Hobgoblins are a minor[1] spacefaring race in the Spelljammer campaign setting, and are closely associated with other goblinoid races, including orcs, ogres, goblins, bugbears, gnolls and scro.[2][3][4]
Overview[]
At one time the hobgoblins and the other goblinoid races had a major presence in wildspace, fighting amongst themselves and against the other races in space, especially the elves. Although they were powerful, the goblinoid fleets were divided among a huge number of local chiefs, leaders and kings, and were unable to coordinate anything more than localised raids. However, considering their numbers, these raids completely depopulated whole regions of space, wiping out elven installations, human cities and dwarven citadels.
Most local kingdoms and organizations fought off these assaults as best they could, but the Elven Imperial Navy adopted their own solution: a full-fledged war against the goblinoid fleets in space. Beginning with the Battle of Kule in Greyspace, and continuing for the next decade, fully half of the various goblinoid fleets were destroyed, with the remaining forces scattered and later hunted down.
The power of the goblinoid fleets were crushed, but individual bands remain a factor in space. Those hobgoblins that survived have gone on to operate in secret if they can, in the open if they must, but always to the benefit of their own kind.[2] With the advent of the Second Unhuman War, many hobgoblin tribes have joined the war alongside the scro. Because of their martial nature, the scro trust the hobgoblins the most of all the goblinoids.[5]
Description[]
Hobgoblins are a fierce humanoid race who wage a perpetual war against all other humanoid races, and are intelligent, organized and aggressive. The typical hobgoblin is a burly humanoid 6 1/2-feet tall, and their hairy hides range in color from dark reddish-brown to dark gray, while their skin is either a dark red or a reddish-orange. Some of the larger, and hence dominant, males have blue or red noses. Their eyes are either yellowish or dark brown, while their teeth are yellow. Their garments tend to be brightly colored, often a bold blood-red, while all leather items are tinted black.[4]
Personality[]
Hobgoblins feel superior to other humanoids, especially goblins and orcs, and often employ them as cannon fodder. Hobgoblins mercenaries are willing to work for powerful or rich employers,[4] and are often employed by the scro, who trust them more than they trust other chaotic races.[5]
Combat[]
Hobgoblins are typically equipped with polearms, morningstars, spears, swords and bows, and ensure their weaponry is always polished and in good repair. Hobgoblins fight equally well in daylight as well as in the dark since they have infrared vision up to 60 feet. Hobgoblins hate elves and will always attack them first.[4]
Society[]
Hobgoblins have a nightmarish militaristic society organized into tribal groups or bands. Each tribe is intensely proud of its status, and any chance meeting with other tribes results in exchanges of verbal abuse or open fighting. Each tribe has a distinctive battle standard which is proudly carried into battle.[4]
Notable Hobgoblins[]
- The Hobgoblin Prophet was a hobgoblin shaman fighting to free all goblinoids currently under the control of the illithids on the Spelljammer.[6]
- Manmangler was a hobgoblin sub-chief stationed on Gamaro Base in Moragspace.[3]
Signature Spelljammers[]
Hobgoblins commonly use Scorpionships as their spelljamming vessels of choice.[7][8]
Koalinth[]
Koalinth are a subspecies of hobgoblin that have become adapted to marine environments. The koalinth are sleeker than their terrestrial cousins and have light green skin. They have further adapted to life underwater by evolving gills, and have developed webbed fingers and toes. The koalinth are every bit as disagreeable as their cousins and prey on everything they come across, and have a distinct preference for spears and polearms. They especially hate aquatic elves.[4]
Appendix[]
Gallery[]
External Links[]
- Hobgoblin article at the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.
- Hobgoblin article at the Eberron Wiki, a wiki for the Eberron campaign setting.
- Hobgoblin article at Greyhawkonline.com, a wiki for the Greyhawk campaign setting.
- Hobgoblin article at the Dungeons and Dragons Lore Wiki, a wiki for official Dungeons & Dragons content from every edition.
- Hobgoblin article at the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition Wiki, a wiki for official Dungeons & Dragons content from 2nd edition AD&D.
References[]
- ↑ Jeff Grubb. AD&D Adventures in Space; Lorebook of the Void, TSR, Inc., 1989, Major and Minor Races side bar (pp.50, 52 and 54)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Jeff Grubb. AD&D Adventures in Space; Lorebook of the Void, TSR, Inc., 1989, Goblin Races section, chapter 3: Spacefarers (pp.59–60)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Bruce Nesmith, SJS1 Goblins' Return, 1991, (TSR Inc.),Hobgoblin Compound section, chapter 3: Gamaro Base Description, pages 36-38
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Tim Beach et al, Monstrous Manual, 1993, (TSR Inc.), Hobgoblin entry, page 191
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Bruce Nesmith, SJS1 Goblins' Return, 1991, (TSR Inc.),Hobgoblin Compound section, chapter 3: Gamaro Base Description, page 36
- ↑ Jeff Grubb, The Legend of Spelljammer: Captains and Ships, 1991, (TSR Inc.), Personalities of the Spelljammer, pages 50-52
- ↑ Bruce Nesmith, SJS1 Goblins' Return, 1991, (TSR Inc.), page 59
- ↑ Rick Swan, SJQ1 Heart of the Enemy, 1992, (TSR Inc.), New Ships section, Appendix, pages 90 and 92