The Goblin
General Information;
A grubby, irritating species of small humanoids with fine scales, ugly snouts and large, batlike ears. Mostly unintelligent, they are looked down upon by most other species, seen as pests and rodents. Nevertheless, in large numbers, goblins are a force to be reckoned with - especially if led by a capable leader.
Statistics;
Name:: Goblins
Average Lifespan:: 40 years (80 for baknakin)
Average Height:: 2ft/0.6m
Average Weight:: 30 pounds
Location Found:: abroad; most dwell in caves and caverns, deep underground, or in city sewers and dungeons.
*all statistics based on averages; extremes in any direction, or found in odd locations, are always allowed.
Notes;
Baknakin Origin The baknakin goblins originate from a tribe on an island with minimal resources - like food - as well as several dangerous predators in Millirand. Having few other options, the tribe made a truce to work together.
Over time, these goblins learned the ways of spellcasting as well as how to make crude instruments; among these goblins, those that could invent tools to make things easier for their comrades were selected as good mates. Eventually, they were able to spread beyond the islands. They named themselves after the goblin that was able to figure out how to build a crude boat: baknakin.
Diet This is what this species, and any variants, may eat at any given time.
Common:
Goblin-
red meat from small animals, fish, mushrooms.
Baknakin-
red meat from small game, white meat, fish, mushrooms.
Uncommon:
Goblin-
roots, insects, white meat.
Baknakin-
insects, fruit, nuts.
Rare:
Goblin-
fruit, nuts, carrion.
Baknakin-
carrion.
Overview:
Goblins and the baknakin variant both prefer to hunt live prey, usually rats or similarly sized creatures. Baknakin are better at hunting birds, and other flying creatures, than typical goblins. In the absence of live prey, both goblins and baknakin will make do with whatever edibles they may find.
Puca tend to be scavengers, surviving off of whatever they can find. However, should anything larger than a single puca can catch wander into their territory, they will often go on the hunt immediately.
Credits;
Species info credited to Aehryn, JPG, Fyfergrund, Soundthebugle, and Verridith.
In-Depth Information;
Appearance Goblins are renowned for being both small and ugly. For bipedal creatures, their arms are disturbingly disproportionate relative to their height, hanging down nearly to their knees. Their skin is covered with dull scales, ranging in color from flat black to muddy brown to swampy green. Their faces are best compared to a lizard's, with a blunt, sharp-toothed snout and small, beady dark eyes. Their bat-like flappy ears and stout, gator-like tail make them look like a comically grotesque proverbial chimera of species.
The females of this race are slightly taller than their male counterparts, and may have a few strands of stringy, scraggly hair protruding from their humongous ears.
Baknakin: There exists a variant of goblin called the baknakin; these goblins are very visually similar, though somewhat more proportionally balanced, smaller ears, and may have some amount of greasy hair. A few of these goblins have been found to be tailless, unlike their brothers and sisters. Most baknakin, however, can be noted by wearing some semblance of proper clothing and armor, unlike the rags traditional goblins employ.
Culture Goblins are scrawny, yet savage, war-like creatures with intelligence that just barely passes for sentient. As such, they are prone to in-fighting just as much as they are attacking a hostile intruder. Their temperament is best described as primitive, aggressive, and highly territorial, often petty enough to wage all out war over something as silly as who gets the last scrap of grub.
Baknakin: Baknakin are intelligent goblins that are quite innovative - able to learn crafts at an alarmingly fast rate. In addition, due to their intelligence, they are able to have a little more foresight in knowing not to try casting 'fireball' while hiding in a bush, unlike their dumber cousins. While they lack the same level of physical strength and savagery as their cousins as well as the pack-like mentality, their ability to think quickly and think well more than makes up for their shortcomings in these departments.
However, one big flaw among baknakin is that they're still selfish and opportunistic - unless threatened with danger, they will sooner stab you in the back than truly cooperate on an endeavor. Furthermore, their curiosity tends to get the better of them. Sometimes, they tell you not to mix certain chemicals together for good reason.
Abilities Goblins usually fight with crudely hewn spears or arrows; sometimes, the generals actually have swords. Few goblins can work with magic; those that are 'fortunate enough' end up overestimating their ability with results equal parts tragic and comical. Their minds are incapable of complex strategy, and they often end up relying on overwhelming strength in numbers.
Baknakin: Goblins that fall under the baknakin category may find more success in elemental magic, reiatsu control, and basic alchemy. Though their abilities are not great, some do make fine spellcasters, far beyond what their normal cousins may conjure.
Species Origin;
When Death found itself ripped from the dying First Being known as the One, his essence gave form to many sinister, menacing creatures. And then there were the goblins; small creatures, weak and numerous, with the first one created as something of a humorous attempt to mock the One’s power - as if to say ‘I do not even need my full power to create something to defeat you.’
The First Goblin was formed of a frog's rotting carcass, combined with the essence of the earth; infused with Death's reiatsu, a small and shambling creature was born, and Death chuckled at his divine joke. He wasted no time in creating many more, very quickly - and to these new goblins, he said simply, Go and make chaos, in my divine name.
The goblins were created with that one purpose in mind - to attack quickly and without provocation. They were the scouts and cannon fodder during the war over the First Realm, utilizing primitive swarm tactics. Of limited intelligence and lifespan, they were never intended to form civilizations. They would often die off too fast due to their bravado and stupidity - both friend and foe alike stepping all over them when the real fighting broke out. They barely managed to eke out what could be vaguely called an existence. In fact, the first goblin is said to be the very first of the Ancient Firsts to die - while it was biting on its dirt and snot encrusted thumbnail, it wondered it could get the same stimulation in its eye.
However, some managed to survive long enough to form primitive, crude civilizations. Without the guidance of Death, the goblins have attempted to find their place in the world, alongside all who might oppose them. They have succeeded to an extent, forming small nomadic bands in a variety of Realms. Due to their short lifespans and raiding lifestyles, some have formed sparks of remarkable (although not exactly outstanding) intellect.
This Ancient First was a goblin that looked like a taller, more slender one of his race; his skin was a dark green and eyes were blazing red, and he was known for the two curling horns that curved behind his large, batlike ears. He was dim-witted, and had no magical abilities to speak of.
Subspecies;
Puca
Classification: primitive goblin. Location: anywhere underground.
The puca are a race of primitive goblins and are crudely formed, even by goblin standards. They tend to be around the same size as their more numerous kin but are much thinner, sometimes appearing emaciated with longer arms and spindly legs. Their ears are large and often bat-like with large eyes that dominate their face, usually in shades of red, gold, or green though others are seen, albeit uncommon. Along their spines and on the tops of their heads, shoulders, and thighs they possess a scraggly, matted mane before giving way to wrinkly skin. Many have long thin tails covered in fine scales, the same that is found on their hands and feet. Any number of colors and markings are possible, but most are muted grey or brown hues with various darker markings. Brighter colored puca are rare and may be received suspiciously by other puca and goblins alike. Puca appear to have involuntary and constant bioluminescence in their eyes, that glow brightest in the dark - although their glow cannot be seen in daylight.
The greater majority of puca are savage when cornered and live in deep caves, often used by goblins in their mining and smithing operations as slaves. They are considered lesser beings by other goblins and so this is not considered a wrongful in their society. Subjugated and enslaved, puca are seen as little more than animals, their intelligence and cleverness tamped down and ignored. However, free puca are fully capable of learning language and even take to mischief in settled places, where they are not under the goblins' boots. They are strong for their size and nimble, very capable with basic weaponry such as a bow or small daggers, poison weapons seeming to be preferred. Coupled with their ability to carry multiple children (triplets are most common), this makes them a favorite of goblins for expendable soldiers on the battlefield. They are commonly used for hit-and-away attacks, though are very skilled in moving silently for assassination attempts - though goblins don't trust them and thus do not train their captives in such things.
Magically, puca are generally not very strong - but magical ability has been growing within the race in recent centuries. Elemental magic is weaker than non-elemental, and most free puca are proficient in a variety of arcane abilities. Those puca enslaved by goblins show little to no magical aptitude, and those that do are often killed and displayed as a warning to others. Thus, full puca mages are rare.
Small communities of these creatures can be found far from their goblin brethren, thriving and active in hidden villages far underground. These puca clothe themselves in fur and bone, and are willing to trade with the outside world - many share a fondness for dwarves, though larger creatures such as subterranean dragons frighten them. Especially adventuresome puca - usually young - may leave these communities to explore the 'World Above', and can be found in a variety of places.
