Goblinoids

**Goblinoids** are a diverse group of bipedal humanoid creatures. While there are quite a few types of goblinoid, they all share a similar language, behavior, and physiology despite dramatic physical differences even among goblinoids of the same region of Tareal.

## Origins

Goblinoids are of unknown origin, possibly related to either orks or elves, though there are theories that suggest otherwise. They are versatile and highly adaptable creatures, seemingly designed to survive but not to thrive. Goblinoids have been found across almost all known lands and regions of Tareal, and are one of the consistent threats settlers face when expanding a civilization. Despite their distinct and progressing culture, goblinoids are seen by much other civilized races as a nuisance.

## Characteristics

Depending on the subrace of goblinoid, the characteristics vary wildly. Some similar traits are shared among goblinoids, such as their primarily carnivorous diets and short lifespans. An interesting characteristic of all goblinoids is the shared ability to breed across subraces and types, with only the mother's traits being passed on.

### Height and Weight

Goblinoids vary wildly depending on their type. Goblins are the smallest, between 3'4" and 3'10" tall. Hobgoblins are taller, and can average between 5'2" and 6'3". Brugoblins are the largest and are on average 6'8" tall. Goblins on average weigh between 70 to 100 pounds, hobgoblins weighing on average between 140 and 180 pounds, and brugoblins weighing between 210 and 320 pounds. Height and weight also varies slightly between regions, and males are often taller and more heavy than females.

### Physical Traits

Goblinoids all have pointed ears that shift slightly depending on where sound is being picked up. Their noses share a vague resemblance to that of a bat or pig. Goblinoids have yellow or red eyes and can see better than humans in the dark. Goblins and hobgoblins have very little fur in warmer climates, but grow coats of fur in colder climates. Brugoblins have fur covering most of their bodies, with the colder climate brugoblins sporting thicker fur which sheds year round.

Goblins are short and usually quite skinny, with yellow, grey, or green skin tones. They have large mouths and sharp, jagged teeth. Goblins have an odd head to body size ratio, larger than that of a human's. This often leads to balance issues as they have a slightly higher center of gravity, and mitigate this by stooping. Older goblins develop hunches this way.

Hobgoblins are more similar to humans, though still appear similar to goblins. Their facial features are more humanlike, though still considered quite monstrous. Their heads are also more of an appropriate size, and they are often found wearing more elaborate clothing.

Brugoblins are the largest of the three goblinoid types, and are more similar to a bear or an ork. Their ears are longer and more furry and their heads are more wide than a hobgoblin's. A brugoblin's teeth often grow long enough to protrude out from under their lips when their mouths are closed, and many suffer from breathing issues when their mouth is closed. Brugoblins have large muscles and are typically seen protecting other goblinoids when not found with their own din, or pack.

### Lifespan

Goblinoids live short lives, reaching physical maturity at around 8 years old. The average lifespan for most goblinoids is only 30 years, with brugoblins living slightly shorter lives and hobgoblins slightly longer lives. Goblinoids typically stop caring for their young when they reach 5 years of age, and females will only ever raise one or two children at a time. Female goblinoids will often raise upwards of seven children in their lifetime, mating from the time they become fertile to their death.

Goblinoids are considered the only developed species that participates regularly in infanticide. If an offspring is weak, the tribe is starving, or if there a new alpha takes control of a tribe, many offspring are killed or consumed, starting with the weakest.

### Diet

Goblinoids are omnivores, but have incredibly strong digestive tracts and have been known to eat a wide number of objects. Rocks, dice, and even small daggers can be consumed with varying levels of success. A goblinoid will eat whatever it can find, and can even stomach some foods that have become rotted or moldy.

## Goblin Races

Goblins come in many forms depending on their region. They are highly adaptable, and over a relatively few generations (roughly 200 years) can begin to show distinct traits that will help them excel in their environment.

### Green Goblins

Green Goblins gain their name from their green coloration. These goblins are the most widely known, as they live in temperate regions in grasslands and forests. They are various shades of green, and can often be found in small dins with hobgoblins and crude wooden huts. They hunt local wildlife and will raid nearby settlements if possible.

### Grey Goblins

Grey Goblins have lighter grey skin tones and can be found underground in abandoned mines or caverns. They are typically more thin and bony than their overworld counterparts, snatching up bugs and bats to feed off of. They have excellent vision in dim or dark light, depending on their proximity to the surface and length of isolation from sunlight.

### Fur Goblins

Fur Goblins live in colder climates, and sport a coat of fur over their bodies. This fur is reactive to sun exposure, and will turn white in the lighter months and brown or black in the darker months. Fur Goblins have lighter grey or green skin, depending on their proximity to forests, and live in small, close knit dins of goblins. They will sometimes allow a bugbear to keep them company, though they treat it as more of a pet.

### Red Goblins

While not quite red, Red Goblins are known for their orange or yellow appearance. These goblins can be found in drier desert climates where there is little water. They live in dins that truly put strength and survival above all else. They can be found in larger dins with hobgoblins and brugoblins, and are notorious for cannibalizing weaker goblinoids no matter their social standing, gender, or age.

## Hobgoblin Races

Hobgoblins are considered the smartest of the goblinoids, capable of long term planning and plotting and more rational thought. When a Hobgoblin integrates with a goblin din, it is able to provide a relatively refined level of leadership to the goblins, making them far more dangerous to local settlements as raids more more coordinated and purposeful. Hobgoblins also can reign in brugoblins, keeping them in line and providing a similar effect although limited by brugoblins' diminished intelligence compared to goblins.

### Skinlins

Skinlins are hobgoblins that live in warmer or temperate climates. They are the primary race of hobgoblin, and are distinguished by their lack of fur, similar to Red or Green Goblins. Their skin color differs drastically for seemingly no reason, almost at random. It is usually a mild shade of tan with red, orange, yellow, or green.

### Furblins

Furblins are hobgoblins that have acclimatized to cold or frigid climates. They have thin or thick fur that covers their body, and can even be water resistant in the coldest climates. Furblins typically remain in dins of their own kind, though will occasionally find other goblinoids if they suit their goals.

## Brugoblin Races

Brugoblins are the largest and least intelligent of the goblinoids. They live shorter lives as well, and are highly aggressive and impulsive. Like all goblinoids, they are mainly concerned with food and survival, though lack the ability to care enough about material gain for long term goals, and prefer to use the minimum tools necessary to survive. They are large, furry creatures that live in smaller dins compared to both goblins and hobgoblins.

### Grublins

Grublins are found in warmer forests and swamps or jungles. They have green or brown fur and enjoy bathing in mud wherever they can find it.

### Buggbins

Buggbins are common in temperate climates. While they prefer woods and forests, they can be found in fields if there are plenty of prey to be found or settlements to raid. They have medium or light brown fur, bordering on blonde in some cases.

### Snublins

Snublins are brugoblins that live in colder climates, typically where snow is largely present. Snubins have noticeably thick fur, white or grey in color. They can be found in small dins in caves and other natural shelters, and on rare occasions can be seen entertaining themselves with snow, frolicking through deep snow drifts. However, this lighthearted behavior beguiles their true nature as violent predators. Snublins are highly aggressive, especially before they hibernate for the coldest month of the year. Some dins, when forced with a shortage of food, will even slaughter and devour each other until there is one left in order to survive.