Goblin Hordes

[dave_o]

How Gobbo's Houses And Buildings Should Be Made:

*Goblins are wee. Thus, doors and things should be as such. If there are larger races living in tandem, such as Hobgoblins, maybe only certain places are wee. Like "Goblintown", or just specific goblin-owned joints.

*On average, Goblin's really don't care about their stink. So, things will be quite a bit more filthy than the PCs are accustomed to.

Goblin Warfare:

*One thing. Don't be above having bigger gobbo's throw little gobbo's at PCs.

 

[mmadsen]

I don't want them to be Tolkien inspired goblins.

If you don't want Tolkien-esque goblins, why are you using militant hobgoblins (Uruk-hai)? Less Tolkien-esque goblins would be more like evil gnomes: little tricksters who cast cruel spells on weary travelers.

 

[diaglo]

2ed also had Hordes of Dragonspear

a FR adventure but easily convertible.

 

[Buttercup]

They could try going through the kingdoms as travellers and not get into trouble, but then these are evil goblins with slaves, so a paladin might not be able to "not get involved"

No paladins in the party, but one of them is an ex-slave, so I don't think they'll be able to make it through the kingdoms without any confrontations. If they encounter any slave owners, the other party members won't be able to hold him back.

There might be inquisitive goblin snoops at the bars listening in on the conversations of strangers, and if they hear about this map then there might be a rival goblin party coming after them to get the treasure map.

Now that's a really good idea. The map owner has a big mouth, so it will only be a matter of time before she is seen fondling it, or overheard talking about it.

Does anybody in the party speak goblin or do they need a guide? perhaps that half-goblin rat trapper.

The halfling who received the map from her uncle speaks goblin. Too bad. It might be fun to bring Gupta along. Especially when he started whining about there not being any yummy rats out in the forest. Squirrels just don't taste the same, you know, even if you marinate them.

 

[Buttercup]

double post

 

[Buttercup]

If you don't want Tolkien-esque goblins, why are you using militant hobgoblins (Uruk-hai)? Less Tolkien-esque goblins would be more like evil gnomes: little tricksters who cast cruel spells on weary travelers.

Just because the goblins in my world are warlike, doesn't mean they are Uruk-hai. There are other possible models for warlike societies, and that's what I'm shooting for. The Uruk-hai are directed by a human. (Well, sort of. Saruman is more of an immortal like Gandalf. But you get my drift.) I'd like them to be self directed. And I'm trying to pin down what motivates them, and what their culture would be like.

I think the suggestions I'm getting offer plenty of options that aren't exactly like the Uruk-hai.

 

[TiQuinn]

I remember a 2nd edition module called "The Silver Key" whose plot involved sneaking into a orc/goblin city magically disguised as orcs. I don't recall how much detail the module went into, or whether or not it was really any good, but if you can find it on the cheap, it may be worth a look.

As far as goblin warfare, the goblinoid lands in previous campaigns that I ran were a breeding ground for diseases and nasty poisons. The goblins used these things liberally on their weapons. Filth (and all that stems from it) is just a way of life for the goblins. Could be that they lose just as many goblins to diseases as to actual warfare. If you play something like that up to hilt, PCs wouldn't want to go anywhere near goblins unless they really, really had to.

 

[cptg1481]

I remember a 2nd edition module called "The Silver Key" whose plot involved sneaking into a orc/goblin city magically disguised as orcs. ....

I love this one myself, it is reminecent of the BGII thing of being disguised as drow or something.

I mean the players would have to struggle with the ethical delimas of actually acting like goblins to make it past suspisious or especially observant guards etc.. I mean they'd blow thier cover if they inteviened in say a public execution or the flogging of a slave etc.

I think it would be fun to see the PC's squirm in the various delemas of daily goblin life, having to balance the need to maintain thier cover and get to where they want to go vs doing the "right thing" could lead to some excellent role playing opportunites. I mean they "could" make it through the valley without any combat at all but at what price to thier honor/values.

I'd love to read the angst in the character journals as they stifle thier interventions to save themselves. That along with the inter-party role playing to determine courses of action could be hours of entertainment for you as DM.


Anyway, just my thoughts....I've read alot of your stuff I'm sure that no matter what you choose it'll be enjoyable for your palyers and well thought ut.

 

[mmadsen]

Just because the goblins in my world are warlike, doesn't mean they are Uruk-hai.

My point was that the highly martial, man-sized Hobgoblin is Tolkien's Uruk-hai; I don't know any other source for it (except derivative ones, of course).

If you want to get away from Tolkien, I'd recommend going with another model for your goblins, e.g. make them fey tricksters who will kill humans as a comedically lethal prank.

 

[Mike Sullivan]

I think that playing up goblin sneakyness could be a good idea.

Imagine if the majority of the "combatative"-style Goblins didn't have levels in Warrior or Fighter, but in Rogue instead (or Rogue-skill-focussed Experts), and if their concept of war was more one of massive-scale commando operations than the human style of regiments and concentration of force?

That could explain why the humans and the goblins have a relatively stable border despite mutual antagonism -- they can't effectively face each other. Humans crush goblins on the field, while goblins make any kind of human occupation of their territory prohibitively expensive by continuous and brutal guerilla operations conducted by huge portions of the populace.