Page 186 - Monster Manual [11th Print]

H O B G O B L I N S

War horns sound, stones fly from catapults, and the
thunder of a thousand booted feet echoes across
the land as hobgoblins march to battle. Across the
borderlands of civilization, settlements and settlers
must contend with these aggressive humanoids, whose
thirst for conquest is never satisfied.
Hobgoblins have dark orange or red-orange skin, and
hair ranging from dark red-brown to dark gray. Yellow
or dark brown eyes peer out beneath their beetling
brows, and their wide mouths sport sharp and yellowed
teeth. A male hobgoblin might have a large blue or red
nose, which symbolizes virility and power among
goblinkin. Hobgoblins can live as long as humans,
though their love of warfare and battle means
that few do.
Goblinoids. Hobgoblins belong to a family of
creatures called goblinoids. They are often found
lording over their cousins, the smaller goblins and the
ferocious bugbears.
M a rtial M i ght. A hobgoblin measures virtue by
physical strength and martial prowess, caring about
nothing except the opportunity to demonstrate skill
and cunning in battle. Hobgoblins of high military
rank attain their positions by force, then hold those
positions by imposing their authority through
draconian measures.
Hobgoblins train to fight with a variety of weapons,
and have great skill at crafting arms, armor, siege
engines, and other military devices. Organized and
disciplined, they take exceptional care of their weapons,
armor, and personal possessions. They favor the bold
colors associated with their tribes, and trim their
often-elaborate uniforms with blood-red piping and
leather dyed black.
Military Legions. Hobgoblins organize themselves
into tribal bands known as legions. In their martial
society, every hobgoblin has a rank, from the powerful
leaders and champions, to the rank-and-file foot
soldiers, to the goblins that find themselves driven
into the front lines at spear point. A legion is headed
by a warlord with several captains serving under its
command. A hobgoblin warlord is a ruthless tyrant
more interested in strategy, victory, glory, reputation,
and dominion than leading troops into battle.
As loyal and disciplined as hobgoblins are in their
own legion, rival legions compete constantly for
reputation and status. Meetings between legions
erupt in violence if troops aren't restrained, and only
exceptionally powerful leaders can force legions to
cooperate on the battlefield.
Strategic T h in kers. Hobgoblins have a strong grasp
of tactics and discipline, and can carry out sophisticated
battle plans under the direction of a strategically
minded leader. However, they hate elves and attack
them first in battle over any other opponents, even if
doing so would be a tactical error.
Legions often supplement their ranks with less
reliable and more expendable troops, including goblins,
bugbears, ores, evil humans, ogres, and giants.