Blue

*"Why do we call 'em blues? Because they're blue!"- Boss Grubblet, explaining the blues to a curious visitor.*

*"Don't let the diminutive size fool you, the blues are among the most powerful psionic casters in Apia."-Blenda, maenad wilder, speaking on which races are naturally psionic.*

*"Don't trust them. But use their powers well."-Vrondrezor, hobgoblin khan, instructed his students in the art of war.*

## Physical Description:

Superficially, blues resemble standard goblins though notably shorter with most standing at roughly three feet tall and weighing forty pounds or less. Their name comes from the soft blue tint to their skin and the fuzzy blue hair covering most of their bodies. Their eyes glow with a soft intellect that sets them apart from the other goblins while radiating some sort of power the defies their obvious physical frailty. Some particularly powerful blues have lines of energy running across their heads and bodies, which they occasionally tattoo to render permanent. Otherwise they do not adorn their bodies. They dress simply, in long flowing robes and simple jewelry.

## History:

Goblins have long spread across the world of Apia and have long been forced into servitude by a wide variety of races. Mind flayers, during their period of occupation, possessed untold thousands of goblin slaves, for feeding and laboring. Being clever folk, some goblins seemed to absorb the powerful psionic energy that radiated from both the mind flayers and their machines. These goblins muted, becoming psionically charged and the first of the blues. As psions, blues formed their own miniature covens within goblin tribes, using their advanced mental capabilities and powers to lead their tribes in great success. These blue-led tribes were better able to barter and defend themselves but, they had to be careful. Blues breeding with goblins produced blues exclusively, and blues proved just as fertile as mainline goblins. Jealous or paranoid goblin bosses exterminated blues if they caught them among their tribes to prevent blues outnumbering the main body of the tribe. Despite this, blues thrived and survived, moving from tribe to tribe, assisting wherever they could, but always for their own purposes. When the Goblin Dominion rose to power, blues suddenly found themselves in a place of prominence. Ezravar, chosen of Maglubiyet, recognized the power of the blues during his rise to power, and employed a company of psions in his war against the fiends. Afterwards, recognizing the talent they possessed, he organized psionic schools to train up those abilities. Ezravar also organized breeding programs to ensure that all goblin units were able to march alongside a few blues to provide psionic support. Blues in the Dominion are recognized for their contributions to that society and are given a place of respect there not afforded elsewhere.

## Geography:

Blues are found all over Apia, either in their own small communities or among goblin tribes. Most are clustered in the eastern Dominion territories.

## Personality:

Blues are goblins in all respects, possessing both the cleverness and cowardice of a typical goblin. They love invention and innovation, enjoy their creature comforts and they are happiest when relaxing or thinking. However, blues possess a heightened level of intelligence and greater discipline than a typical goblin. Blues value mental puzzles and riddles, spending hours puzzling over them. They enjoy meditation and spend at least an hour daily in meditative trances. As all blues are at least a little psionically capable, psionic displays and discussions fascinate them. They tend to be soft-spoken, keeping their cards close to their chests. A blue never says more than he needs to. Considering how goblins outside of the Dominion typically feel about blues they are planners, having contingencies for all situations. They do not act recklessly if possible, and they avoid spontaneity like a plague.

## Society:

Blues tend to congregate either in their own small communities, or sub-communities within goblin tribes. When blues live in their own communities, the most powerful psions rule as a council, making decisions that benefit the entire group. When among goblin tribes, they usually serve as advisors or wise-ones, typically in disguise. Occasionally, they take command of a tribe but this is rare. In The Dominon, blues are a recognized class and caste of citizen. They are viewed like as wizards and treated with similar respect. Because blues breed true, they are found in larger numbers there, typically attached in pairs to goblin and hobgoblin military companies. Blues act as logicians, tacticians and psionic researchers in civilian life, and many with weak psionic abilities become scribes, librarians or other goblins of letters. It is a key role, valued as highly as military blues. Many also serve as advisors to Dominion officers, counseling them as best as they can on matters both psionic and practical.

## Religion:

As all goblins do, blues revere Maglubiyt above all. However, Nesin, lord of knowledge, is venerated by many blues as well. The various pisonic gods, spirits and powers, equally hold influence over blue spirituality.

## Alignment:

Many blues hold to neutrality in their outlook, though many are lawful. Good and evil runs the spectrum among them.

## Relations:

Blues have complicated relationships with goblinoids outside of The Dominion. Regular goblins feel threatened by the blues and do them harm, but are also needed to help keep blues safe and fulfill their goals. Hobgoblins and bugbears are likely to enslave them, abusing their psionic powers but they will feed and keep them safe, treating them as living weapons. In The Dominion this is a different story. All goblinoids serve in some role in the glorious Dominion, including the blues. Outside it, blues get along well with other psionic beings like maneads, thri-kreen and duergar (a rare goblin/dwarf friendship), who share their mental powers. Half-giants and blues can strike up surprising friendships, as do blues and githzerai. Most other beings treat blues as goblins and thus treat them as they would regular goblins.

## **Names:**

Blues have names indistinguishable from regular goblins, so use any goblin name for a blue.

## Adventurers:

Blues adventure for much the same reason as their more traditional goblinkin, to acquire luxury, fame and wealth. Blues are drawn to art and artifacts, as well as powerful magical and psionic items. Many are exiles with no tribe to protect them or on the run from a tribe seeking their death. Few adventuring blues are Dominion loyalists but it does happen.

## Traits:

Blue traits are described below.

-2 Strength, +4 Intelligence, -2 Charisma.

Small size: +1 bonus to Armor Class, +1 bonus on attack rolls, +4 bonus on Hide checks, -4 penalty on grapple checks, lifting and carrying limits ¾ of those of Medium characters.

Blue base land speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision out to 60 feet.

Naturally Psionic: Blues gain 2 bonus power points at 1st level.

Racial Skills: A blue character has a +4 racial bonus on Concentration, Move Silently and Ride checks.

Automatic Languages: Common, Goblin

Bonus Languages: Draconic, Elven, Giant, Gnoll, Orc.

Favored Class: Psion.