FANTASY RACES REMIX - GOBLINOIDS
The misunderstood Goblinoids (named for their most populous subrace) are next on our documentation of the world's Races!
"Goblins are small, dexterous, and startlingly good at fighting. They travel in packs, armed with any weapon they can steal, and have hideous faces." At least that's what most would believe. Yes, they are small, yes they travel in packs, but most their weapons are smithed, and they cover their surprisingly adorable faces with intricate masks made to mimic larger creatures and predators. Goblins are fairly precocious young, usually working light jobs by age ten. They have a traditional dance involving flexible staffs, wild leaps, and clapping and stomping. They also craft and play flutes, ocarinas, trumpets, and other wind instruments to accompany their dances.
"Hobgoblins are mid sized, strong, and vicious fighters, often leading groups of Goblins in battle, and wear scavenged armor." Again, there is more to the story. Hobgoblins are indeed seen with Goblins, but are usually there as a hired pack mule, a babysitter, or as a client being escorted. Hobgoblins are more inclined to the magical arts, often becoming priests for the large pantheon of Deities worshiped by Goblinoids, and tend to the many small shrines that are scattered throughout their territories. They also tutor any who wish to learn the Mystic Arts, or those who have a natural talent. Hobgoblins love drums, and will play loud raucous performances before festivals and battles. Their hearing is slightly more sensitive, leading to higher tones being seen as very beautiful.
"Bugbears are large, violent, and brutish. They should be avoided at all costs." Bugbears are the largest Goblinoid, sometimes being mistaken as Orcs, but are also the most philosophical and thoughtful of the Goblinoids. They weave, they smith, they consider the order of the universe, and they do indeed battle mightily. They also are the premiere builders of the Goblinoids, crafting their tree homes and cavern halls. Hobgoblins favor the stringed instruments, and will dance beautifully in large groups.
Most Goblinoid communities are closed off and insular, but one village is becoming very popular after their discovery by some friendly Hobbits. A herd of young Hoblings found what they believed to be a strange baby animal stuck under a fallen tree, and hustled them home to their families. The head doctor of the village of West Windywhistle recognized them as a Goblin with a nasty broken leg, and healed the little lady up. She finally introduced herself to the children and doctor as as Aoi (after bribery with tasty meat pies), and Doctor J Springboard escorted the bandaged Gobling (and her troop of brand new friends and their parents) to the nearby redwood forest. They met a search party of Goblins and handed her off to the surprised and wary searchers, and if you could please let me check on her broken arm, and PLEASE can Aoi come and play with us when she's all better PRETTY PLEEEEEEEASE?
The next full moon (a week later), a small group of Goblins, Hobgoblins, and a pair of Bugbears made their way from Yamanarashi-Mura, in order to thank the Hobbit villagers for their help in saving little Aoi. The Hobbits were a little wary of the large group at first, but Aoi ran to meet her Hobling friends, and an adventurous Hob Youth asked about the staffs one Goblin was hefting, and a Party Broke Out (as they do in Hobbit communities). And ever since, West Windywhistle and Yamanarashi-Mura have been close friends.