Description

Hobgoblins trace their origins to the ancient courts of the Feywild, where they dwelled alongside their goblin and bugbear kin. When the conquering god Maglubiyet rose to power, many hobgoblins were driven from the Feywild and pressed into his legions as disciplined soldiers. Yet the Feywild left an indelible mark on them: even today, hobgoblins embody its principle of reciprocity, forging mystical bonds of obligation and respect between the giver and receiver of any gift or favor.

Physically, hobgoblins stand taller than goblins but are smaller and leaner than bugbears. They have curved, pointed ears, beetling brows, and wide mouths lined with sharp yellowed teeth. Their skin tones range from dark orange to deep red-orange, with hair varying from dark red-brown to gray. Their eyes are usually yellow or dark brown, glowing with a calculating intelligence. Male hobgoblins often display noses that turn bright red or blue during strong emotions—a trait seen as a sign of virility and strength among goblinkin.

Culture

Hobgoblins are the most organized of all goblinoids, with societies that most closely resemble those of other Kildarian races. Today, most hobgoblins live either in Anfyn or in other Kildarian cities—most notably Arland—but their roles in these two settings are very different.

In Anfyn, chaos reigns: the vast goblin population and the strong Fey influence make it a place where order and hierarchy are scarce. Hobgoblins, who thrive on structure, discipline, and clear authority, often struggle here. They take it upon themselves to impose some measure of order—organizing raids against capitalist targets, keeping track of resources, settling disputes, and generally trying to hold things together against impossible odds. Most feel underappreciated, yet their Fey heritage and kinship with other goblinoids keep them tied to Anfyn, locked in a constant and often thankless struggle against chaos itself.

Those who leave Anfyn are generally more content. They find the laws of other cities—often codified by dwarves—easy to follow, and they flourish within strict hierarchies like those of the Military Guilds or the Eldritch Inquisition. Both institutions value hobgoblins for their discipline, loyalty, and ability to follow orders without hesitation, while still being clever enough to adapt when needed. Outside of military life, some hobgoblins excel in peaceful pursuits such as business planning, accounting, or even magical research, where their strategic mindset often leads them to great success.

History

Before their enslavement, hobgoblins lived in vast tribes, often leading raids against other races. After the guilds’ great counterattack, many hobgoblins were slain, as it was well known they—not the goblins or bugbears—were the true organizers of these assaults. For this reason, little mercy was shown to them. Those who survived were either enslaved alongside goblins or forced to retreat into the wilderness. The rebellion that followed was largely driven by hobgoblin strategy and discipline, with goblin fervor giving it strength. Later, hobgoblins played a key role in defending Anfyn, taking charge of the fortifications less protected by fey magic, where classical tactics and disciplined combat were needed most against the orcs.