Goblin

Note

This article contains references to both regular goblins of Golarion, and their descendants: the 'space goblins' of the Pact Worlds. It is important to note that, while they are similar they are not the same species - however, for the sake of simplicity they are listed here under the same article.

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Goblins are disorderly, violent creatures originally from Golarion. Modern examples are an evolved, technically separate breed from their previous 'true' goblin ancestors but maintain the same general troublesome, homicidal themes that they have always held. They dwell on the fringes of other societies, scavenging amongst their waste and building their society in squalor.

Basic Information

Anatomy

A goblin is a short, emaciated-seeming goblinoid, about the size of a ysoki. They tend to have large, flat heads and long ears. Their skin favours leathery and grey complexions, often wrinkled and covered in tiny scars, warts, and scabs. Goblins grow little, if any, hair, relying on their thick skin and huddling together in groups to keep warm. They have small, beady red eyes set close together over a little pug nose, above a hideously wide mouth lined with sharp little teeth.

Biological Traits

Thanks to the rapid reproduction rate of goblins, many generations have passed since they first joined the spacefaring races. Fluctuating gravity, an entirely new diet, and the occasional radiation leak have made space goblins a distinct offshoot species from goblins. This new breed are slightly more intelligent, boasting an instinctive ability to take apart technology and rebuild it to suit their strange, frequently destructive whims. They are quicker as well, scuttling rapidly into nearby ventilation ducts after swiping unattended datapads or laser pistols.

Goblins were known for their voracious appetites, often eating their body weight each day of what passed for cuisine in the twisted mind of a goblin. Space goblins were not afforded that luxury in those early days; they had to subsist on discarded scraps of food and other garbage. As such, space goblins aren’t as insatiable, though they are no less orally fixated. There is an even chance that upon encountering a strange item, a space goblin will try to either dismantle it or eat it. A space goblin might even attempt to diagnose a problem with a small piece of technology by putting it in his mouth and tasting every part of it.

Genetics and Reproduction

Abnormally fast.

Growth Rate & Stages

Also abnormally fast.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Goblins retain their ancestors' ability to eat almost anything, from spare cabling to a fully functional laser pistol.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Goblins often live in gangs of up to 12, while established groups live in tribes that can number into the dozens, led by a chieftain and domesticating several alien pets. Though weak on their own, goblins often gather in huge numbers to overwhelm their enemies.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Due to their uncanny ability to (barely) repair most high-tech items, and occasionally their sheer overwhelming numbers in combat, goblins are often duped into serving the needs of other, more intelligent species such as hobgoblins. When their usefulness has expired, they are consistently cast aside.

Average Intelligence

The natural intellect of space goblins is surprisingly high, considering their reputation. They are able to cobble together rudimentary fixes for complicated multi-phase beam weapons with household materials after only a few seconds of inspection. Their idiotic stereotype comes instead from a phenomenally low patience threshold, inability to calculate risks, and dubious creative thinking skills.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Goblins are able to see in the dark with no trouble, up to a short distance.

Civilization and Culture

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Most goblins speak Gobbilin the majority of the time, but deign to use Common to speak with others outside their species.

Common Dress Code

Goblins often dress in rags and scraps cast off by other humanoids and bear coarsely cobbled-together equipment.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

While some space goblins still worship the goblin hero-gods of old, partially adapting their dogma to fit their current lifestyle, many more revere Triune. Their innate aptitude for using technology (without knowing how it actually works) leads them to believe that Triune has a plan for them. Some even believe it will lead them to some kind of scavenging paradise, where each dawn will bring a new piece of advanced technology to strip for parts. However, neither Triune nor their Church have yet officially acknowledged this sect of zealous goblinoids.

History

1. According to their own legends, the original ancestors of the space goblins stowed away on a starship to infiltrate Absalom Station.
2. From Absalom Station, they have stolen or captured starships to roam the Material Plane, though the largest known space goblin population still lives aboard Absalom Station.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

As a callback to their ancestors, space goblins also hate canines and horses. However, due to their own poor record-keeping (and in no small amount, the effects of the Gap) their definition of 'dog' and 'horse' has been relaxed to the point where almost any small four-legged beast is a "dog" and a large one a "horse".

Goblins chew and goblins bite,
goblins cut and goblins fight.
Stab the dog and cut the horse,
goblins kill and take by force!

Goblins race and goblins jump.
Goblins slash and goblins bump.
Burn the skin and mash the head,
Goblins here and you be dead!

Chase the baby and catch the pup.
Bonk it on the head to shut it up.
Bones be cracked, flesh be stewed,
we be goblins, you be food!

— “We Be Goblinz”, probably the most infamous of goblin ditties. A translation has been provided.

Type: Humanoid (goblinoid)
Alignment: Neutral Evil

Genetic Descendants

• Hobgoblin

Scientific Name

Parvus Homo Vexas (Annoying goblin-man)

Origin/Ancestry

Modern "space goblins" are a slightly more evolved than their classical ancestors.

Lifespan

25 years

Conservation Status

Pest/Sentient. Goblins occupy a contradictory dual status, with permission to cull unruly swarms of troublesome goblins often given in most civilised governments - and yet, those that find the restraint to function within society are afforded the rights of a citizen, including the protection of local law enforcement should a racist farmer react violently to a greenskin's attempt at a minor crime.

Average Height

91.44cm (3ft) to 106.68cm (3.5ft)

Average Weight

15.9kg (35lbs), most of the weight is in the head

Starfinder: Race