Goblin

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Greyhawk Creature
Goblin
A goblin, as depicted in the 3.5 Monster Manual (2003).
General information
Size:Small
Alignment:Chaotic neutral (5e);
Neutral Evil (3e-5e);
Lawful Evil (1e-2e-)
Type:Humanoid
Subtype:Goblinoid
Patron deity:Maglubiyet
First appearance:Monster Manual (1977)[1]

Goblins, called jebli in the Flan tongue or chebi in the Suloise language, are a fairly weak race of savage, bestial, barbaric humanoids. Goblins are the most commonly-encountered race of goblinoid, a general term applied to a number of related races.

Ecology

Goblins typically engage in nighttime raids upon their enemies, sometimes riding upon worgs. They often find themselves dominated by more powerful creatures. In combat, goblins favor overwhelming odds, ambushes, dirty tricks, and similar tactics. Goblins often go to war with kobolds, as they share similar territories. Xvarts often act as intermediaries between goblins and kobolds, usually being bullied by the goblins and in turn taking out their frustrations on the kobolds.

Environment

Goblins are found in numerous places throughout the Flanaess.

Typical physical characteristics

Goblins of the Flanaess stand about four feet tall, and tend to have lanky frames. Their eyes, coming in various hues of red, orange, or yellow, are typically glazed and dull. Skin color is found in all shades of yellow, orange, and red, with all members of an individual tribe usually being roughly the same color. Goblins typicially clothe themselves in garments of dark leather, with colors usually being solid-looking and drab.

Alignment

Goblins are usually neutral evil. Before third edition, goblins were most often lawful evil.

Society

A goblin, as depicted in the first edition Monster Manual (1977).

Goblins usually organize in bands or tribes of 20 to 800, including noncombatants. The best-known tribes include Bitter Ruin, Black Agony, Death Feast, Dire Oath, Night Terror, and Poison Wound.

Goblins are normally dominated by more powerful creatures, but all goblins swear fealty to the local goblin king nonetheless.

Religion

Goblins have their own pantheon, led by Maglubiyet. Other members of the goblin pantheon include Bargrivyek and Khurgorbaeyag.

Other deities worshipped by goblins include Iuz, Dispater, and (rarely) Meriadar.

Language

Gobins speak their own language, Goblin, a tongue shared with most other goblinoids.

Other goblinoid races

There exist a number of races related to goblins. These include:

  • Bugbears: Hairy, less numerous goblinoids of great strength and size.
  • Hobgoblins: Disciplined, warlike, human-sized goblinoids.
  • Norkers: Short goblinoids with tough hide and powerful fists.

History

Goblins were among the armies of the Fiery Kings around 3114 SD (-2400 CY). They were hired along with orcs and hobgoblins as mercenaries by both sides of the Baklunish-Suloise Wars. They fought against elves and dwarves in the Hateful Wars. They rallied to the cause of Iuz and played a significant role in overrunning the Bone March and the Pomarj.

Publishing history

Goblins were largely unchanged throughout earlier editions, with the exception of alignment, changing from lawful evil to neutral evil in third edition.

In fifth ediiton, goblins continued along the same lines as previous editions. In the first Monster Manual (2014), the were worshppers of Maglubiyet, kept bats, and rode worgs or wolves. They were still neutral evil.[2]

Volo's Guide to Monsters (2016) kept goblins about the same, expanding the detail of their culture, but they remained neutral evil.

In Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse (2021), goblins were given a fey ancestry, more resembling their real-world historical background.[3] In ages past, they served the Queen of Air and Darkness. Though this was their history, they do not necessarily even remember it, as it was even before the rise of Maglubiyet. They are not given a strict alignment of any kind, since they are presented as a playable race.[3]

Goblins continue being fey when the core rules are revised. Monster Manual (2024) once again describes them as fey, but does not mention the Queen of Air and Darkness. It does refer to Maglubiyet relocating them fromm the feywild to his realm. In this version, they are chaotic neurtral.[4]

References

Notes

Citations

  1. Monster Manual (1977).
  2. Monster Manual (2014), p.165-166.
  3. a b Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse (2021), p.20.
  4. Monster Manual (2025), p.142-143.

Bibliography

  • Conforti, Steven, ed. Living Greyhawk Official Listing of Deities for Use in the Campaign, version 2.0. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 2005. Available online:[1]
  • Gygax, Gary. Monster Manual. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1977.
———. World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.
———. Iuz the Evil. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1993.
———. Monster Mythology. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.

Disclaimer:Any lore presented through the following links does not necessarily adhere to established officially published content, and the views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the editors of this wiki.

Catefory:Goblinoids

Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index

The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.

Topic Type Description Product Page/Card/Image

Bad Dog Tribe (Goblin) People Group Tribe, Slavers, AD&D 2e 63
Bitter Ruin Tribe (Goblin) People Group Tribe, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 11
Black Agony Tribe (Goblin) People Group Tribe, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 11
Bluebottle Tribe (Hobgoblin) People Group Tribe, Dragon magazine #167 12
Bluebottle Tribe (Hobgoblin) People Group Tribe, Slavers, AD&D 2e 83
Bonecracker Squad (Goblin) People Group A2 Secret of the Slavers Stockade 31
Broken Tooth Clan (Goblin) People Group Clan, Living Greyhawk Journal #5 8
Dancing hobgoblins! Verbal communication Phrase, Dragon magazine #196 83
Death Feast Tribe (Goblin) People Group Tribe, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 11
Dire Oath Tribe (Goblin) People Group Tribe, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 11
Dripping Eye Tribe (Hobgoblin) People Group Tribe, Dragon magazine #167 12
Dripping Eye Tribe (Hobgoblin) People Group Tribe, Slavers, AD&D 2e 83
Ear-Biter Squad (Goblin) People Group A2 Secret of the Slavers Stockade 31
Evil Eye Tribe (Goblin) People Group Tribe, Dungeon magazine #073 64
Flayers Tribe (Hobgoblin) People Group Tribe, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 11
Flesh Render Tribe (Hobgoblin) People Group Tribe, Castles: Hart 48
Flesh Render Tribe (Hobgoblin) People Group Tribe, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 11
Goblin language Verbal communication Language, Dungeon magazine #148 31, 35, 41
Goblin language Verbal communication Language, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 46, 238, 239
Goblin Shield of the Pomarj +2 Item Greyhawk Adventures 87
Goblin Tooth Inn (Rauxes) Building Inn, WG8 Fate of Istus 71
Goblin War Adventure Dragon magazine #253 45
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Bastion of Faith 84-86
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, D1-2 Descent into the Depths of the Earth 5, 13, 25, 27
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Dungeon magazine #095 60
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Dungeon magazine #148 28, 30-32, 34, 35, 43-47
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, From the Ashes: References Card #08
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, From the Ashes: References Card #09
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, From the Ashes: References Card #10
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, From the Ashes: References Card #11
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, From the Ashes: References Card #14
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, GDQ1-7 Queen of the Spiders 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 43, 52, 71, 74, 82, 87, 107, 110, 121, 125
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, GDQ1-7 Queen of the Spiders: Map/Monster Booklet 10
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Greyhawk: Supplement I, OD&D 16, 23, 64
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 10, 16, 22, 24, 27, 30, 87, 90, 213
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Living Greyhawk, Living Onnwal Gazetteer, D&D 3.5e 8
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, AD&D Monster Cards, Set 2 Not Numbered
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, MC1 - Monstrous Compendium Volume 1 Insert (Goblin)
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, MC5 Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Adventures Appendix Encounter Tables
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Monster Manual 1, AD&D 1e 47
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Monstrous Manual, AD&D 2e 163
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Monstrous Manual, AD&D 2e (Premium Edition) 163
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Monster Manual 1, D&D 3.5e (Premium Edition) 133, 134
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Monster Manual 1, D&D 4e (Deluxe Edition) 135, 136-138, 141, 278
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Monster Manual 1, D&D 5e 165-166
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Manual of the Planes, AD&D 1e 39, 52
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Oerth Journal #01 18
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Oerth Journal #06 3
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Oerth Journal #08 31
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Oerth Journal #12 19
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Oerth Journal #14 37,38,40,41
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Oerth Journal #15 10,11
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Oerth Journal #20 24
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Oerth Journal #31 7
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, PHBR10 - The Complete Book of Humanoids 5, 9, 11, 13, 14, 21, 22, 32, 33, 35-36, 37, 39, 47, 50, 66, 79, 80, 81, 82, 86, 87, 90, 96, 112, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, S1-4 Realms of Horror, Adventure Booklet 58, 60
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Expedition to the Barrier Peaks: Original Adventures Reincarnated #03, D&D 5e 284
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, S4 The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth, Book One 4, 6
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Saltmarsh Encounters, D&D 5e 8
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Spelljammer Boxed Set: Lorebook of the Void 59-60, 91
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, SJR6 Greyspace 37, 54, 55, 56, 58
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Stormwrack, D&D 3.5e 4, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 213
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, U1 The Sinister Secret of Saltmarsh 6
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Vortext #08, Spring 1993 #08 21, 28
Goblin {Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) 8, 9, 11
Goblinkin Monster Oerth Journal #33 10
Goblinkin Monster War Captain's Companion Boxed Set: Book 1 63, 64
Goblinwater River (Goblinswater) Geographical feature River, Return to the Keep on the Borderland IC, 12, 22, 47
Hill Beater Tribe (Goblin) People Group Tribe, A1-4 Scourge of the Slave Lords 52, 53
Hill Beater Tribe (Goblin) People Group Tribe, Dragon magazine #167 12
Hill Beater Tribe (Goblin) People Group Tribe, Slavers, AD&D 2e 84
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Against The Giants: The Liberation of Geoff 83, 94
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus, D&D 5e 90, 128, 130, 201
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, D1-2 Descent into the Depths of the Earth 5, 13, 16, 27
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Dragon magazine #299 98
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Dungeon magazine #148 28, 30, 35, 36, 43, 44, 49
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, From the Ashes: References Card #08
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, From the Ashes: References Card #09
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, From the Ashes: References Card #10
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, From the Ashes: References Card #11
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, From the Ashes: References Card #12
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, From the Ashes: References Card #14
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, GDQ1-7 Queen of the Spiders 12, 16, 17, 52, 65, 74, 107
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, GDQ1-7 Queen of the Spiders: Map/Monster Booklet 15
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Greyhawk: Supplement I, OD&D 16, 64
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 22, 24, 27, 37, 46, 49, 50, 72, 73, 122, 210
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, I2 Tomb of the Lizard King 12
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Living Greyhawk, Living Onnwal Gazetteer, D&D 3.5e Dis, 14, 17, 29, 40, 43, 45, 48, 57, 66, 74, 75, 80, 81, 93, 101, 107, 108
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, MC1 - Monstrous Compendium Volume 1 Insert (Hobgoblin)
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, MC5 Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Adventures Appendix Encounter Tables
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Monster Manual 1, AD&D 1e 52, 53
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Monstrous Manual, AD&D 2e 191
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Monstrous Manual, AD&D 2e (Premium Edition) 191
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Monster Manual 1, D&D 3.5e (Premium Edition) 153, 154
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Monster Manual 1, D&D 4e (Deluxe Edition) 138-141, 278
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Monster Manual 1, D&D 5e 185-187
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Official AD&D Coloring Album 20
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Escape from Scant, RPGA 5, 6
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, To Catch A Traitor, RPGA 4, 5, 6, 7-12
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, The Glaive's Gambit, RPGA 5-8, 17
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Rashtai's Brother, RPGA, RPGA 4, 6, 7, 10
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, PHBR10 - The Complete Book of Humanoids 5, 9, 21, 32, 33, 35, 37, 38, 44, 50, 66, 79, 80, 81, 82, 86, 87, 107, 112, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, S1-4 Realms of Horror, Adventure Booklet 58, 65
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, S4 The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth, Book One 4, 7
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Spelljammer Boxed Set: Concordance of Arcane Space 67
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, Spelljammer Boxed Set: Lorebook of the Void 59-60
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, SJR6 Greyspace 37, 55, 56, 57, 58
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, The Scarlet Brotherhood 2
Hobgoblin {Hochebi, High Jebli} Monster Native of: Material Plane, World of Greyhawk boxed set (1983) 8, 9, 10
Hobgoblin, Marine Monster Reference SEE Koalinth (Marine Hobgoblin)
Hobgoblin, Norker Monster Reference SEE Norker
Koalinth (Marine Hobgoblin) Monster Ghosts of Saltmarsh, D&D 5e 61, 67, 83, 111, 207, 208, 238, 239
Koalinth (Marine Hobgoblin) Monster MC1 - Monstrous Compendium Volume 1 Insert (Hobgoblin)
Koalinth (Marine Hobgoblin) Monster MC5 Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Adventures Appendix Encounter Tables
Koalinth (Marine Hobgoblin) Monster Monster Manual 1, AD&D 1e 52, 53
Koalinth (Marine Hobgoblin) Monster Monstrous Manual, AD&D 2e 191
Koalinth (Marine Hobgoblin) Monster Monstrous Manual, AD&D 2e (Premium Edition) 191
Kraken Tribe {Rotting Kraken} (Hobgoblin) People Group Tribe, Dragon magazine #167 12
Kraken Tribe {Rotting Kraken} (Hobgoblin) People Group Tribe, Slavers, AD&D 2e 83, 97
Leg Breaker Tribe (Hobgoblin) People Group Tribe, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 11
Maglaret Tribe (Goblin) People Group Tribe, WGR5 Iuz the Evil 23
Marrowsucker Tribe {Marrow Sucker} (Hobgoblin) People Group Tribe, The City of Greyhawk: Adventure Cards 17
Marrowsucker Tribe {Marrow Sucker} (Hobgoblin) People Group Tribe, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 11
Meat Eater Tribe (Hobgoblin) People Group Tribe, Dragon magazine #167 12
Meat Eater Tribe (Hobgoblin) People Group Tribe, Slavers, AD&D 2e 83
Night Terror Tribe (Goblin) People Group Tribe, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 11
Poison Wound Tribe (Goblin) People Group Tribe, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 11
Pomarj, Goblins of the People Group People, The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (Folio) IC
Pomarj, Hobgoblins of the People Group People, The World of Greyhawk Fantasy World Setting (Folio) IC
Purple Squid Tribe (Hobgoblin) People Group Tribe, Dragon magazine #167 12
Puss Dripper Tribe (Hobgoblin) People Group Tribe, Dragon magazine #167 12
Puss Dripper Tribe (Hobgoblin) People Group Tribe, Slavers, AD&D 2e 83
Quiet Knife Tribe (Goblin) People Group Tribe, Slavers, AD&D 2e 63
Ripper Tribe (Hobgoblin) People Group Tribe, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 11
Scowl Tribe (Goblin) People Group Tribe, Slavers, AD&D 2e 63
Skull Smasher Tribe (Hobgoblin) People Group Tribe, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 11
Slowkillers Tribe (Hobgoblin) People Group Tribe, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 11
Squid Tribe (Hobgoblin) People Group Tribe, Slavers, AD&D 2e 83
Torturers Tribe (Goblin) People Group Tribe, Living Greyhawk Gazetteer 11
Wicked Eye Tribe (Goblin) People Group Tribe, Dragon magazine #167 12
Wicked Eye Tribe (Goblin) People Group Tribe, Slavers, AD&D 2e 84
Wolfbrother Tribe (Goblin) People Group Tribe, Dragon magazine #167 12
Wolfbrother Tribe (Goblin) People Group Tribe, Slavers, AD&D 2e 84
Wormridden Tree Tribe (Goblin) People Group Tribe, Dragon magazine #167 12
Wormridden Tree Tribe (Goblin) People Group Tribe, Slavers, AD&D 2e 84