(colloquial: bear goblins)
Grend are a large, Faerie-altered branch of the goblinoid family that has only recently begun appearing more frequently in the mundane world. Most scholars believe they descend from hobgoblins trapped in Faerie during the Cataclysm and transformed over centuries by its altered rules of growth, vitality, and time.
They are sometimes called Bear Goblins, a name that dates to the earliest reliable sightings. Travellers reportedly glimpsed large, shaggy figures emerging from mountain caves and assumed they were some kind of cave bears. Only later, when these creatures were seen upright and using tools, did observers realize they were goblinoid. The shortened name “Bear Goblins” persisted long after the misunderstanding was corrected.
They are enormous by goblinoid standards, typically standing between 2.1 and 2.3 metres tall, with rare individuals approaching 2.5 metres. Their proportions remain recognizably goblinoid despite their size. The head shape, brow, ear structure, and facial features resemble enlarged hobgoblins rather than ogres or giants. Their arms are slightly longer than typical humanoid proportions, hanging low enough to give them a faintly knuckle-dragging silhouette when relaxed.
Their skin is thick and tough, with mottled tones ranging from beige through tan to deeper brown. The surface often appears irregular or slightly patchy, with subtle tonal variation rather than smooth colour.
Coarse hair covers much of the body, especially the shoulders, upper back, forearms, and thighs. The hair is naturally orange-tinged, usually ranging from dull rust through copper to burnt orange. In hotter climates and exposed terrain, the outer hair often bleaches strongly in the sun, becoming vivid orange at the tips. Individuals living in open hills or dry seasonal regions may show pronounced two-tone colouring, with darker roots and bright orange outer layers. In shaded forests or cooler regions, the colour tends to remain deeper and more muted.
This orange-tinged coat creates a clear visual connection to the orange-skinned hobgoblins from which they are believed to descend, while still appearing more mottled and naturalistic due to the heavy hair and sun-bleached variation.
Despite their bulk, Grend move quietly. Their Faerie origin seems to grant an instinct for stillness and shadow. They often appear slow until they decide to act, at which point they can move with abrupt speed over short distances.
Temperament
Grend intelligence is practical and situational. They understand tools, danger, and opportunity, but show little interest in planning or long-term ambition. They prefer ease over effort and avoid sustained labour whenever possible. Farming and construction hold little appeal. They live as opportunists, taking what is available and moving on when it becomes inconvenient.
They are not particularly aggressive, but they are dangerous when pressed. Their size, strength, and sudden bursts of movement make them formidable in close quarters. They rarely pursue enemies far and often disengage once resistance becomes costly.
Social Structure
Grend live in small family groups, usually consisting of a dominant pair, offspring, and occasionally one or two extended relatives. These groups are stable but informal. Authority depends mostly on temperament and size.
Arguments within families are common and often result in temporary separation. Individuals may leave in anger and live alone for months or years before returning or joining another group. Solitary Grend are therefore not unusual.
They show little interest in forming larger communities. When multiple families occupy the same region, they typically keep their distance.
Habitation
Grend prefer minimal-effort shelter. They commonly occupy:
- shallow caves
- abandoned structures
- partially collapsed ruins
- rock overhangs
- crude windbreaks
They rarely construct permanent dwellings of their own. Modifying an existing space is far more typical.
Because of their heavy fur and build, they favour temperate and cooler climates. They are most often found in:
- hills and broken uplands
- forested highlands
- rocky temperate regions
- seasonal tropical hill country
They may appear elsewhere when newly crossing from Faerie, but tend to drift toward cooler terrain over time.
Equipment
Grend favour simple, oversized weapons:
- heavy clubs
- large spears
- axes taken from other peoples
- improvised polearms
Most armour does not fit them, and they show little interest in crafting their own. Some wear crude leather pieces or scavenged gear. Their thick skin and dense hair provide modest natural protection.
Faerie Origin
The name Grend comes from Faerie. Early encounters describe Faerie beings referring to them by this term, which has since spread among scholars and travellers. In regions where the name is not yet known, they are often called shag goblins due to their size and coarse orange-tinged hair.
Their increasing appearance is widely believed to be tied to the thinning of the veil between Faerie and the mundane world. Unlike many smaller Faerie creatures, Grend appear to prefer the mundane once they arrive. The steadier conditions and easier opportunities suit their temperament.
Over time, their populations are expected to stabilize in temperate upland regions where their size, stealth, and low-effort lifestyle are easiest to maintain.