Goblyns were transformed/cursed humans in 2E at least. They were hardcore too, with more HP than an ogre, auto hitting each round for 2d6 face chomping damage if both claws hit. The face chomp dealt permanent Charisma damage, and given their really good THAC0 (13!), it was fairly likely that both claws would hit.There are deathless in eberron. I think one of the ravenloft domains or a ravenloft adventure had some kind of pseudoundead "goblyns" things but don't remmber much. Yes they were spelled with a "y".