Goblin

Goblins are a diminutive, numerous and resourceful people. An eusocial species, goblins can often come off as being slightly alien to other species, often considering themselves part of a greater whole. Their society is divided into three castes. the common caste is what most people think of when they hear goblin. They are small, numerous and not always too bright. The noble caste is next, where goblin experts, commanders, generals and so on can be found. Leaders of the goblin hive, they ensure everything functions. The heart of the hive is the noble caste, the goblin queen. These beings dwarf their fellow goblins and serve as the ultimate authority. They are the lifeblood of the hive, being the only goblins that can give birth. Heavily individualistic goblins are rare and considered odd, if not outright mentally ill, by their fellows. 
Goblins are very inventive and gladly recycle anything they can get their hands on, reusing thrown out garbage and detritus in their own industry. Some places even specifically ally with nearby goblin hives as an easy way to get rid of their trash. Goblins use these things to invent a variety of dohickeys and thingamajigs, with varying rate of success. Some of these experiments become stable designs and part of the regular equipment of the goblins.
In battle, goblins fight without hesitation or fear. Common caste goblins are used on all fronts and the nobles will not hesitate to sacrifice them if it is deemed necessary for the hive to win the conflict. The common caste goblins see no issue with this and the end result can be frighteningly effective suicide attacks that often dissuade enemies from further conflict.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Goblins are hairless being with pinkish, wrinkly skin. They have two legs and two arms, with claws well suited for working with earth. They also possess a small, stumpy tail. A goblin's respiratory system is robust and works well even in low oxygen areas, As a result, they are well protected against inhaled dangers. They also do not poses a sense of fear in the classical sense. The closest a goblin feels to fear is better compared to a deep concern in other species. Goblins are used to live in very dense groups and can sort through participating in five to eight conversations at once. Goblin size varies heavily between the royal, noble and common castes.

Biological Traits

Goblins are divided up in three castes, the common, noble and royal caste. Common goblins are the smallest, with nobles being larger and royals the largest. Promotion to higher castes also usually drastically increases the lifespan of the goblin in question.

Genetics and Reproduction

The goblin queen mates with a selection of male goblins from the noble and common classes in order to produce a varied litter of goblins. Her womb carries many eggs simultaneously, allowing for batches of young with many different fathers. Pregnancy last fifty to sixty cycles and goblins are born in bunches of ten to twenty individuals.

Growth Rate & Stages

Newborn goblins are very small and are collectively cared for in the goblin nurseries. A goblin is fully grown and considered an adult one to two years after birth. Should a goblin demonstrate useful and valuable skills, they might be promoted to the noble caste. The queen showers the chosen goblins in pheromones that triggers a growth spurt over the next year or so. A female goblin of the noble caste might be promoted to queen, if the current queen is getting old or the goblin hive gets too big and needs to split. An extra dose of pheromones triggers a second, even greater growth spurt, lasting two to three years.

Ecology and Habitats

Goblins live in a variety of environments, with a preference of hilly areas where they can easily dig out burrows.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Goblins are omnivorous, gathering food through a mixture of foraging, hunting and farming.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Goblins live in dense hives. They are incredibly sociable and often find the societies of other species disturbingly quiet. In a goblin hive, the air is filled with a constant din of chatter as goblins eagerly communicate their every thought with one another. Goblins have no concept of private property. Everything is shared, though some items are mostly used by those skilled in their use. This sometimes lead to friction with other races. Goblins are very communal and the hive as a whole is their main concern. Combined with their literal fearlessness, goblins display are high capacity for sef-sacrifice, individual members willingly giving their lives for the hive as a whole. Especially the common caste is expected to sacrifice themselves for the higher castes, though even the noble caste will give up their lives to protect the royal caste, which are the heart of the colony. A goblin hive who loses their queen must petition another hive to either gift them a worthy new queen or uplift one of their own females of the royalcaste. A goblin hive that cannot replace its queen is doomed to die out.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Goblins are a common species found in many spheres.

Average Intelligence

Goblin intelligence varies wildly between individuals, though in general those of higher castes tends to be cleverer and smarter. Goblins do demonstrate a degree of communal intelligence, where through constant communication, a group of goblins can figure out a solution they individually could not.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Goblins have a dulled sense of pain, registering even cuts and deep injuries mostly has an uncomfortable buzzing.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Goblin names tend to be short with sharp sounds, the better to get somebody's attention in a crowd of hundreds.

Average Technological Level

Balloon Armor: Armor designed to grant limited flight capacity. Bomb Jacket: Armor that doubles as an explosive. Boom Blade: Sword that doubles as an explosive. Fancy Plate: Protective armor for the noble caste. Fancy Royal Plate: Protective armor for the royal caste. Fireslam: Battle hammer designed for the noble caste. Megamaul: Battle hammer designed for the royal caste. Shotshield: Shield and shotgun combines. Spiky Sling Bullet: Ammunition that takes advantage of the goblins' inability to feel conventional pain. Spring Spear: Enhanced spear. Super Slingshot: Enhanced slingshot.

Scientific Name

Legionem Talpa

Lifespan

Common Caste: 5-10 years. Noble Caste: 30-60 years. Royal 90-110 years.

Average Height

Common Caste: 0.6-1.0 meters tall. Noble Caste: 1.5 to 2.0 meters. Royal Caste: 2.5-3.0 meters.

Average Weight

Common Caste: 40-70 kilo. Noble Caste: 70-110 kilo. Royal Caste: 110-150 kilo.