Goblins are a minor humanoid race characterized by very short stature and large ears. While sentient, goblins are often perceived as savages by other races, which either pushes them to the edges of society or prompts them to form their own communities in remote areas. A sub-race of goblins known as leprechauns inhabits Brokilon forest.
History[]
Goblins already lived in the areas of modern-day Northern Kingdoms when the First Landing happened in the 760s. They fought several wars with Nordlings, ultimately losing and retreating further into wilds.[3]
Up to the first half of the 13th century, a notable goblin faction who inhabited the Kestrel Mountains practically controlled parts of the range but was subdued by the Rangers led by huntress and mercenary Merrinda Hewroth.[4]
Culture[]
Goblins are generally nocturnal creatures: they dislike daylight and are active above ground primarily during the night.[5] They seem to have had influence over several pre-human races such as kobolds and ogres who have adopted Goblin language for their own use. Ever since the rise of "civilized" societies, goblins and members of other races deemed "primitive" have been forming bandit parties and warbands to fight back.[1] Humans often don't differentiate between goblins and ogroid kobolds specifically, perceiving both as noisy savages and mischievous vandals and thieves who steal food and equipment from villages and mines.[2]
In human cities, public venues like the Claremont Arena sometimes employ goblins as gladiators who face off against wolves, endregas, and other dangerous beasts; whether this role is voluntary or not is not apparent.[6]
Dryads of Brokilon aren't hostile towards leprekauns.[3]
Characteristics[]
a leprechaun
Goblins are short: they grow no taller than human children.[3] They have large, pointed ears[2][7] and their wrinkled visage resembles young gnomes, especially in case of leprechauns with their huge noses.[2] Their skin tones range from pale grey, through yellow or greenish tones[7] to brown.[2][7]
Notes[]
- The concept art drawn by Pixoloid Studios for Netflix's The Witcher appears to conflate goblins and gnomes (characters labeled "criminals / thiefs" resemble Sapkowski's goblins while the "average townfolks" fit the description of gnomes) but as of now it's unknown whether the two races are indeed treated as one in the TV show.
Trivia[]
- Andrzej Sapkowski wrote a feuilleton titled Ya hoi! Ya hoi! Ya harri hoi! about the origin and role of goblins and similar creatures in the fantasy genre. A copy of it can be found here.