Goblin Culture - Caravans and Tribes
The smallest of the Greenskin races, Goblins are found across the Continent of Astiria. A large majority of them live in The Orcish Tribelands, living alongside Orcs, Hobgoblins and Bugbears. There are also small "tribes" of Goblins that wander the land, leading a nomadic lifestyle, living off whatever they find in their travels.
Life amongst the Greenskins
The Orcish Tribelands hosts the largest population of Goblins, who live amongst the Great Tribes of the Greenskins. Such a life is not an easy one, as the more physically-capable Orcs, Hobgoblins and Bugbears often take charge, being the decision-makers and Chiefs of the Tribe. For this reason, Goblins find themselves at the bottom of their society. Many Goblins are treated as servants and not much better than slaves amongst the Greenskins, finding themselves in simple jobs such as farming, cleaning and looking after the settlement.
Despite this rudimentary lifestyle, Goblins are often happy with their circumstances. The wilderness that the Orcish Tribes survive in is a cruel and dangerous place, with death an ever-constant threat. Living amongst the larger Greenskin Races gives Goblins safety, a worthwhile trade for living of the scraps of others.
Goblin Caravans
Some Goblins do not live amongst other Greenskins, and instead live with other Goblins in what is known as a "Goblin Caravan". These groups of Goblins travel through different lands and countries, typically surviving by exploiting other cultures and races. This may be in the form of trade, theft or raids - each method varying from Caravan to Caravan.
Consisting of anywhere between 20 to 100 Goblins, the Caravan will have a series of carts, wagons and beasts to assist in travelling. These could be horses, mules, goats and other such pack animals. After some time of travel, the Goblins will find a spot near a local settlement or resource, and set up a make-shift camp or village. They will then stay there until they are either driven off or until they have used up whatever resource they stopped for. After this, the Goblins pack up their homes and move on, travelling along routes and roads until they find another spot they like.
A Materialistic Society
One thing that decides the worth of a Goblin is how much they own. Treasure and Gold is one measure of this, as well as what physical objects a Goblin owns. The leader of a Goblin tribe or Caravan will be the wealthiest Goblin, often given the title of "Chief", "Boss" or even "King". It is this Goblin that decides on rules and how best the Goblins might find food and supplies they need.
Despite this love of wealth, when it comes to simple supplies, such as food and clothes, Goblins are more than willing to share. Their communities are often set up so that any Goblin that needs such a thing can simply take what they need. This has caused some issues when Goblins interact with other Culture
A Short Life
Goblins mature at around the age of 8 years, and can live up to around 60. However most Goblins will not live to see old age, as their lifestyle is a dangerous one. Due to their high mortality rate, bought about by this way of living, the fertility rate of Goblins is high. Females will typically have multiple children in one pregnancy, and it falls upon them to ensure the survival of the child until adulthood. Due to their importance in the continuation of Goblin society, women are often treated with more respect than the male Goblins, who are deemed easily replaceable. Goblin males are more likely to be given dangerous tasks, like hunting and defending the tribe. This is not to say female Goblins will not join in with this, and many female Goblins will gladly fight when needed.
Relationships between Goblins are often short-lived, and many are polyamorous. Goblins are not shy with having multiple partners at a time, simply enjoying the company and closeness of whomever they like at the time. This is widely seen as a benefit, as the more children the Goblins can produce, the better chance their tribe will continue.
Death is common for Goblin-kind. As such, when a Goblin does pass, there is little mourning, and no funeral is given for the deceased, The body may be dumped or buried somewhere, but this is just to prevent the spread of disease, and simply to get it out of the way. After it is found out a Goblin has died, their belongings will be "up for grabs", and there is usually a rush of looting from the other Goblins to claim the loot as their own.
Worgs and Roles in Society
Amongst the many beasts and creatures that Goblins may keep, Worgs have a special place in society. Throughout the years, Goblins and Worgs have endured side-by-side, forming a relationship much akin to Humans and Dogs. Worgs are kept by almost every Goblin Tribe and Caravan, used as companions, attack-dogs and mounts.
Where most Goblins are equal amongst their society, some offer preferential treatment. Those with desired skills to help the Tribe (such as being particularly sneaky or cunning) will enjoy more of the loot and may have gifts given to them in return for their services. There is also a great amount of respect for the Shamans of The Great Tribe - The Greenskin Religion. More often than not, a single Shaman will serve a Caravan or Tribe, typically dedicated to one of the main Greenskin Gods (although this is often the God Shargraas).
Magic is rare amongst Goblin-kind, but not unheard of. When a Goblin is born or develops magical powers, they are often outcast by the Tribe or Caravan. The superstitious nature of Goblins has given a great distrust of magic, which they call "Booyagh". This word is often given to a Goblin that knows or can use magic, and a Goblin Booyagh that is allowed to stay in their Tribe is often at the very bottom of the pecking order.
Apart from raiding and stealing, a lot of Goblin Caravans take part in trading with other Races and Cultures. This is often the plan of the Caravan Leader, who can see the benefits and profits that can be made as the Goblins travel. How the trade-goods were acquired, however, is best left not talked about!
Goblin Technology and Houses
Goblin tools and housing is often rugged and scrappy, the Goblins having cobbled together what they need with whatever materials they can find. There huts and houses are simple and consist of patches of fabric held up with sticks, alongside wood crudely tied together. The terrain is often used to ease in the production of the structure.
This is not to say that Goblins will always be found in torn clothes wielding simple sticks. They will gladly steal or barter for any decent gear they require, resulting in Goblin attire coming from a wide and carried mix of other cultures.
Life amongst the Greenskins
The Orcish Tribelands hosts the largest population of Goblins, who live amongst the Great Tribes of the Greenskins. Such a life is not an easy one, as the more physically-capable Orcs, Hobgoblins and Bugbears often take charge, being the decision-makers and Chiefs of the Tribe. For this reason, Goblins find themselves at the bottom of their society. Many Goblins are treated as servants and not much better than slaves amongst the Greenskins, finding themselves in simple jobs such as farming, cleaning and looking after the settlement.
Despite this rudimentary lifestyle, Goblins are often happy with their circumstances. The wilderness that the Orcish Tribes survive in is a cruel and dangerous place, with death an ever-constant threat. Living amongst the larger Greenskin Races gives Goblins safety, a worthwhile trade for living of the scraps of others.
Goblin Caravans
Some Goblins do not live amongst other Greenskins, and instead live with other Goblins in what is known as a "Goblin Caravan". These groups of Goblins travel through different lands and countries, typically surviving by exploiting other cultures and races. This may be in the form of trade, theft or raids - each method varying from Caravan to Caravan.
Consisting of anywhere between 20 to 100 Goblins, the Caravan will have a series of carts, wagons and beasts to assist in travelling. These could be horses, mules, goats and other such pack animals. After some time of travel, the Goblins will find a spot near a local settlement or resource, and set up a make-shift camp or village. They will then stay there until they are either driven off or until they have used up whatever resource they stopped for. After this, the Goblins pack up their homes and move on, travelling along routes and roads until they find another spot they like.
A Materialistic Society
One thing that decides the worth of a Goblin is how much they own. Treasure and Gold is one measure of this, as well as what physical objects a Goblin owns. The leader of a Goblin tribe or Caravan will be the wealthiest Goblin, often given the title of "Chief", "Boss" or even "King". It is this Goblin that decides on rules and how best the Goblins might find food and supplies they need.
Despite this love of wealth, when it comes to simple supplies, such as food and clothes, Goblins are more than willing to share. Their communities are often set up so that any Goblin that needs such a thing can simply take what they need. This has caused some issues when Goblins interact with other Culture
A Short Life
Goblins mature at around the age of 8 years, and can live up to around 60. However most Goblins will not live to see old age, as their lifestyle is a dangerous one. Due to their high mortality rate, bought about by this way of living, the fertility rate of Goblins is high. Females will typically have multiple children in one pregnancy, and it falls upon them to ensure the survival of the child until adulthood. Due to their importance in the continuation of Goblin society, women are often treated with more respect than the male Goblins, who are deemed easily replaceable. Goblin males are more likely to be given dangerous tasks, like hunting and defending the tribe. This is not to say female Goblins will not join in with this, and many female Goblins will gladly fight when needed.
Relationships between Goblins are often short-lived, and many are polyamorous. Goblins are not shy with having multiple partners at a time, simply enjoying the company and closeness of whomever they like at the time. This is widely seen as a benefit, as the more children the Goblins can produce, the better chance their tribe will continue.
Death is common for Goblin-kind. As such, when a Goblin does pass, there is little mourning, and no funeral is given for the deceased, The body may be dumped or buried somewhere, but this is just to prevent the spread of disease, and simply to get it out of the way. After it is found out a Goblin has died, their belongings will be "up for grabs", and there is usually a rush of looting from the other Goblins to claim the loot as their own.
Worgs and Roles in Society
Amongst the many beasts and creatures that Goblins may keep, Worgs have a special place in society. Throughout the years, Goblins and Worgs have endured side-by-side, forming a relationship much akin to Humans and Dogs. Worgs are kept by almost every Goblin Tribe and Caravan, used as companions, attack-dogs and mounts.
Where most Goblins are equal amongst their society, some offer preferential treatment. Those with desired skills to help the Tribe (such as being particularly sneaky or cunning) will enjoy more of the loot and may have gifts given to them in return for their services. There is also a great amount of respect for the Shamans of The Great Tribe - The Greenskin Religion. More often than not, a single Shaman will serve a Caravan or Tribe, typically dedicated to one of the main Greenskin Gods (although this is often the God Shargraas).
Magic is rare amongst Goblin-kind, but not unheard of. When a Goblin is born or develops magical powers, they are often outcast by the Tribe or Caravan. The superstitious nature of Goblins has given a great distrust of magic, which they call "Booyagh". This word is often given to a Goblin that knows or can use magic, and a Goblin Booyagh that is allowed to stay in their Tribe is often at the very bottom of the pecking order.
Apart from raiding and stealing, a lot of Goblin Caravans take part in trading with other Races and Cultures. This is often the plan of the Caravan Leader, who can see the benefits and profits that can be made as the Goblins travel. How the trade-goods were acquired, however, is best left not talked about!
Goblin Technology and Houses
Goblin tools and housing is often rugged and scrappy, the Goblins having cobbled together what they need with whatever materials they can find. There huts and houses are simple and consist of patches of fabric held up with sticks, alongside wood crudely tied together. The terrain is often used to ease in the production of the structure.
This is not to say that Goblins will always be found in torn clothes wielding simple sticks. They will gladly steal or barter for any decent gear they require, resulting in Goblin attire coming from a wide and carried mix of other cultures.
Related Organizations
"A Plague on Society"
Goblins are looked down on by almost every other Kingdom, Race and Culture that exists in the whole of Varda. Seen as scroungers and a burden on "the more civilised", when a Goblin Caravan comes to town, the locals start to worry. Not all Goblins engage in raids and stealing though, and there are many that wish to simple trade and then move on (although the deals made may always be in the Goblins favour!) Despite this reputation amongst the population of the world, Goblins can become fiercely loyal, and once they decide they like you, they will gladly accept you as a member of their Tribe.
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