Goblins are small, wiry goblinoids adapted for mobility, ambush, and survival in contested terrain. They are often treated as pests, raiders, or nuisances by settled peoples, but this reputation reflects how they survive rather than what they are. Goblins are opportunistic, coordinated, and aggressive when advantage is clear. They avoid direct confrontation, but they are not timid.
Goblins rarely fight fair. From their perspective, there is no reason to.
Physical Description
Goblins are similar in height to halflings but differ sharply in build and movement.
Typical goblin height ranges from 100–120 cm, with larger individuals occasionally reaching 125–130 cm. Despite this small stature, goblins appear lean rather than compact. Their limbs are slightly longer relative to their bodies, giving them a narrow, angular silhouette.
Common physical traits include:
- wiry, low‑fat musculature
- narrow shoulders and hips
- slightly flattened noses
- somewhat pointed ears
- mildly pointed teeth
- slightly enlarged eyes
- quick, light movement
Goblins are nimble rather than fast. Their short legs prevent them from outrunning humans in open terrain. Instead, they rely on agility, climbing ability, and familiarity with broken ground. A goblin fleeing across open land is in danger. A goblin retreating through rocks, brush, ruins, or narrow paths is difficult to pursue.
Goblins are excellent climbers and are comfortable moving through tight spaces, steep slopes, and uneven terrain. Escape routes are often chosen in advance and may involve routes that larger pursuers cannot easily follow.
Skin and Colouration
Goblin skin tones can vary, every so slightly, rather than being fixed to a single colour. Most are an earthy, orangish ochre.
- hot regions — darker orange-browns, dusty ochres, sun‑darkened tones
- temperate regions — lighter orange ochre usually
- tropical regions — the typical earthy, orange ochre
These variations are typically subtle rather than dramatic. Goblins do not normally display bright or strongly saturated colouration.
Hair is usually coarse and dark, though some populations show lighter brown or dusty reddish tones. Facial hair is sparse and often patchy.
Movement and Combat Style
Goblins avoid direct confrontation whenever possible. They prefer:
- ambush
- surprise attacks
- terrain advantage
- harassment
- traps
- hit‑and‑run tactics
They are comfortable attacking first if they believe the odds favour them. This is not considered treacherous in goblin thinking, but practical. Waiting to be attacked by a stronger opponent is seen as foolish.
Goblins rarely pursue enemies far unless they believe escape routes are controlled. Once resistance stiffens or surprise is lost, goblins often disengage quickly.
They are particularly dangerous in environments that restrict movement: broken hills, ruins, ravines, scrublands, dense undergrowth, and shallow cave systems.
Psychology
Goblins are opportunistic and survival-focused. They are not naturally cautious, but they are tactically careful. A goblin group will often observe, scout, and probe before acting. Once advantage is established, they may attack immediately.
Common behavioural tendencies include:
- attack when advantage is clear
- avoid even fights
- rely on numbers and coordination
- withdraw quickly when conditions worsen
- favour ambush over confrontation
- limited long‑term planning
- practical rather than ideological decision‑making
Goblins are not typically resentful or vengeful. Losses are expected. Survival matters more than revenge. If a situation becomes unfavourable, goblins often relocate rather than escalate.
Goblins frequently display dark humour, particularly regarding danger, injury, or misfortune. This is often misinterpreted as cruelty, but functions more as a coping mechanism in unstable conditions.
Intelligence
Goblins are fully sentient and only slightly below human averages in abstract reasoning. They are often underestimated because their societies emphasize practical skills over formal knowledge.
Goblins tend to excel at:
- terrain awareness
- trap construction
- ambush coordination
- improvisation with limited tools
- group communication
They are less strong in:
- long‑term planning
- institutional continuity
- large‑scale organization
- formal scholarship
These differences are cultural tendencies rather than biological limits.
Society
Goblin society is typically organized around extended family groups. These groups are flexible, splitting and recombining as conditions change. Leadership is usually informal and based on success, confidence, and ability to coordinate others.
Goblins mature quickly, reproduce frequently, and have shorter lifespans than humans. This produces large, shifting populations with uneven experience levels. Knowledge is often practical and immediate rather than preserved formally.
Settlements range from temporary camps to semi‑permanent clusters. Long‑term stability is uncommon but does occur in favourable terrain.
Technology and Craft
Goblin equipment is often a mixture of scavenged and locally produced items. Mobility and instability limit large-scale craft production.
Common features include:
- mixed weapon types
- scavenged armor
- simple shields
- crude but effective traps
- light equipment for mobility
Where goblins remain settled for extended periods, small forges may develop. These usually produce simple blades, spearheads, and tools rather than complex armor.
Goblin craftsmanship is practical rather than refined. Items are made to function, not to last.
Relations With Other Peoples
Goblins generally avoid contact with larger, organized societies. However, they will scout nearby groups and may attack if they believe advantage exists.
Goblins sometimes trade, but such exchanges are unstable. Negotiations can shift quickly into threats or violence if either side senses weakness.
Goblins are more likely to:
- shadow travelers
- test defenses
- attempt theft
- stage ambushes
- withdraw if resisted strongly
Long-term peaceful coexistence is rare but not impossible. It usually depends on clearly defined boundaries and limited interaction.
Goblins and Hobgoblins
Goblins sometimes coexist with hobgoblins, but rarely as equals. Hobgoblins often use goblins as scouts, auxiliaries, or expendable troops. Goblins tend to accept this temporarily, then disperse when control weakens.
Such arrangements are pragmatic rather than loyal, and rarely last.