Androphage
Concerning the Vile Androphage
Androphages, despite their horrible appearance possesseth speech and wit. Pushed to the outskirts of civilized lands, they maketh their abodes in the foothills and forests lying at the base of mountain ranges; by reason hereof, they oftentimes come into contention with those Human and Nanic nations that border the wilderness. Androphages consisteth of three principal kinds: the Gobalus, the Nightwalker, and the Beastman.
Basic Information
Anatomy
The anatomy of Androphages is like unto that of both Human and Alvus, as well as the Nanos, causing many scholars of natural philosophy to muse whether there be any further correspondency betwixt the four races.
Biological Traits
Goblins
Goblins are diminutive creatures that stand around three and a half feet tall and weight 40 to 60 lbs. They dwell in cavernous lairs just below the surface of Tel. Goblins are known for their fecundity. The average Goblin build is small and lithe, with long arms and spidery fingers that assist them in crawling as they navigate the caverns that are their natural home.
Nightwalkers
In contrast to Goblins, Nightwalkers stand almost a head taller than the average human being and possess muscular, large builds that serve them when administering powerful blows in both armed and unarmed melee. Despite their size, Nightwalkers' innate strength also provide them with explosive speed when sprinting into combat or swinging a weapon down onto a hapless foe. Nightwalkers often use their greater physical prowess and intelligence to impress the weaker Goblins and less cunning Beastment living among them into servitude.
Beastmen
Beastmen are even larger and stronger than the Nightwalkers, however they are not as intelligent. Unlike the other Goblinoids, Beastmen are covered with a thick coat of fur that provides camouflage and warmth in the montane forests they often call home.
Genetics and Reproduction
Goblinoids reproduce sexually, and have two biological sexes; however, they do not display a great deal of sexual dimorphism. Length of gestation varies among the subspecies, with Nightwalker females typically experiencing a gestation of 10 months before bearing offspring whereas Goblin females have pregnancies that last 7 months.
While it is possible for Golbins and Nightwalkers to breed with one another, the offspring typically displays the characteristics of a Goblin; although, the child is often strong and taller than the average Goblin. 25 percent of such couplings, however, will produce offspring with a greater amount of Nightwalker features.
Ecology and Habitats
The optimal habitat for Goblinoid settlement is hilly terrain with a warm, dry subtropical climate.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Goblins and Nightwalkers are omnivores with the ability to consume nutrients from a wide range of sources, including carrion, fungi, and blood; however, they prefer to consume the flesh and organ meats of warm-blooded ruminants. On the other hand, Beastmen are pure carnivores who only consume flesh, blood, and offal, with a preference for humanoids.
Additional Information
Social Structure
As a sapient species, Goblinoids are capable of forming complex social groupings. Most commonly, they elect to organize themselves into various tribes that consist of several autonomous warbands who come into conflict with one another just as much as they agree to combine forces to overtake common threats. Within a tribal confederation, Nightwalkers use their innate physical strength to rule over the Goblins and Beastmen as a warrior-leader caste.
Facial characteristics
Goblins have flat faces with platyrrine noses and large mouths filled with sharp fangs. Due to the shape of their skulls, they have large eye sockets, sloped-back foreheads, and pointed chins. Nightwalkers also have long pointed ears that allow them to quickly locate the direction of incoming sounds. On the other hand, Nightwalkers possess broad faces that possess almost feline features, with large eye sockets and long canine teeth. Like other Goblinoids, they have platyrrhine noses and long, pointed ears.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Goblinoids are endemic to the continents of Ione and Aerisca. At certain times in Telian history, isolated tribes preying on the caravans that travel the Dragon Silk Road have made their way to the westernmost borders of Sericonia, however, the Xianese Empire is typically ruthless in extripating interlopers and no permanent presence has ever been established in Xian.
Average Intelligence
Goblins
At first glance, Goblin intelligence may seem somewhat dulled when compared to their Nightwalker cousins, but it cannot be denied they possess a certain cunning of which the unfortunate learn when they underestimate Goblin warbands and fall victim to an ambush.
Nightwalkers
Nightwalkers possess similar intellectual capacity to Humans. However, compared to the average Human, Nightwalkers are less likely to be able to moderate their emotional state; as such, Nightwalkers are known for a tendency to react with rage and violence when stressed.
Beastmen
While not as intelligent as Nightwalkers, Beastmen prove to be cunning warriors with an almost innate understanding of skirmish tactics. The deep rage within Beastmen is even more powerful than Nightwalkers; a fact that has kept them from displacing the Nightwalkers as the dominant force in Goblinoid society, despite their larger size.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
All Goblinoids possess a form of monochromatic vision that allows them to effectively navigate in subterranean darkness.
Civilization and Culture
Average Technological Level
Goblinoid civilizations on Tel are capable of forging tools and weapons of iron and low-quality steel.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
The Goblinoids of Aerisca Borealis speak Wemhavian.
Common Myths and Legends
A common belief among Goblinoid cultures is that they were created by the Draconic demi-gods of the Third Age to serve as soliders and overseers of the slave-races of Humans, Nanoi, and Alvi. As such, they view the events of the Dracomachia and the beginning of the Fourth Age as a blasphemous upheaval of the natural order of Tel, in which they have the sacred duty to rectify through the destruction of Fourth Age civilization so that the dragons may return to their former glory. Surely, they believe, the dragons will reward them for their eons of loyality if victory over the three slave-races was ever achieved.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
As Goblinoids favor settling in the foothills at the bases of mountain ranges, they often come into conflict with Nanoi over territory. Likewise, they tend to prey on Human caravans traveling through mountain passes, as most Goblinoid tribes survive through banditry and raiding.
- Goblin: 40 to 60 lbs.
- Nightwalker: 170 to 250 lbs.
- Beastman: 250-350 lbs.
Originating from hilly, dry scrubland, Goblinoid coloration mimics the hues found in such terrain, ranging from a sickly shade of greenish-yellow to a reddish ochre.
