Hobgoblin

Hobgoblins are a fierce humanoid race that wage a perpetual war with the other humanoid races. They are intelligent, organized, and aggressive.
The typical hobgoblin is a burly humanoid standing 6½' tall. Their hairy hides range from dark reddish-brown to dark gray. Their faces show dark red or red-orange skin. Large males have blue or red noses. Hobgoblin eyes are either yellowish or dark brown while their teeth are yellow. Their garments tend to be brightly colored, often bold, blood red. Any leather is always tinted black. Hobgoblin weaponry is kept polished and repaired.
Hobgoblins speak a dialect of Goblinoid. Roughly 20% of them can speak the common tongue of man.
Combat: Hobgoblins in a typical force will be equipped with polearms (30%), morningstars (20%), swords and bows (20%), spears (10%), swords and spears (10%), swords and morning stars (5%), or swords and whips (5%).
Hobgoblins fight equally well in bright light or virtual darkness, having infrared vision, in addition to normal sight.
Hobgoblins hate elves and always attack them first.
Habitat/Society: Hobgoblins are nightmarish mockeries of the humanoid races who have a military society organized in tribal bands. Each tribe is intensely jealous of its status. Chance meetings with other tribes will result in verbal abuse (85%) or open fighting (15%). Hobgoblin tribes are found in almost any climate or subterranean realm.
A typical tribe of hobgoblins will have between 20 and 200 (2d10×10) adult male warriors. In addition, for every 20 male hobgoblins there will be a leader (known as a sergeant) and two assistants. Groups numbering over 100 are led by a sub-chief. If the hobgoblins are encountered in their lair, they will be led by a chief. The chief has 5-20 (5d4) sub-chiefs acting as bodyguards. Leaders and chiefs always carry two weapons.
Each tribe has a distinctive battle standard which is carried into combat to inspire the troops. If the tribal chief is leading the battle, he will carry the standard with him, otherwise it will be held by one of his sub-chiefs.
In addition to the warriors present in a hobgoblin tribe, there will be half again that many females and three times as many children as adult males.
Fully 80% of all known hobgoblin lairs are subterranean complexes. The remaining 20% are surface villages which are fortified with a ditch, fence, 2 gates, and 3-6 guard towers. Villages are often built upon ruined humanoid settlements and may incorporate defensive features already present in the ruins.
Hobgoblin villages possess artillery in the form of 2 heavy catapults, 2 light catapults, and a ballista for each 50 warriors. Underground complexes may be guarded by 2-12 carnivorous apes (60%).
They are highly adept at mining and can detect new construction, sloping passages, and shifting walls 40% of the time.
Ecology: Hobgoblins feel superior to goblins and may act as leaders for them. In such cases, the "lesser races" are used as battle fodder. Hobgoblin mercenaries may work for powerful or rich evil humanoids.

Additional Information

Average Intelligence

Hobgoblins tend to have average intellect.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Low-light Vision
Infrared Vision

Civilization and Culture

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Goblinoid

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Hobgoblins can breed with many different species, especially, humanoids, giant-kin, and fey.

Origin/Ancestry

Goblinoid/ Humanoid

Lifespan

About 2/3 that of a human

Conservation Status

Uncommon

Average Height

~6'

Average Physique

Hobgoblins that are a part of a tribe tend to get plenty of exercise for their military training. Those that live outside the tribe may not be as healthy.