Goblin

Goblins were initially a species of orc that branched off at some point during the Dark Ages. Since then they have evolved to become a distinct species. Goblins are still close enough to the other blackbloods species to interbreed; although these matings are rarely successful. Only the larger hobgoblins can consistently mate successfully with orcs.

Goblins are humanoid creatures that can stand nearly four and a half (4.5) feet when fully erect; although they spend most of their time semi-erect. They have lean bodies with arms that can nearly reach their knees. A goblin's head is wider than most humanoids with large forward facing eyes and longer ears that extend out from the sides of their heads. Their ears have muscles allowing goblins to listen in other directions without rotating their heads. A goblin can rotate their head over one-hundred (100) degrees from side to side, far larger than humans.

Goblin skin is thick, rough, and well-suited to retaining water which allows goblins to go longer periods of time without food or water. Goblins are tough and resilient, but the downside is that goblins have difficulty in hotter climes with overheating due to their limited ability to sweat.

Goblins live very short lives with many of them considered elderly upon reaching their thirtieth (30) year. Both sexes reach physical maturity by their fourth (4) year and sexual maturity around their sixth (6). Goblin females have a short gestation cycle of only four (4) months and give birth to three (3) to four (4) children. Goblin offspring are fed by their mother typically for the first (1) year of their life, but they will stay with their mother until they are mature.

Goblin females only have two breasts, so typically only the largest of her offspring get enough nourishment until they have been weaned. It is very common for at least one (1) of the children to die before they have been weaned.

Due to the short breeding cycle of goblins they have managed to branch off two distinct sub-species in a relatively short time.

This is the most common goblin found representing over 75% of the goblins upon the world.

A hobgoblin is the child of an orc and goblin.

Most scholars believe that Bugbears represent the first off-shoot from orcs and that goblins are an off-shoot of Bugbears; however, at this time this is little more than academic speculation. Bugbears are both more physically imposing and more intelligent than their goblin kin, but they are also a dying species. Once Bugbears comprised over sixty percent (60%) of all goblinkind, but now their numbers have shrunk to less than ten percent (10%) of goblins. This has not simply been a reduction in percentage because goblin numbers have grown so quickly, but their numbers have shrunk in absolute terms.

Male and Female Bugbears stand around nearly six feet tall (6 feet) with a muscular chest and strong limbs. Although their jawline and head more closely resemble orcs, they do not have tusks or the superior olfactory senses. Likewise they do not have the near berserk-like rage that inflicts most orcs.

Bugbear females will carry their young for longer (8 months) and the children will not reach maturity until their tenth (10) year. Multiple births are rare among bugbears with less than 5% of births being two (2) children. A Bugbear is not considered elderly until their forty-fifth (45) year and many of them can live into their sixtieth (60) year.

Main Article: Kobold

This very intelligent species of goblin are natural shapeshifters and users of draconic power, which makes them very different from the rest of their goblin-kin. It is believed that Kobolds branched off from goblins less than ten-thousand (10,000) years ago during the Return of the Gods. Since that time they have grown to account for nearly fifteen percent (15%) of the goblin species. Although they do not breed as often as goblins, their births are far more successful. Physically they show signs of draconic, goblin, and elfin heritage.

• List of Blackbloods
• Hobgoblin