of the hat; being about two head-heights tall. Often made of felt, but really any fabric will do, in striped, patterned, or plain, these hats denote an educated Hob who can at lest spell their own name and maybe your, too. There is some speculation that the top hat is a goblin's interpretation of a wizard's conical hat as only the most studious and erudite of goblins can wear the top hat.
Payment & Reimbursement
If you ever have any questions or are lost, find a hobgoblin and it will help you the best it can. Though it will be really put out if you don't give them the prerequisite bribe or forget to tip them for helping you. Payment in the standard form of buttons and other such shinnies is appreciated, cheese preferred. Goblins remember and Hobgoblins keep a running tab. If you do somehow forget the bribe and the tip, honor your debt immediately. You do not want the hobgoblin to 'repossess' you.
Other Benefits
Kick backs in dairy form or 'hush' cheese.
Perception
Purpose
To 'a count' for things.
Social Status
Hobs are seen as something of an 'other' in goblin society. They are seen as something somewhat beyond a normal goblin and somehow closer to humens because they have the capacity for more complex thoughts. And because of that, normal goblins somewhat fear and revere them. If hobs acted more like their Dwarf parents (whereas most goblins take after their Elf side) then the world would be in trouble.
Operations
Tools
Literacy, to a fault.
Basic maths: food math, button conversion rates, spider maths; spider miles, the octonary numeral system, ect.
Materials
As the mark of an apprentice, a hobgoblin will begin to wear and preform the 'spectacles'. The physical components are made of any material as long as it is in the shape of eyeglasses; wires bent into temple pieces and frame shape, cut or torn cardboard eye masks, a soda cap ring monocles, ect. It should be noted that spectacles do not have lenses in them. They are not corrective in nature, but rather part of the uniform and mindset. That mindset manifests in turning the nose up at people, to keep the mock eyeglasses from sliding off, of course. Tilting the head down so the hob can stare at you condescending as the spectacle balance at the end of their nose. And the dreaded, and dramatical; the taking off the spectacles, and thus the weary weight of their office, to signify the end of the conversation. The return of the spectacles to the face indicating a return to business. Much like the language of hand fans, the spectacle of spectacles is very nuanced.
Dangers & Hazards
While apprenticing, if the hobgoblin is given any other clothes to wear other than what they came with, e.g. a maid or butler uniform, they will be insulted and leave. Clothing is very important to goblin identity and though they are learning some humen ways, they don't want to become too humen.
Alternative Names
Affectionally and permanently renamed 'Hob'. 'Hobin' to their friends and 'Hobert/ta' if they get snooty.
Type
Administration / Management
Demand
The Goblin Markets *WIP* are all run by hobgoblins.
Related Locations
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