Goblins are loathsome creatures; their pointed ears and slight build might indicate that they are in the same group of species as the Forest Folk but no self respecting Elf would ever agree to such a statement. Goblins stand between two and three feet tall when erect, are of thin and bony build, have bowed legs and very long arms. Hobgoblins are a larger variety or sub-species. Because they spend so much time in subterranean tunnels and caves they are nearly always stooped; with their knuckles literally scraping along the ground. Goblins are creatures of the night, rarely appearing in daytime unless they are very hungry and hunting for prey that is active under the sun. Because of their underground existence goblins are often almost blinded by sunlight but they can see well at night. They are burrowers and diggers and have claw-like nails on their hands and feet. Goblins have no hair (they say), long pointed ears and fangs instead of teeth. They are not especially intelligent but dexterous and cunning.

These underground creatures rarely venture into cultivated lands unless in great numbers; their occasional forays are most likely to be raiding for food or loot. They will eat almost anything, including people, and are particularly partial to little Flying Faeries for some strange reason. Goblins are malicious creatures on the whole; they enjoy other peoples misfortune and seem to delight in destroying; hacking, maiming, raping and pillaging and such despicable activities. I believe goblins are a kind of people, only beastly; with no scruples or morals as other folk would see them ~ just lots of pointy teeth and nastiness. They are rather like two legged animals, only with a much nastier disposition !

A fairly typical Goblin horde

Goblin armies, or more usually, hordes, are generally made up of warbands, each of which is recruited from one clan or tribe, here six distinct such warbands are illustrated in battle array

Goblinish society is mainly tribal, small groups or clans predominate. Each tribe has a chieftain and is made up of a number of clans. Each clan is an extended family of between ten and a hundred or so individuals. The head of the clan is the meanest, toughest warrior in that family group. Likewise the Chieftain of a tribe is the toughest, meanest Clan Head, or perhaps the one who leads the biggest, most aggressive clan. Very rarely an exceptional leader will arise from the scum who succeeds in welding together different tribes and factions to create some sort of nation. However such alliances rarely last long, and never beyond the lifespan of the leader concerned. Some chieftains style themselves ‘King’ after the fashion of surface dwellers. In Goblin society ‘Might is right’ is the only law ~ so anarchy usually prevails, the weak are poor and the strong rich. It takes a very powerful leader to persuade (by force) any number of goblins to co-exist without fighting each other. War is usually limited to primitive skirmishes, mainly over food sources and plunder from previous raids. Since all goblins are malicious, sadistic and cannibals it is more usual for them to fight amongst themselves than to attack other states. This is a good thing for the rest of the Hidden Realms because they are very numerous in some regions and would pose a serious threat to other races if properly organised and controlled by a tough enough overlord.

                             Cornelius Clifford,

                                    In the Halls of Goblin studies, University of Imradd