Goblinoid Triumvirate (Jupiter)

Bugbear, Goblin and Hobgoblin

The goblinoids are a curious folk originating from the moons of Jupiter. Old folk lore speaks of a time when the species were one and the occasional ancient artifact has been found depicting what looks like a 5ft goblin with thick leathery skin. These are believed to be the Goblinoids common ancestor.

Findings are sparse but investigations have led modern hobgoblin scientists to believe it was a freak astral event which caused large portions of the population and potentially the planet to become separated. This theory maintains Jupiter may originally have had as few as 15 moons before the event, but no one has ever been able to confirm this.

Left on the original moon which had been ravaged by the event the species we now know as goblins became far smaller relying on being quick on their feet and cunning with their minds to survive in a harsh environment lacking in many of the resources usual for sustaining life. The hobgoblins found themselves on a jungle moon filled with dangerous creatures and man eating plantlife. Historical texts suggest their rigid society begin as a means of banding together and surviving the challenges that awaited them. The final goblinoid species, the bugbears, found themselves on a frozen moon where plant life was difficult to find. Evolving to develop a shaggy coat and a strong musculature they became fierce hunters of the frozen wastelands they called home.

Over time the goblins began to advance somewhat but a lack of central organisation held them back preventing much beyond the formation of warring city states, referred to as clans. The hobgoblins on the other hand thrived. Their rigid discipline becoming a way of life embedded into the bones of their culture. It’s believed other forms of society may have arisen among them akin to the goblins myriad forms of governance but were supressed or slaughtered by the militaristic city states. Archaeological evidence shows little signs of bugbears making technological progress, academic theories this was likely due to the icy conditions of their home moon as when introduced to modern tech many bugbears showed an aptitude for learning and tinkering leveraging their strong physique to make excellent hands-on engineers.

Hobgoblins were the first to achieve space flight having seen signs of life on other moons they went through a period of concerted development determined to find out more. Historical records suggest there first encounters with goblins were violent. The smaller goblins being treated as lesser by the hobgoblins. The exact details are unknown but this led to the first revolution and resulted in the goblins stealing their technology and developing limited moon to moon hops themselves. At this point their small forms which could survive on little to no nutrients proved a boon allowing them to spread to other moons hobgoblins had trouble occupying without extensive and then impossible terraforming. Initial encounters with bugbears ended violently as explorer’s assumed they were monsters and the bugbears attacked them for food. However once more was found out bugbears became sought after shock troops for both sides due to their physical strength and resilience as well as a willingness to fight if it meant moving to nicer planets.

The eventual discovery of other life in the solar system led a semi unification though old tensions simmer beneath the surface. The goblinoid triumvirate offers a united front to outsiders but is barely held together by military might and weight of tradition on the inside.

For more information on the moons each race originates from click below

Locaste (Hobgoblins)

Ananke (Goblin)

Hermippe (Bugbear)