Goblin (Cobalus malignans)

A cave dwelling elfin subspecies. Encountered on many worlds, these malignant creatures have dwelt on Gæa for along time.

Goblins are a species of cave and underground dwelling humanoids. A degenerate form of elf, they prefer to dwell in caves, ravines and rocky land where trees do not easily grow. They despise elves, experiencing a racial obligation to battle them, and are despised and battled on in turn by elves. Generations spent stooped stooped underground have caused goblins to evolve into a far smaller stature than their tree dwelling kin. Their underground nature has led to them becoming adequate miners, resulting in the occasional skirmish as their mines encroach on the domain of other subterranean species.

When goblins do venture into the open, it is usually at night as they are easily demoralised in daylight, with only the hardiest of their kind being able to function normally diurnally. Their elven ancestry is not commonly known and most people view them as a sort of subspecies of orc, a misconception which orcs have been known to take exception to. While orcs will often enslave and sometimes even employ goblins, they hate them as much as elves and will not have a qualm with any action, which may result in the death of goblins.

Goblins come in many sizes, sometimes growing as tall, but not as bulky, as an average human, but they are generally of a far smaller stature. Although usually timid when alone, they can become most aggressive when encountered in numbers, an occurrence that their fast breeding readily facilitates.

Known for their mischievous ways, goblins are often blamed for any small thing, which may go wrong. As such, they are actively hunted to punish them for their misdeeds. They are not very intelligent and lack the ability to plan far in advance, often starving in winter as a result. They also routinely fail to maintain their weaponry, a fine sword in a goblins hand will be rusted and blunt to the point of being useless in a short span of time.

The depredations of orc slavers and other persecutors may keep their numbers in check, for if left to themselves for too long, a tribe will experience a population explosion, resulting in a migration akin to a locust swarm as the excess population leaves it mother tribe to search for a home where they can found a new tribe. Although extremely rare, goblin migrations extremely destructive as the massive number of goblins plunder the land they traverse in search of a new homeland.

See also Elves and The Lopsloss.

This take on goblins was first defined VIII August MMVIII

CharacteristicsAverage
STR2D6 + 29Move 2
CON1D6 + 46-7Hit Points 7
SIZ1D6 + 36Fatigue 15
INT2D68
POW3D6 10-11
DEX2D6 + 613
APP2D67
R Leg1-41-32/3
L Leg5-84-62/3
Abdomen9-117-102/3
Chest1211-152/4
R Arm13-1516-172/3
L Arm16-1818-192/3
Head19-20204/3
WeaponSRAttack%DamageParr%PTS
Short Spear7401D8+12510
Pole Lasso330 + 54
Sling*315 + 51D8
Knife925 + 61D4 + 225 + 64

Skills: Agility + 4; Jump 15, Climb 30, Communications +11; Speak Other Language (Orc) 9, Knowledge 0; Mineral Law 20, Evaluate 10, Manipulate + 5; Devise 18, Perception + 3; Listen 30, Track 10, Stealth + 10; Hide 48, Sneak 42.
Armour: Generally no more that 2 point hard leather, although more protective helmets are often worn.
Magic: Although goblins mostly use spirit magic, some have been known to use sorcery. Due to the generally high mortality rate, it is rare to find a goblin sorcerer of much power. The contrary is true for shamans who are often them most powerful being next to the chieftain in a tribe. Many goblins will give their life to protect the tribal shaman and as a result goblin shamans can become surprisingly powerful.
* Few goblins live long enough to master the sling.

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