Goblins

Basic Information

Growth Rate & Stages

Sylvagorian Goblins have a relatively fast growth rate, reaching adulthood at around 10 years of age. Their early years are spent primarily in the care of their elders and mothers, learning survival skills and clan traditions. As children, they grow quickly, developing physical agility and keen senses. By the age of 5, they are already able to assist with simple tasks like gathering or setting basic traps. At 10, they transition into adulthood, becoming fully capable hunters, gatherers, or warriors.
The lifespan of a Sylvagorian Goblin is about 60 years, with their physical prime occurring in their 20s and 30s. After this point, they begin to slow down, with many becoming elders and passing on their wisdom by the age of 50. Elders are highly respected within the clan, and they continue to play important roles in decision-making and guidance. Despite their relatively short lives, Goblins remain active and vital throughout most of their lifespan, contributing to their clan's survival until their final years.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Sylvagorian Goblins are both hunters and gatherers. They hunt small game, fish, and even scavenge from larger creatures, using sharp claws, crude weapons, and traps to capture prey. As gatherers, they forage for edible plants, roots, berries, and fungi, depending on their environment. They store food in hidden caches or in simple storage

areas, often using the natural terrain like caves or tree hollows for protection. Goblins are resourceful, making sure their food supplies are well-hidden and safeguarded from scavengers or rival clans.

Behaviour

Sylvagorian Goblins are generally fearful and prefer to avoid combat, hiding whenever possible. They seek to evade conflict unless faced with hunger or food scarcity, in which case they may form larger groups and attack difficult targets to secure food for their clan. Their deep knowledge of their environment makes them almost impossible to find, as they are well-hidden and blend seamlessly into their surroundings. The greatest chance of encountering them occurs when humans accidentally stumble near their settlements. However, they are highly territorial and aggressive toward anyone who encroaches upon or threatens their home. If discovered, they will typically relocate their entire settlement to a better-hidden spot, as their simple dwellings are easy to dismantle and move.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Goblin clans are typically made up of 30 to 70 members. In larger clans of around 70, the breakdown often includes 20 children, 40 adults, and 10 elders. The clan is led by a war chief, usually from a respected family, who holds the highest authority. Women typically serve as gatherers, foraging for food and herbs, and protecting the young. However, about half of the adults, regardless of gender, take on the roles of hunters or warriors, ensuring the safety of the clan through defense and hunting. This structure emphasizes a balance of roles, with leadership, protection, and resource gathering all shared across the community.

Facial characteristics

Goblins have distinct and rugged facial features suited to their wild, harsh environments:
Eyes: Large, bulbous, and adapted for low-light conditions, often glowing yellow, red, or green. Their wide eyes give them exceptional night vision.
Teeth: Sharp, pointed teeth that protrude slightly from their lower jaw, ideal for tearing through meat or tough plants. They often have a row of jagged, razor-like teeth.
Nose: Broad, flattened noses that help them filter out dust and smoke from their surroundings, with flared nostrils for better scent detection.
Ears: Long, pointed ears that are highly sensitive to sounds, aiding them in detecting predators or prey.
Skin: The skin is often rough, mottled, and earth-toned, ranging from swampy greens to bark-like browns, depending on their environment. It can have a somewhat leathery or rough texture.
Jawline: Strong, with a protruding underbite, giving them a more primitive and animalistic appearance.
Facial Expression: Often sharp, with a hint of cunning or mischief. They may also have scars or marks from their survival-focused lifestyle.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

The Sylvagorian Goblins are primarily found on the continent of Syndaras, a vast and diverse landmass marked by a wide range of ecosystems. They inhabit a variety of environments, each suited to their adaptive nature. In the swamps, their amphibious kin thrive in the murky waters and dense, damp foliage, blending seamlessly with the marshlands. To the north, dense forests provide shelter for agile goblins, who dwell in the thick canopies and hidden groves, utilizing their camouflage skills to remain unseen. The rocky highlands to the east are home to the toughest of the Sylvagorian goblins, whose stone-like skin and resilience allow them to endure the harsh, rugged terrain. Meanwhile, in the grasslands, goblins roam the wide, open plains, living in small, mobile clans that are adept at blending into the vast fields of tall grass. These varied regions create a highly dispersed population of Sylvagorian goblins, each clan shaped by the land they occupy, yet all bound by a shared cultural identity - Sylvagorians

Average Intelligence

The average intelligence of Goblins is generally considered below average compared to more advanced, civilized races, but they possess a high degree of practical intelligence. They are resourceful and cunning, able to survive in harsh environments using simple tools and techniques that require cleverness and adaptability. Their ability to build traps, craft weapons from basic materials, and navigate treacherous terrains demonstrates their problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. However, their intellectual pursuits tend to be more instinctual and survival-focused rather than abstract or scholarly.
In terms of average intelligence on a scale, they would likely fall around a 80-95 IQ range (on the human scale), with variations depending on individual goblins' talents or experiences. Some goblins might be particularly clever or gifted at a specific craft, while others may be more brute-force oriented, showing more primitive traits but still effective in their environment.
While they may not engage in high-level education or complex strategies, they excel in practical knowledge and street-smart thinking, allowing them to thrive in their wild, untamed environments.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Goblins have highly developed senses suited for survival in their harsh environments. Their vision is adapted for low-light conditions, with large, bulbous eyes that provide excellent night vision and the ability to detect movement in darkness. Their hearing is sharp, thanks to long, pointed ears that can pick up even the faintest sounds, helping them detect threats or prey. Goblins also have an acute sense of smell, allowing them to track animals, identify danger, or find food in the wild. In some cases, their connection to nature grants them a form of extrasensory awareness, enabling them to sense changes in the environment, such as shifts in the weather or the presence of other creatures nearby. This heightened perception makes them incredibly adept at avoiding danger and thriving in their untamed habitats.

Civilization and Culture

Beauty Ideals

Goblins do not have traditional beauty ideals as seen in more civilized cultures. Instead, their perception of beauty is rooted in strength, survival skills, and practicality. Physical attractiveness is often tied to an individual’s ability to contribute to the clan’s survival. Muscle tone, sharpness of teeth, and agility are admired, as they reflect the ability to hunt, fight, or gather. Scars from battle or survival may also be seen as symbols of resilience and bravery, enhancing one's status within the clan. Additionally, Goblins value camouflage and adaptability to their environment, with natural skin markings or coloration seen as beautiful if they enhance survival and stealth. Ultimately, beauty is judged by a Goblin's usefulness and capability, rather than superficial features.

Common Dress Code

Sylvagorian Goblins have a practical dress code that focuses on functionality and survival. Their clothing is typically made from animal hides, leather, and woven plant fibers, crafted using basic tools and materials found in their environment. They wear simple tunics or loincloths, designed for ease of movement and durability, especially while hunting or gathering. In colder climates, they might wear fur-lined garments for warmth. Armor, if worn, is usually rudimentary—composed of bone, stone, or scrap metal—and is often designed for protection rather than decoration. Accessories are sparse but may include bone necklaces, feathers, or teeth as trophies or symbols of status.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Goblins have a culture deeply rooted in survival, community, and nature. Their heritage emphasizes self-reliance, as every member of the clan plays a vital role in ensuring the group's continued existence. Elders are the primary keepers of knowledge, passing down the history of the clan and its rituals through verbal folklore. They share stories of ancient struggles, tribal heroes, and the spirit of the wild, instilling a sense of pride and resilience in younger generations.
It is common for clan members to gather in large numbers around the fire to eat and listen to the elders' tales. These storytelling sessions often serve as both entertainment and education, as young goblins learn about their heritage, traditions, and the importance of their survival skills. Many young goblins enjoy these gatherings, finding great value in the wisdom shared through the spoken word.
Rituals are often tied to the natural world, such as harvest or hunting festivals to honor the spirits of the forest, swamp, or rock, where food and resources are shared in unity. Feasts are communal and often a celebration of successful hunts or raids. Their craftwork, from weapon making to simple architecture, is valued for its practicality and efficiency rather than decoration. The clan leader, often the war chief, is a central figure, but leadership is based on respect earned through wisdom and bravery, not birthright.
Sylvagorian Goblins also share a bond with their environment, believing that the land itself holds spiritual significance. The way they adapt to and respect nature is central to their identity, and their cultural practices are designed to maintain balance with the world around them.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

One common custom is the Feast of the Hunt, where the clan celebrates successful hunts or raids. The meat from the hunt is shared communally, and the clan gathers around the fire to eat, tell stories, and honor the spirits of the animals they’ve hunted. This is a time for both celebration and respect, as the goblins believe the spirits of the animals must be honored to ensure the continued availability of prey.

Another important tradition is the Naming Rite for young goblins. At the age of 10, goblins undergo a ritual to receive their clan name, marking their transition into adulthood. This ceremony is led by the elders, who offer blessings and share ancient wisdom with the young, reinforcing the importance of their role within the clan.

Sylvagorian Goblins also observe a Rite of Passage, where young goblins must prove their worth by completing a dangerous task, such as hunting a particularly elusive prey or surviving alone in the wild for a time. This is seen as a test of bravery, strength, and cunning, vital for gaining respect within the clan.

Finally, ancestral worship plays a key role in their customs. Goblins honor their ancestors through small rituals and offerings, often placing objects like bones, stones, or feathers at sacred sites deep within their territory. These sites are considered holy, and only the most trusted clan members are allowed to visit them.

Common Taboos

Desecrating Sacred Sites: It is strictly forbidden to disturb or defile the ancestral sites or places of worship. These areas, where offerings are left for their ancestors, are considered holy and any act of disrespect toward them is seen as a grave offense, inviting bad luck or anger from the spirits.
Killing Clan Members: Goblins are deeply bound by their clan loyalty, and violence against clan members is a major taboo. Internal disputes are often settled with harsh words or challenges but never to the point of deadly conflict. A member who kills another within the clan is considered a traitor and is either exiled or punished severely.
Harming the Land: They hold a deep connection with nature, and wanton destruction of the environment is forbidden. They believe that the land provides for them, and overharvesting, pollution, or unnecessary destruction of their natural surroundings is considered a grave disrespect to the spirits of the earth.
Dishonoring the Elders: Elders are the keepers of wisdom and history, and disrespecting or defying them is seen as a serious transgression. Any goblin who challenges or disregards the guidance of elders risks being ostracized or losing their place in the clan.
Breaking Clan Unity: Disharmony within the clan is a taboo that could lead to disastrous consequences. Goblins believe that a fractured clan is vulnerable to outside threats, so acts that sow division, such as betrayal or undermining the clan leader’s authority, are met with harsh consequences.
Consuming Human, goblin or similar flesh: While Sylvagorian Goblins are opportunistic hunters, they have a strong taboo against consuming human flesh. It is considered a violation of the natural order and an insult to the spirits, leading to severe spiritual consequences for those who break this rule.

Elders

Hold a position of deep respect and authority, revered for their wisdom, experience, and connection to the past. They are the keepers of the clan’s oral history, passing down stories, traditions, and survival knowledge to younger generations. Their long lives and accumulated experiences make them the most trusted figures in the clan, often looked to for guidance in times of conflict or crisis. Elders are seen as the bridge between the past and the present, ensuring the clan’s customs and values are upheld. Physically, the elders tend to be more fragile and less active than the younger members, but their sharp minds and keen insight make them invaluable. They are often the ones to lead important rituals and ceremonies, and their counsel is sought by the war chief and other leaders. Despite their physical decline, the elders' spiritual and emotional strength is immense, as they carry the collective wisdom of the clan and guide it toward survival. Elders also play an important role in conflict resolution, mediating between the younger, more hot-headed members, and ensuring the unity of the clan is maintained.

"In the heart of the wild, I found more than survival; I found a people bound not by law, but by the land itself. The goblins are not merely creatures of the forest, swamp, and stone—they are the forest, the swamp, and the stone. To understand them is to understand the very pulse of the earth."

— Merrill Sylvagor, Scholar and Explorer

Scientific Name

Homo sapiens-sapiens

Lifespan

60 years

Average Height

90 - 120 centimeters

Average Weight

20 - 35 kilograms

Average Physique

Goblins have an average physique characterized by small, wiry builds. They are agile and muscular for their size, typically standing around 90 to 120 cm tall and weighing 20 to 35 kg. Their bodies are well-adapted for quick movements and endurance, with strong limbs for climbing, digging, and running. While not exceptionally strong, they are tough and resilient, capable of enduring harsh environments.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Sylvagorian Goblins have skin colors and markings that match their environments. Swamp Goblins are greenish with mottled patterns, Forest Goblins are brown and green with leaf-like markings, Rock Goblins have gray skin with stone-like textures, and Grassland Goblins sport green, brown, and yellow with striped or spotted patterns. These features help them blend seamlessly into their surroundings.

Geographic Distribution

• Syndaras

Related Ethnicities

• Sylvagorians

Discovered by

Merrill Sylvagor

The Feast of the Hunt

Is one of the most important and revered traditions among Sylvagorian Goblins. Celebrated after a successful hunt or raid, this event is a communal gathering where the entire clan comes together to share the spoils of their hunt. The feast is a time for gratitude, where goblins offer thanks to the spirits of the animals they’ve hunted, ensuring their continued favor. Meat from the hunt is roasted over an open fire, and all members, from the youngest to the oldest, partake in the meal. It is also a time for storytelling, as elders recount tales of past hunts, heroic deeds, and ancient legends, strengthening the clan’s bonds and passing on vital survival knowledge. The feast is not only a celebration of sustenance but also of community, as the clan unites in joy, sharing both food and stories, reaffirming their connection to the wild and each other.