Goblin (Gob-Lyn)
Freedom at Any Cost
Goblinoids come in three different forms. First there are the aggressive, violent, cruel, and malicious Bugbears. Bugbears were the original goblinoids. There are no creation stories for the Bugbears. Some scholars claim they are a creation through the cross breeding of corrupted Orcs and Demons and that the first Bugbear would later reach apotheosis to be their god Hruggek. Bugbears spread and multiplied forming a large kingdom in Penglai. Over time other ancestries came under the yoke of the Bugbears. These ancestries, particularly halflings, gnomes, and humans became the subject of experimentation. A cleric of Hruggek was able to conduct a corrupting ritual on the captive halflings, gnomes, and humans. The halflings and gnomes became the first goblins and the humans the first hobgoblins.
Goblins are small, inquisitive, and dexterous while the hobgoblins are strong, intelligent, and disciplined. Goblins were immediately put into servitude by the Bugbears and forced to serve as servants, menial laborers, and even sacrifices to the Bugbear gods. Hobgoblins were similarly placed in servitude, though they served as bodyguards, gladiators, and soldiers. This servitude ended when the Goblin Hero Maglubiyet rose from the slave pits and led the goblins to their emancipation. Since their emancipation from the Bugbears goblins have spread across Thinia. Some anthropologists believe that goblins are the most numerous ancestry in Thinia, outnumbering even humans.
Goblins have the following features;
- Ability Score Increase: Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.
- Size: Your size is Small.
- Speed: Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
- Darkvision: You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
- Fury of the Small: When you damage a creature with an attack or a spell and the creature's size is larger than yours, you can cause the attack or spell to deal extra damage to the creature. The extra damage equals your level. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
- Nimble Escape: You can take the Disengage or Hide action as a bonus action on each of your turns.
- Languages: You can speak, read, and write Common and Goblin.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Goblins exist across every land in Thinia. They are most at home in the mountains and forests. There are several Goblin kingdoms, but for the most part Goblins have assimilated into the communities where they live. In some parts of the world Goblins are treated with suspicion or distrust, but anti-Goblin sentiments are fortunately on the decline.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Goblins have very simple names comprised of one or two sylables. They typically only have given names and do not have family names unless they are following the practice of another ancestry. When goblins are traveling they may identify by their tribe or community name, for example a member of the Greyfur Tribe may call herself Alda Greyfur.
A list of Goblin names can be found at the following link; Goblin Names
Common Myths and Legends
The Apotheosis of Maglubiyet:
In life Maglubiyet was a Goblin slave turned hero. He led a slave rebellion against Bugbear overlords and liberated the Goblin and Hobgoblin peoples from servitude. After striking down the Bugbear tyrants Maglubiyet ruled the goblinoids as king. He ruled for many years and was considered an effective, if somewhat cruel ruler. Due to Maglubiyet's own experiences he believed that every non-goblin ancestry must be treated with suspicion and any slight must be met with swift violence. This secured the safety of goblinoids but also won the emnity of many humanoids. When Maglubiyet died at the age of 70 he under went an apotheosis and was made an Exarch of Tempus. Tempus was impressed by Magubiyet's fearlessness, prowess, and bravery throughout life in making war against those larger and stronger than himself. Maglubiyet would not remain an Exarch for long. The legend of his apotheosis was spread by heralds amongst the goblinoids and soon Maglubiyet had become a god hero amongst goblinoids. Due to the massive numbers of goblins in Thinia, Maglubiyet had a sudden influx of worshippers that rapidly increased his divine power. In short time Maglubiyet stood as a Greater Diety. With his new power Maglubiyet commanded his worshippers and all goblinoids to sweep across Thinia and become the masters of all other ancestries so that no goblinoid would ever be placed in chains again. His chosen called this the Goblinoid Crusade. Many goblinoids answered this call and engaged in violent campaigns of domination. While the goblinoids were almost always numerically superior to their opponents, they rarely had the same discipline and weaponry as those they waged war upon. In most instances the goblinoids were defeated and pushed back to their homes in the forests and mountains. Following the failures of the Goblinoid Crusade many goblinoid communities reflected on the life and story of Maglubiyet. While some decided to continue to follow his doctrine of goblinoid isolation and supremacy, many more identified Maglubiyet as a tragic figure deeply scarred by his experiences as a slave early in life and unable to overcome the hatred for his oppressors. These groups continued to worship Maglubiyet as a hero and liberator, but they also used his story as a cautionary tale warning goblinoids not to be blinded by their own hatred and desires.Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Since the failure of the Goblinoid Crusade, goblins have suffered from a poor reputation with other species. The Goblins that still follow a strict interpretation of Maglubiyet's teachings are unable to interact with other ancestries due to their hatred and paranoia. For those who follow the reformed doctrine relations with other ancestries have steadily improved resulting in integration in many communities. However, many Goblins still face discrimination from other species.
Lifespan
60 years. Goblins reach maturity around 8 years old.
Average Height
3'00"-4'00"
Average Weight
40-80 lbs.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Goblins have a variety of skin tones including, green, tan, yellow, brown, red, black, and grey. Goblin societies place little to no value in skin color and instead tend to divide themselves by tribe and geographic region.
