Goblin

Note: This chart may need to be updated.

For such a common race, Goblins are mistaken with somewhat surprising frequency for a members of some subspecies of orc, or for underweight, shaved dwarves with severe acne. In fact, however, the goblin heritage is part orc, part sprite. Physically, goblins are, for the most part, less dangerous than orcs. However, they are more inclined to use magic (usually of the shaman variety), and they tend to be sneakier, using indirect means of attack whenever possible. They are consistently underestimated in battles, a fact which they use to their advantage whenever possible.

Goblins do not much take after their sprite heritage physically, as they are wingless and slightly lumpy. But like sprites, they have little innate sense of ethics as other races regard them, and like orcs, they are often violent. Many goblin cultures prize the art of preying on the weak. Individuals from such goblin cultures, if pressed, usually justify this with vague references to some form of social darwinism. Though fast to engage their philosophical foes in argument in this manner, however, goblins typically retreat quickly from the intellectual battlefield, as they are ill-equipped for combat there. Most philosophical disagreements among goblins are resolved physically, such as with endurance contests, arm wrestling matches, spitting competitions, or what goblins refer to as a "nutbake." The nutbake has many variations, but in its simplest form, it is essentially a contest to see who can scrape her genitals over a rough surface for a longer period of time. Nutbaking, despite its name, is not the exclusive purview of male goblins.

Goblins take after both orcs sprites in their sociability, for they are almost always found with others of their kind, and most get lonely and bored without other goblins around. They are not nearly so likely to abuse each other as orcs. Under normal circumstances, goblins can usually get along with each other. Though many are somewhat inclined toward xenophobia at least initially, they can be loyal and reasonable companions.

From sprites, goblins gain the agility to climb and a natural preference for homes in forested areas. From orcs, they gain the desire for industry, and in particular, for chopping down trees. As a result they tend toward a rather nomadic lifestyle, since they frequently obliterate their own homes. When more ideal living arrangements, such as forest caverns, are available, goblins are able to live there indefinitely.

Character Concepts

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