Goblin Lore - MakerofFire4258

Goblins are a humanoid species currently invading the continents of Iaddithis. Originating from a different land, goblins are small, obsessed with material wealth, and aggressive to all other known races. Some goblins possess an affinity for magic in groups, goblins display a rudimentary grasp of tactics and social hierarchy.

## Appearance

The average goblin is approximately 1 meter tall and light green in color. Their most distinct features are their large ears and yellow eyes. They have red war paint on their chests and faces, and on top of their head (if using a bow, the goblin will have a leather hat instead of the paint). These goblins don’t wear armor, and wield either a bow, a club, or a combination of a sword and a shield.

Two other subsets of goblins exist:

### Goblin kings

While similar in shape to normal goblins, kings are 2 meters tall instead of 1. "King" is the closest translation of their word for leader into the common tonuge. They are called “kings” because goblins consider size a determinant of leadership. Goblin kings wield large weapons and can move just as fast as regular goblins when charging. Kings swing these with such force that anyone they strike will be knocked back and potentially stunned.

### Magic goblins

Though lacking a formal name, these goblins wield magic against opponents. In battle, they wear enormous masks called tikis that cover most of their bodies. They wield magical staffs with two skulls attached. While approximately the same size as kings, they do not lead goblins, and focus nearly entirely on their magic. In combat, they will cast spells on their targets, inducing nausea and vomiting.

#### Minotaurs

These immense creatures are around 12 meters tall and are summoned by magic goblins. They are brown in color, and their body is a combination of a giant’s body and the head of an extinct animal known as a bull. They wield massive axes which can knock back anyone in the vicinity of their blows. However, they are only capable of focusing on 1 target at a time. Further study of minotaurs has proved impossible, as their bodies vanish within 30 minutes of appearance.

#### Skeletons

These creatures summoned by magic goblins are only a collection of white bones and boots. They are the same shape as a regular goblin, just without any flesh. Despite this, they can move and hit targets. They are held together only by magic, and often can be destroyed by a single swing of a sword.

## History

### Origins

No written record survives about the first goblins, so little is known for certain of their origin. Due to their humanoid appearance, they may share a common ancestor with the other humanoid species in Iaddithis. What is known is that the first groups of goblins appeared to the west of Iaddithis. They travelled alone or in small groups, slowly developing a culture around their obsession with material wealth. They became fiercely tribal, developed rivalries, and fought with other groups of goblins. Some goblins with an affinity for magic developed new spells used entirely for fighting. The lack of a settled goblin civilization made mining for wealth impossible.

To acquire gold, iron, and diamonds, they began to attack other species. Eons of fighting with each other made them fierce warriors, and many cities fell to them. The civilizations attacked by the goblins began to hunt down and kill every goblin they could find. Eventually, the surviving goblin clans were forced underground to avoid extinction.

This near extinction had a profound effect on goblins. Any independent civilization is seen as a threat to their existence. Due to this belief, they attack any civilization they encounter. This forces any civilization to treat goblins as an existential threat.

### Taming of the Minotaurs

Underground, goblin populations began to recover, but their infighting continued. However, magical goblins continued to learn more about magic, seeking a way to return to the surface. Eventually, one of these mages discovered a ritual that summoned creatures from outside this plane of existence. These creatures are the minotaurs, immense beings who are only capable of existing in this world for brief periods of time.

The first minotaur was summoned in a large cavern and killed every goblin nearby except the summoner. Within 30 minutes, the minotaur disintegrated. The sheer size of this creature rendered it useless in most caves, but not above ground. Realizing the potential of this discovery, the mage spread the required ritual to others. In a rare moment of unity, goblins formed an alliance to return to the surface. If it weren't for the size of minotaurs making them useless in caves, this alliance likely would never have happened.

Waves of goblins poured out from underground. Against army after army, the goblins won again and again. Summoned minotaurs cleaved through battle lines, and kings and regular goblins make quick work of the rest. Cities were not safe either, as minotaurs could knock down walls and mages could teleport groups of goblins past walls. Soon, every civilization in the region had come to serve them or been annihilated. In this new status quo, goblins clans roamed and had territory, but never settled down.

### Invasion of Iaddithis

The goblin clans initially knew nothing of Iaddithis. However, traded enchanted objects made their way to the goblin lands. When goblin mages enquired about these objects, they learned of a realm with vast wealth and civilizations that could wield magic. Since goblins viewed any such civilization as a threat, dozens of goblin clans began to journey to Iaddithis.

On November 14th, 2022, the first goblins arrived in Iaddithis. Small groups began to appear on different continents and were fought until a large clan approached the Center of the World (spawn). An alliance of warriors came together to fight this clan, and successfully fended off waves of goblins, kings, mages, skeletons, and minotaurs. Since then, smaller groups of goblins have launched attacks on multiple cities.