Humanoid creatures with a reputation for evil and destructive behavior, yet their origins and true nature remain a mystery to most humans.
The term "goblinoid" refers to any creature or being classified as belonging to a category represented primarily by Goblins. This includes such creatures as Orcs, Bugbears, Hobgoblins and the Goblins themselves. All share certain characteristics of physical appearance as well as culture and behavior. Distinctions are culturally-defined, and sometimes do not coincide with the labels given to them by humans or other humanoids. Thus, what may be described as "goblins" by humans in a particular region where such creatures are found may in fact be different from what is known by that term in a neighboring region.
Their appearance varies greatly from species to species, but also from one region to another, even within the same species. Most are, however, basically humanoid in appearance, although they tend to have larger facial features and pointed ears, heavier brow ridges, and stronger teeth and jaws. They have certain physical adaptations to their often harsh, subterranean habitats. For instance, most goblinoids have excellent dark vision, as well as heightened hearing and olfactory senses, all adaptations to living in complete or nearly complete darkness. They are also highly resistant to diseases, including those associated with decomposing flesh and refuse. Goblinoids are able to digest carrion and other decomposing organic matter which would be lethal for humans to consume. Most goblinoids also have unusual skin pigmentation, believed by some to be the result of microbial infestations in the skin that appears to have no negative effects on them. Thus, many goblinoids appear to have a yellowish, greenish, or even bluish cast to their skins as adults, although they are born pale gray or white.
Goblinoids seem to inhabit all or most regions of the World of Caerdolan, although different species inhabit different environments, and their cultures and societies reflect variations in environment. For example, while the basic social unit of most goblinoids is the matrilineal clan (extended family traced through the female line; an exception are Bugbears, who trace their lineages patrilineally), those who live near large human settlements tend to live in smaller congregations, hiding out in deep woods or, more commonly, in underground warrens. Those who live in more remote regions tend to congregate in larger groups either in mountain citadels or cave systems. Because they live in remote, mountainous regions, away from humans but with the constant threat of other predatory creatures, Orcs live in large societies made up of clan units headed by patriarchal war-leaders who swear allegiance to more powerful warlords. On the other hand, many true Goblins live in caves and earth mounds near human habitation, sometimes even beneath large cities, and rely on secrecy for survival. In this case, smaller congregations are more effective.
Despite their varied methods of social organization, goblinoids are inherently violent, quarrelsome creatures who generally follow leaders out of fear or the promise of rewards. Those leaders who consistently provide food, shelter, and the kinds of riches that goblinoids tend to value are usually able to maintain their status, at least until another offers better rewards or usurps the leader's position through warfare or murder. Although goblinoid war-chiefs are generally male, most goblinoids also revere a matriarchal religious leader, perceived as the spiritual and sometimes literal mother of the clan.
Goblinoid religion is as varied as the regions in which they live, yet they share some common features. For example, most goblinoids share the common belief in a Great Mother being, conceptualized as the Earth. Since goblinoids primarily inhabit caves and other subterranean dwellings, they see the Earth as the symbolic womb from which their society is born. Those who live in permanent dwellings often build shrines or temples to their Great Mother goddess in some very deep chamber of their caves, usually in caverns with unusual natural formations. In the Mainlands and Warlands, Goblins have appropriated and syncretized the Earth Mother goddess Bau from ancient Caerdolan with their own, individual goddesses. Thus, most goblinoids in the northern parts of the World of Caerdolan worship a Bau complex consisting of an indigenous goblinoid spirit combined with the ancient Caerdolan complex of Bau-Tiamat.
Rituals to the Bau-Goblin deities are secretive, but they are believed to involve savage, orgiastic, sex rites wherein groups of males chosen for their combat prowess communally rape groups of fecund females in the sacred shrines or caverns of the goddess. These rituals are fueled and guided by shamanic priestesses and musicians, and the heavy use of narcotic compounds. The purpose of the rituals is to impregnate the females, who are viewed as extensions of the body of Bau, and whose progeny replenish those lost through warfare, predation, and (rarely) natural death. Thus, all Goblins are believed to be born directly from the body of their goddess, Bau. Since females are impregnated by multiple partners, paternity is impossible to determine, and thus becomes irrelevant (hence their matrilineal descent). Another ritual involves the magical transformation of very young human children into Goblins by the power of the Bau deity. In some societies the ideal mate of the Bau priestess is a transformed human male child taken for his physical perfection or noble birth. These beings are sometimes referred to as "goblin kings," and may become priests or sorcerers in the societies that produce them.[1] This practice only occurs within true Goblin society, although other goblinoids such as Orcs and Hobgoblins often kidnap human children for slaves and food. Goblins of all kinds delight in the eating of human flesh, especially that of helpless victims.
Goblinoids figure prominently in the human folklore and mythology of the World of Caerdolan. Some versions of the Caerdolan creation myth include goblinoids in the hosts of Chaos led by Tiamat, along with demons, dragons, and giants. Others suggest that goblinoids are related to the Dark Fey, the hosts of Elvenkind cursed by Roski for siding with Chaos during the First Battle. Still others say that goblinoids are the Elves themselves, cursed by Roski to live as hideous creatures with brief and violent lives. These legends are reinforced by the fact that goblinoids detest sunlight, even if it does not actually harm them, and by the common goblinoid belief that the sun is a terrible, diabolical god who blinds and burns them. Legends of goblins stealing children are doubtless due to the Goblin practice of stealing human children for transformation, or predation by Orcs and other goblinoids
The term "goblinoid" refers to any creature or being classified as belonging to a category represented primarily by Goblins. This includes such creatures as Orcs, Bugbears, Hobgoblins and the Goblins themselves. All share certain characteristics of physical appearance as well as culture and behavior. Distinctions are culturally-defined, and sometimes do not coincide with the labels given to them by humans or other humanoids. Thus, what may be described as "goblins" by humans in a particular region where such creatures are found may in fact be different from what is known by that term in a neighboring region.
Their appearance varies greatly from species to species, but also from one region to another, even within the same species. Most are, however, basically humanoid in appearance, although they tend to have larger facial features and pointed ears, heavier brow ridges, and stronger teeth and jaws. They have certain physical adaptations to their often harsh, subterranean habitats. For instance, most goblinoids have excellent dark vision, as well as heightened hearing and olfactory senses, all adaptations to living in complete or nearly complete darkness. They are also highly resistant to diseases, including those associated with decomposing flesh and refuse. Goblinoids are able to digest carrion and other decomposing organic matter which would be lethal for humans to consume. Most goblinoids also have unusual skin pigmentation, believed by some to be the result of microbial infestations in the skin that appears to have no negative effects on them. Thus, many goblinoids appear to have a yellowish, greenish, or even bluish cast to their skins as adults, although they are born pale gray or white.
Goblinoids seem to inhabit all or most regions of the World of Caerdolan, although different species inhabit different environments, and their cultures and societies reflect variations in environment. For example, while the basic social unit of most goblinoids is the matrilineal clan (extended family traced through the female line; an exception are Bugbears, who trace their lineages patrilineally), those who live near large human settlements tend to live in smaller congregations, hiding out in deep woods or, more commonly, in underground warrens. Those who live in more remote regions tend to congregate in larger groups either in mountain citadels or cave systems. Because they live in remote, mountainous regions, away from humans but with the constant threat of other predatory creatures, Orcs live in large societies made up of clan units headed by patriarchal war-leaders who swear allegiance to more powerful warlords. On the other hand, many true Goblins live in caves and earth mounds near human habitation, sometimes even beneath large cities, and rely on secrecy for survival. In this case, smaller congregations are more effective.
Despite their varied methods of social organization, goblinoids are inherently violent, quarrelsome creatures who generally follow leaders out of fear or the promise of rewards. Those leaders who consistently provide food, shelter, and the kinds of riches that goblinoids tend to value are usually able to maintain their status, at least until another offers better rewards or usurps the leader's position through warfare or murder. Although goblinoid war-chiefs are generally male, most goblinoids also revere a matriarchal religious leader, perceived as the spiritual and sometimes literal mother of the clan.
Goblinoid religion is as varied as the regions in which they live, yet they share some common features. For example, most goblinoids share the common belief in a Great Mother being, conceptualized as the Earth. Since goblinoids primarily inhabit caves and other subterranean dwellings, they see the Earth as the symbolic womb from which their society is born. Those who live in permanent dwellings often build shrines or temples to their Great Mother goddess in some very deep chamber of their caves, usually in caverns with unusual natural formations. In the Mainlands and Warlands, Goblins have appropriated and syncretized the Earth Mother goddess Bau from ancient Caerdolan with their own, individual goddesses. Thus, most goblinoids in the northern parts of the World of Caerdolan worship a Bau complex consisting of an indigenous goblinoid spirit combined with the ancient Caerdolan complex of Bau-Tiamat.
Rituals to the Bau-Goblin deities are secretive, but they are believed to involve savage, orgiastic, sex rites wherein groups of males chosen for their combat prowess communally rape groups of fecund females in the sacred shrines or caverns of the goddess. These rituals are fueled and guided by shamanic priestesses and musicians, and the heavy use of narcotic compounds. The purpose of the rituals is to impregnate the females, who are viewed as extensions of the body of Bau, and whose progeny replenish those lost through warfare, predation, and (rarely) natural death. Thus, all Goblins are believed to be born directly from the body of their goddess, Bau. Since females are impregnated by multiple partners, paternity is impossible to determine, and thus becomes irrelevant (hence their matrilineal descent). Another ritual involves the magical transformation of very young human children into Goblins by the power of the Bau deity. In some societies the ideal mate of the Bau priestess is a transformed human male child taken for his physical perfection or noble birth. These beings are sometimes referred to as "goblin kings," and may become priests or sorcerers in the societies that produce them.[1] This practice only occurs within true Goblin society, although other goblinoids such as Orcs and Hobgoblins often kidnap human children for slaves and food. Goblins of all kinds delight in the eating of human flesh, especially that of helpless victims.
Goblinoids figure prominently in the human folklore and mythology of the World of Caerdolan. Some versions of the Caerdolan creation myth include goblinoids in the hosts of Chaos led by Tiamat, along with demons, dragons, and giants. Others suggest that goblinoids are related to the Dark Fey, the hosts of Elvenkind cursed by Roski for siding with Chaos during the First Battle. Still others say that goblinoids are the Elves themselves, cursed by Roski to live as hideous creatures with brief and violent lives. These legends are reinforced by the fact that goblinoids detest sunlight, even if it does not actually harm them, and by the common goblinoid belief that the sun is a terrible, diabolical god who blinds and burns them. Legends of goblins stealing children are doubtless due to the Goblin practice of stealing human children for transformation, or predation by Orcs and other goblinoids
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