Goblin
Previously called "Goblings" or "The Children of Gob", Goblins are not viewed positively by many of the "civilized" races. Their preference for living in the woods and preferring to build things themselves instead of buying them has drawn comments not unlike those received by the Chimera of Havan. They are viewed as primitive and savage, despite the fact they are, in fact, among the most peaceful.
Goblins are sorted into four phenotypical sub-races, starting with the Woodal. The Woodal are the "standard" Goblin. All Goblins start their lives this way, with relatively large, pointed ears, and green skin. These Goblins are more or less Human in their physique and proportions. The Hazelo have much larger - almost elephant-like - ears and dark blue skin. They are built like Elves, averaging a full six inches taller than other Goblins, but weighing the same. A Gloomfoot will have purple skin and be built like a Dwarf - short and wide. Finally, the Shadewalkers are built basically the same as the Woodal, but have different colorations.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Goblins are small, four feet at the absolute most, but they have disproportionately large heads. They're not grotesquely huge, but, relative to the size of their body, Goblin's heads are out of proportion when compared to others. Aside from that and their sharp teeth, they are physically standard bipeds.
Genetics and Reproduction
Goblins reproduce sexually, but not as has been portrayed by many sources. They have a reputation for forceful conception, but that's simply not the case. Typically, they reproduce the same as other species: consensually.
Where they do differ is in the fact that a female Goblin only has a single uterus, which she expels when giving birth. This means that a Goblin mother is only able to have a single pregnancy. As the typical pregnancy results in 2-4 children, the population is still able to grow, but it makes that single pregnancy very important.
Growth Rate & Stages
Due to their large birth numbers, Goblins have extremely low birth weights. This causes their infancy to last for three years, as they do some what would be fetal development in a Human, Elf, or Dwarf after being born. When they are infants, they are breastfed, unable to cut their teeth until after infancy.
Once they are Juveniles, they will develop into one of the four subspecies of Goblins as a sort of on-the-fly evolution. This isn't truly what's occurring, as it's actually phenotypical traits manifesting, but, as all Goblins start in the same form, it does appear as though that's what's happening. At this point, they will also have all their teeth come in. However, in this stage, they are still only half their full size.
After they are about ten, they will enter the Adolescent stage. This is when they'll begin to exhibit some of the more classically Goblin characteristics like kleptomania. They will have terrible impulse control during this period, as their minds are flooded with the chemicals that will cause them to double in size over the span of four years. These young Goblins suffer the worst from the prejudices against their kind.
After that, they are physically Matured. They will likely take another three years or so to settle the habits of youth, but their bodies are finished developing.
Ecology and Habitats
Goblins thrive in cool, wooded places. Anywhere there are large amounts of lichen and mushroom growth, Goblins will be deeply comfortable. This is for multiple reasons, not the least of which is their using the large hardwood trees of such areas for their homes. Goblins are famous for hollowing trees or using the canopy to build a treetop network of houses. There is also the fact that these environments are perfect for the fermented and pickled foods they make.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Goblins are omnivores, but they mostly eat plants - despite their many sharp teeth. Their preferred diet is pickled meat, root vegetables, and mushrooms, either in soup or fire roasted. One of their favorite foods - a delicacy as far as they are concerned - is an old version of sushi they picked up from some Yugawan traders back in the mid-Age of Exploration. "Narezushi" is fermented fish pickled with rice. First, the fish is scaled, gutted and preserved in salt for a few months. Then, it's combined with rice and left to ferment. Though they have salt in abundance, Goblins rarely have rice on hand, thus the delicacy of the dish.
Additional Information
Facial characteristics
Their eyes have a certain glow to them. They also have a mouth full of sharp teeth. They have relatively large ears, though exactly how large is a major variable. They typically have small, upturned noses.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Average Intelligence
Goblins are actually quite ingenious. They are on par with Dwarves for their skill in crafting, but they are also amazing improvised engineers. They use a lot of junk items to create machines. These lack the same resilience that more traditional fabrications have, but this outside-of-the-box thinking allows them to do things that would otherwise be impossible for people that live in trees in the woods.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Goblins are nocturnal, meaning that they have excellent sight. They also have incredible hearing, owed to their large ears. Beyond that, they actually have a very good sense of taste and smell, they just like foods many others would be repulsed by.
Civilization and Culture
History
During the Age of Lords, attempts were made to subjugate the Goblins and put them to work as craftspeople - not unlike what occurred with the Dwarves in Aberia - but this was repelled by the Goblins.
Genetic Descendants
Scientific Name
Barbos Dimunae
Lifespan
80
Average Height
3ft
Average Weight
40lbs
Average Physique
Goblins are small, and that extends to their build. They tend to have very round faces, but they aren't pudgy. They also will rarely be particularly muscular.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
They will be dark blue if they are a Hazelo, green in the case of a Woodal, purple for a Gloomfoot, or tan and dark brown for a Shadewalker. In the case of the Shadewalker, their coloration is tan for their nose down and the undersides of their arms, and darkbrown from their nose up, tops of their arms, and back.
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