Menaces

Goblins are the creations of the Gods during the Era of War. It is theorized that they were intended to serve as fodder for the Foul hordes, weakening the enemy so that the stronger monstrosities created by the Gods would more easily defeat their demonic foes. Today, they are a deadly nuisance to anyone unfortunate enough to encounter them. Goblins dig out nests and take refuge wherever they can find shelter, including forests, caves, abandoned buildings, hills, and nearly every other imaginable location.

While they could not be classified as nomadic, it would also be inaccurate to label them as tribal. They are ravenous hordes that only know how to destroy and consume. They follow no codes or laws, and the right to rule is granted to the most ruthless goblin in a group. Goblins are superstitious and often worship at makeshift shrines. The most effective way to deal with a goblin is through violence, as they only respond to brutality and can be easily frightened away. Interestingly, goblins harbor a strong disdain for the Foul. This aversion likely stems from their creation as mere fodder for the Foul; if a single Foul entity happens to wander into goblin-controlled territory, it will quickly be overwhelmed by a swarm of goblins.

Kobolds are considered the magical mishaps of ancient dragons. Unlike their relatives, the Dragonborn, Kobolds are viewed as a blight on Dragonkind. They were created by The Ancient Dragon Moreos, who intended for them to be subservient to the Dragonborn. However, the ancient dragons were not as skilled at creating life as The Pantheon of the Nine, resulting in Kobolds that are small, quarrelsome, greedy, and argumentative creatures. Like their draconic ancestors, Kobolds can come in any color and inhabit craggy or mountainous regions. They raid and pillage to survive, often stealing and raising animals like goats or chickens. Unlike Goblins, who typically steal everything they need, Kobolds will actually produce goods for their use.

These creatures are loosely organized into tribes, each led by the oldest and wisest Kobolds. They place great value on tradition, and the elder's word is considered law for nearly every Kobold. Kobolds tend to gather hoards of loot, driven by an inherent desire to become proper dragons, similar to their Dragonborn relatives. Due to their ancestry, some Kobolds are naturally inclined to possess magical abilities, which often leads them to become tribe leaders at a young age.

Despite their reputation as nuisances, Kobolds are credited with a significant historical accomplishment. The Shattered Peaks were once overrun with Goblins, making it impossible for Dragons, Dragonborn, and undead beings to dislodge them, as the Goblins hid in the cracks of the crags and raided by moonlight. The Kobolds perceived these small, scaleless invaders as a threat and succeeded in hunting them to extinction in The Shattered Peaks. While Kobolds may be troublesome, they are the sole reason The Shattered Peaks are now free of Goblins.

Many Orks reside in large cities like Kra-Gutz, but Orks found guilty of crimes are often exiled rather than imprisoned or executed. This form of punishment is considered much harsher by Ork standards and leads to the formation of small tribes in the wilds of Felder. These communities tend to be small, unruly, and often plagued by crime. While Orks as a species are not inherently a menace, these small tribal bands can be dangerous, as they frequently resort to banditry to survive. Orks who are forced to steal and kill to get by should be viewed as more than mere bandits; they often display a level of savagery and desperation that sets them apart from their more civilized and respectable kin.

Bullywugs are malevolent frogmen that inhabit warm, murky waters. Their actions devastate the environment, leaving the affected lands odorous and barren. Similar to the insidious Goblins, Bullywugs are often targeted for extermination by civilized races; however, their large size and tenacity make them more challenging to defeat than Goblins. Bullywugs thrive in murky waterways and swamps, which are abundant in Bail, Felder, and parts of Sindare. Their villages are concealed within mangroves and thickets, making them challenging to spot even during the day. While they typically don’t raid large settlements, they still pose a significant threat to anyone living in swamps or marshes.

The environmental consequences of prolonged Bullywug habitation cannot be overstated, as they can ravage entire countrysides if unchecked. These creatures are also known to tamper with magical forces, and the leader of a Bullywug tribe is usually the most skilled mage among them. This hierarchical structure often leads the unwitting Bullywugs to form pacts with the Foul to enhance their power, resulting in disastrous effects if no one intervenes to eliminate this amphibious menace. The dark magic they wield can quickly poison the land, and it often takes seasoned druids and naturalists many years to restore the affected areas to their former state.

Sahuagin are malevolent, fish-like creatures that inhabit the oceans of Gevadun. Found in the coastal waters of more hospitable areas, the Sahuagin pose a threat to anyone trying to make a living at sea. They establish small underwater villages in secluded locations, but these don't last long, as they follow large schools of game fish for sustenance. Sahuagin frequently raid fishing vessels, poorly protected ports, and docks in search of supplies. They can create tools from materials gathered from the sea; however, the wooden and metal tools of civilized peoples are typically far superior. As a result, Sahuagin often steal tools and other resources from coastal towns. Usually, they avoid direct confrontations with others, preferring instead to take what they need without getting into conflict. Unless disturbed or antagonized, they are unlikely to use violence.

When pressed into violence, Sahuagin are less like men and more like the sharks they resemble. They wield barbaric weapons with terrifying strength, and their teeth are serrated and perfectly shaped to cleave flesh from bone. Sahuagin differ significantly from Merfolk in terms of intelligence. While Merfolk are generally capable of forming large societies and interacting constructively with other races, the brutal simplicity of the Sahuagin mind hinders them from higher thought. Describing Sahuagin as “sea goblins” is misleading, but it is accurate to say they lack advanced intelligence and cognitive function.

Gnolls are Foul-born hyena folk that inhabit all the realms, but are most prevalent in places with strong Foul energy. The origin of Gnolls remains a mystery, though the most widely accepted theory suggests that they are a sort of rancid afterbirth of the Dregs. Gnolls devastate landscapes and brutalize anything in their path. Their violent tendencies have earned them a notorious reputation, and among the various nuisances of Gevadun, Gnolls are the most reviled. While some other threats in Gevadun can often be dealt with non-violently, Gnolls can only be confronted with violence. Militias, Foul Hunters, and even professional armies are frequently called upon to eliminate the gnoll threat.

Gnolls tend to inhabit the ruins they create and the barrows they dig. However, they do not stay long in any given location, as they scar the landscape like locust plagues. In this sense, Gnolls afflict the land like Bullywugs, though Bullywugs ravage the land through magical means while Gnolls do so in a more physical manner. Universally lacking in creativity, Gnolls rely on scavenged weapons and armor to meet their needs. A gnoll infestation can be identified from a distance; their Foul origins and natural rankness create a noxious odor that can be detected from miles away. Gnolls hunt in packs and are incredibly dangerous. Lone adventurers and wanderers must remain vigilant, as encountering a pack of Gnolls is perhaps one of the grimmest fates one could endure.