There are dozens of creation myths for the Goblinoid races, but the truth is no one knows how they came to be. What is known is that they first came from the tropical island called The Cracked Skull.
The island’s limited habitable land area was the source of generations of conflict between their lines. The ruthless Hobgoblin kingdom of Regler controlled most of the island for years, during which they enslaved other goblinoids. Many on the Cracked Skull longed to see the green peaks over the horizon and took to the sea. The descendants of these travelers are found all over Arvor.
Bugbears
These larger, hairier goblinoids kept largely to themselves in the jungles until warring hobgoblin clans invaded for lumber. Individually, the bugbears were generally stronger fighters, but their small family-oriented groups were not collectively organized to resist.
Those who cooperated with their conquerors were enlisted as slave- soldiers and given preferable treatment. As a result, most of today’s bugbears descend from those that surrendered to their invaders. For this reason, not much is known of historical bugbear societies.
Bugbears have much longer arms than most other humanoids, and typically engage with others at greater distances
Goblins
Goblins are the smallest and most numerous of the goblinoid races. Goblin traditions centered play and guile. Nearly every goblin holiday features pranks or trickery, and it’s common for goblins to open a conversation with a blatant lie. A bigger whopper in return will have you welcomed as family.
The goblin slave Doogie of Pferd was sleeping in the tall grass on a sandy beach when he was caught by one of his minders. Dragged before the local Regler captain, he was interrogated for show before his punishment. The waving grass caught his eye, and inspiration struck. He had been working on a project, he said, and it was for the king! Snatching up a bit of waving cane, he crafted the first reed instrument. Its sound pleased the local reeve, and Doogie was put to work as court bard.
Doogie’s work eventually culminated in his masterpiece: the bagpipes. Today nearly every goblin band has at least one.
Hobgoblins
The Hobgoblin kingdoms were highly militarized societies. In those days, all hobgoblins were enlisted in the army at age 16. Most were soldiers, but those with arcane talents became devastators: wizards harnessing potent methods of evocation to rain fire down on the battle.
This military influence is still seen in hobgoblin traditions. Many families view strength as a key virtue, training all their children in the use of the traditional weapons and armor of their house.
The old kingdom of Regler once conquered most of the Cracked Skull, gathering up all goblinoids in its iron fist. The remnants of House Regler still act as a rump state over parts of the island, but across the sea the weakened House Regler is but a cautionary tale to many.
