Goblins
Ages ago, a Fae slipped into the material plane and plucked a beautiful frog from its tree. From that frog, the first goblin was fashioned. When the other Fae beheld the clever little servant, they each desired one of their own. Thus, goblins were made from frogs and pixie dust and tasked with tending to the needs of the Fae. Pale of skin, hair, and eye, they served dutifully as slaves. The Fae were their masters, and goblins considered it an honor to serve them. Yet as the Fae grew increasingly decadent and neglectful, goblinkind began to question the arrangement.
A legendary she-goblin named Delyxa became known as the Great Liberator after forging a pact between all goblinkind and Depravos. In exchange for their worship, the Demon Father promised to free them from the Fae, grant them harbor in Lythria, and force their former masters to seek slaves elsewhere. Ever shrewd, the goblins asked what such worship would require.
“You will be my plague upon the followers of Supremos,” Depravos replied. They accepted his terms with enthusiasm. Raiding, robbing, ransacking, and reveling in the spoils of victory became both sacred duty and cherished way of life.
When the pact was sealed, goblins underwent dramatic physical changes. Their blood darkened from opal to black jet, while their once-pale skin and hair blossomed into a dazzling spectrum of colors. Their teeth sharpened, and they gained the ability to consume carrion and spoiled foods that would sicken most other races. They can carry the contagious Spoiling Sickness, however, and take care not to expose their non-goblin allies.
Because of Delyxa’s legacy, male goblins regard females as natural leaders and deeply respect their roles as mothers, breeders, and protectors of the tribe. This reverence is quiet and practical rather than ceremonial, but it grants she-goblins considerable prominence within goblin society, regardless of how they choose to shape their bodies.
Goblins have found their strongest and most enduring allies among the orc tribes. Their shared love of raiding, similar attitudes toward female equality, and mutual respect for strength make their cultures highly compatible. Goblins remain devoted to their own covenant with Depravos, and few resent the privileges reserved exclusively for orcs. In return, life among Lythria’s fiercest raiders grants them security, prestige, and the protection of powerful allies.
Goblins have also mastered the union of Fleshcrafting and Alchemy, allowing them to reshape genitalia by shrinking, enlarging, or altering it entirely. As a result, goblins are often unusually well endowed. Males commonly possess genitalia that, when erect, may equal the length of the thigh, while females have adapted with highly flexible anatomy capable of accommodating larger partners. Some choose further alterations that make their bodies more intersexed. She-orcs have relied upon goblin Fleshcrafters for generations.
Clever, intelligent, and dexterous, goblins excel in nearly every profession. Many become master alchemists and ingenious craftsmen, while larger goblins often pursue lives as warriors. Ambitious leaders may gather followers into independent warbands, and others earn reputations as mercenaries, assassins, merchants, entertainers, or diplomats.
Some devote themselves to spiritual callings as witch doctors, shamans, and healers. Their ingenuity and adaptability suit them to nearly any role they choose. Even so, goblinkind has never entirely lost the subservient instincts for which it was created. Rare is the goblin who leads for long without eventually finding a master to serve.
Common Goblin Perspective
Humans — “Hee hee! Humies so easy ta rile. We makes ’em shout, makes ’em run, makes ’em cry ta their shiny god. Depravos says trouble ’em, so trouble ’em we do. Just don’t let ’em catch ya nappin’, or you’ll be dancin’ in their chains instead!”
Dwarves — “Depravos don’t like stone-gnats, an’ orc masters hates ’em worse. So we makes their days miserable, hee! Break their tools, spoil their drink, steal their shineys. Fun work! If ya can break a dwarf’s will, they’s useful. If not… better they stops breathin’, eh?”
High Elves — “Moon-head elfs is rare catch, hee hee! Too proud ta see the snare till it’s tight. Best gift for an orc boss… keeps ya fed an’ favored. Shiny prize, that.”
Wood Elves — “Forest elfs is pretty like moonlight an’ mean like wild cats. Worth plenty for blue blood an’ moon-seed… if ya brings enough irons. Many gobbos finds out too late, hee!”
Dark Elves — “Sand elfs plays at honor an’ hospitality. Makes life easy for clever gobbos. We eats their stew, sells ’em stolen wares, an’ slips off afore sunrise with new shinies. Hee hee!”
Half-Elves — “Pointy ears is pointy ears, eh? Gobbos don’t fuss over halves an’ wholes. Alchemists says violet blood’s worth grabbin’, so grabbin’ we does. Easier catch than forest ghosts… still squeals just the same.”
Tieflings — “Horn-heads wants our place by the fire. Stronger maybe, but not loyal like gobbos. They smiles nice till knives comes out. Demon tricks runs deep.”
Goblins — “We was slaves once, pretty pets for fae tyrants. No more! Delyxa gave us teeth an’ Depravos gave us purpose. Now we is plague an’ laughter both. Small hands, sharp minds, black blood an’ bright colors… gobbos survives anythin’. Orc bosses gives us muscle, we gives ’em cunning. World’s a grand game if ya plays it right, hee hee!”
Orcs — “Big bosses, best fighters! Orcs breaks skulls while gobbos wins wars proper, hee hee. Stay close ta their fires an’ life gets safer… mostly. Just don’t get in the way when they’s angry.”
Changeling — “Baby-thieves an’ crib-leeches. Fae made gobbos slaves once… never again! Catch a changeling young an’ end it quick. Catch one grown… sell it, break it, or make it run.”