Goblins

If the likes of humans, elves, and dwarves are considered the salt of the earth, then goblins are certainly the scum of it, or at least that's what classical interpretations would have you believe.
In truth, goblinkind is as varied and storied as any other race of Archaios. While folktales and fables depict goblins as raving lunatics that roam the badlands and prey upon merchant caravans, goblins can be found across all walks of life. Indeed, many do live in secluded, wilderness communities (and engage in the errant raid or two, but who doesn't?), but many have integrated themselves into metropolitan settings as well.
Physically, goblins are diminutive but agile creatures; roughly the same height and build as most Halflings. They tend to be crafty and adroit builders with what tools and materials they have on hand, thanks to a long history of making do off of what they could scavenge. They are also short-lived; physically maturing around age 10 and only living about half as long as the average human. This lends to goblins' tendencies to constantly be on the move and seeking out new work, new love, and new adventure.
Evolutionarily speaking, it is believed goblins share a distant common ancestor with the likes of halflings and gnomes, though the sheer variety of goblin sub-species like hobgoblins and bugbears throws a wrinkle in this idea. Because of this, some scholars believe that goblins and their cousins can trace their ancestry back to Fey creatures, perhaps thanks to the fallout of a long-forgotten Convergence of the Planes.