Goblins are a minor[1] spacefaring race in the Spelljammer campaign setting, and are closely associated with other goblinoid races, including orcs, ogres, hobgoblins, bugbears, gnolls and scro.[2][3][4]
"I was prisoner on elf Armada when this tiny Locust screamed into view. It crash into elf ship; blow up like little sun.
Elves free me to escape as they run in their Flitters. The Armada exploding is greatest sound I ever hear."
- Grravie Ironhand, Goblin Warlord[5]
Overview[]
At one time the goblins and the other goblinoid races had a major presence in wildspace, fighting amongst themselves and against the other races in space, especially the elves. Although they were powerful, the goblinoid fleets were divided among a huge number of local chiefs, leaders and kings, and were unable to coordinate anything more than localised raids. However, considering their numbers, these raids completely depopulated whole regions of space, wiping out elven installations, human cities and dwarven citadels.
Most local kingdoms and organizations fought off these assaults as best they could, but the Elven Imperial Navy adopted their own solution: a full-fledged war against the goblinoid fleets in space. Beginning with the Battle of Kule in Greyspace, and continuing for the next decade, fully half of the various goblinoid fleets were destroyed, with the remaining forces scattered and later hunted down.
The power of the goblinoid fleets were crushed, but individual bands remain a factor in space. Those goblins that survived have gone on to operate in secret if they can, in the open if they must, but always to the benefit of their own kind.[2] With the advent of the Second Unhuman War, many goblin tribes have joined the war effort alongside the scro, who primarily employ them as manual labour, working on ships and doing physical labour. Since they're the smallest of the goblinoids, they have a need to pick on somebody and the kobolds are the obvious choice.[3]
Description[]
Goblins are short, with flat noses, broad faces, pointed ears, wide mouths and small sharp fangs. They have sloping foreheads and their eyes are usually dull and glazed, varying in color from bright red to a gleaming, lemon yellow. Goblins walk upright, with long arms that reach their knees, and their skin color ranges from yellow to any shade of orange to a deep red. Goblins favor dark leather clothing, tending to soiled, earthy colors.[4]
Personality[]
Goblins are small evil-minded humanoids who would be considered no more than pests if it weren't for their great numbers. They don't need to eat much, but will eat almost anything, from rats to snakes to humans, and in lean times will even eat carrion. They will, however, kill for the shear pleasure of it all. Goblins usually ruin their habitats, driving away game and stripping or despoiling all resources. They are decent miners, and any settlement will soon be expanded by a maze-like network of tunnels.[4]
Combat[]
Goblin tactics and strategies are simple and crude, They are cowardly and prefer to ambush their foes, rather than face them directly. Goblins hate the sunlight, but are well adapted to operating underground and in the dark. They prefer simple weapons, like spears and maces, and are known to carry short swords as backup weapons. goblin warriors are usually armored in leather, though leaders may wear chain or even plate mail.[4]
Society[]
Goblins live a communal life, prefering to share large common areas for eating and sleeping. Only leaders warrant separate living quarters. Goblins carry most of their possessions with them, though the property of the tribe is kept with the chiefs and sub chiefs. The concept of privacy is largely foreign to goblins. Goblins live in squalor, in quarters that are dank and dismal. With no concept of sanitation, their habitation usually has a foul stench, though goblins appear to be inured to the filth and somewhat resistant to the diseases that flourish in such conditions.
Goblin tribes have a strict hierarchy, and every member knows exactly who is above them and who is below them in the pecking order. They constant fight amongst themselves, trying to improve their status within the tribe. Goblins often take slaves, for both food and manual labour. Slaves are always shackled and are kept chained together when they sleep. Goblins hate most other humanoids, especially gnomes and dwarves, and strive to exterminate them when possible.[4]
Notable Goblins[]
- One-Eye was an old goblin who served as advisor to the chief of the goblins stationed on Gamaro Base in Moragspace.[3]
Signature Spelljammers[]
Goblins are closely associated with the goblin blade[6] and the porcupine ship.[7]
Appendix[]
External Links[]
- Goblin article at the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.
- Goblin article at the Eberron Wiki, a wiki for the Eberron campaign setting.
- Goblin article at Greyhawkonline.com, a wiki for the Greyhawk campaign setting.
- Goblin article at the Dungeons and Dragons Lore Wiki, a wiki for official Dungeons & Dragons content from every edition.
- Goblin article at the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition Wiki, a wiki for official Dungeons & Dragons content from 2nd edition AD&D.
References[]
- ↑ Jeff Grubb. AD&D Adventures in Space; Lorebook of the Void, TSR, Inc., 1989, Major and Minor Races side bar (pp.50, 52 and 54)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Jeff Grubb. AD&D Adventures in Space; Lorebook of the Void, TSR, Inc., 1989, Goblin Races section, chapter 3: Spacefarers (pp.59–60)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Bruce Nesmith, SJS1 Goblins' Return, 1991, (TSR Inc.),Goblin Compound section, chapter 3: Gamaro Base Description, page 52
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Tim Beach et al, Monstrous Manual, 1993, (TSR Inc.), Goblin entry, page 163
- ↑ Dale "Slade" Henson, War Captain's Companion, War Captain's Guide, 1992, (TSR Inc.), sidebar, page 60
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, SJR1 Lost Ships, 1990, (TSR Inc.), Ship Catalog chapter, pages 51-52
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, SJR1 Lost Ships, 1990, (TSR Inc.), Ship Catalog chapter, pages 56-58