Goblin

Goblins are small, black-hearted, selfish Goblinoids that lair in caves, abandoned mines, despoiled dungeons, and other dismal settings. Individually weak, goblins gather in large-sometimes overwhelming-numbers. They crave power and regularly abuse whatever authority they obtain.

Basic Information

Ecology and Habitats

Challenging Lairs. Goblins festoon their lairs with alarms designed to signal the arrival of intruders. Those lairs are also riddled with narrow tunnels and bolt-holes that human-sized creatures can't navigate, but which goblins can crawl through with ease, allowing them to flee or to circle around and surprise their enemies. Rat Keepers and Wolf Riders. Goblins have an affinity for rats and wolves, raising them to serve as companions and mounts, respectively. Like rats, goblins shun sunlight and sleep underground during the day. Like wolves, they are pack hunters, made bolder by their numbers. When they hunt from the backs of wolves, goblins use hit-and-run attacks.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Leaders and Followers. Goblins are ruled by the strongest or smartest among them. A goblin boss might command a single lair, while a goblin king or queen (who is nothing more than a glorified goblin boss) rules hundreds of goblins, spread out among multiple lairs to ensure the tribe's survival. Goblin bosses are easily ousted, and many goblin tribes are taken over by hobgoblin warlords or bugbear chiefs.

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Malicious Glee. Motivated by greed and malice, goblins can't help but celebrate the few times they have the upper hand. They dance, caper with sheer joy when victory is theirs. Once their revels have ended, goblins delight in the torment of other creatures and embrace all manner of wickedness.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Due to their weakness, many species exploit goblins as slaves and workers. Their high population can provide a great resource of expendable troops for various Goblinoid war-bands. To humanoids and demi-human species, goblins are more of a nuisance and are not useful in any way. There are many expeditions lead out to eliminate goblin lairs as they threaten farmlands and cattle.

Average Intelligence

Goblins have an average intelligence similar to that of common folk. They lack foresight and have a wisdom that is below that of an average person. (-1) They lack charm and don't tend to have a grasp on social ques, they are below the average Charisma of most people. (-1)

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

With their extensive time in caves Goblins have a darkvision up to 60ft. Goblins have a slightly distracted sense of surrounding (Passive Perception 9)

Civilization and Culture

Average Technological Level

Goblins can forge simple items with the help of their larger stronger cousins. Otherwise, their crafting capabilities are limited to simple bone weapons and huts. A fairly primitive ideology and with no need for luxury, the goblins prefer to tinker with traps and triggers, this they are adept in.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Most Goblins are only able to speak their native tongue, Goblinoid. However some have developed the ability to speak Common like the humanoid races of Toril.

Scientific Name

Goblinoid

Origin/Ancestry

Goblinoids. Goblins belong to a family of creatures called Goblinoids. Their larger cousins, hobgoblins and bugbears, like to bully goblins into submission. Goblins are lazy and undisciplined, making them poor servants, laborers, and guards.

Lifespan

Goblins can live up to the age of 60, however tend to die of conflict or disease prior to becoming an elder.

Average Height

2-4 ft. (small)

Average Physique

Goblins tend to be weaker than the average man due to their small size. (-1) They are very agile and move much more Dexterously than the average person. (+2) They can hold their breath for about a minute, and have a comparable Constitution to average people. (+/- 0)