Page 59 - Ultimate-Bestiary-Revenge-of-the-Horde-5E

H the troop, in ghting pits. Although watching prisoners get torn
Hill Goblinsill Goblins
About three-and-a-half feet tall, skin tending towards an orange apart by wolves is amusing enough for most, there is a constant
tan, oversized ears, bulbous, porcine nose and a particularly nasty hunger for novelty in their entertainment; some troops become
attitude; the subrace most familiar to civilized peoples (and most very well traveled in their search for strange and exotic beasts to
cursed by caravaneers the world over), hill goblins are the goblin as bring back for the pit ghts.
far as most are concerned.
On the whole the best equipped goblins, given the better quality Environment
of the materials they are able to loot, it is not uncommon for hill Hill goblins have no real preference to the environment they
troops to be decked out in bits and pieces of ne-quality leather inhabit. e only requirements are a few caves or other shady,
and steel. Some enterprising troops even have the facilities (and hidden areas scattered around well-tra cked roads. For this
faculties) to cra their own metal weapons and armor which will reason, a hill goblin troop is quite portable, so they su er less from
generally be barbed, hooked, or otherwise unnecessarily injurious. being displaced or driven out of an area. e troop will generally
is gives them far greater variability in arms, so scimitars, axes take over a cavern complex, or a ruined fort if they’re lucky, as a
and other bladed weapons are common which, along with superior base of operations where they will store their scavenged wealth and
armor, allow hill goblins to become the dominant subrace where prisoners.
multiple goblin groups cohabit. Where such features do not already exist, hill goblins will dig out,
or crudely construct, a series of interlinking escape tunnels. ese
Culture tunnels are designed to be a squeeze for a typical goblin and nigh
Hill goblins are the most organized subrace, taking some on impossible for larger races to t into, let alone navigate through
inspiration from their hobgoblin cousins, though with none of the pitch blackness and intentionally confusing layout.
their discipline or physical power. For example, they constantly From their central base, scouting parties will range out by night
‘drill’ their troops, a process which consists mainly of stronger looking for promising and well-traveled ambush sites, spending
goblins beating weaker ones until they get tired, and attempt their days hiding in crevices or undergrowth. Temporary camp will
hobgoblin strategies in battle, though goblins tend to become then be established around the site, in a nearby cave if possible,
distracted by more immediate threats and opportunities too much and work will begin on preparing the area. In this, if nothing else,
for these to be used e ectively, not to mention their cowardice far hill goblins are remarkably sophisticated and adaptable, using
outweighs their respect for authority. their environment to the best advantage they can. In hilly areas,
Of all the goblins, hill goblins are the most likely to keep captive rockslides will be rigged, forested areas will have trees ready to
other races and animals. Wolves or worgs are a favorite, with most fall, garrotes strung between trunks, and spiked rams prepared
troops’ chiefs keeping one or two, or even a whole pack, both to to swing into the path. In almost every instance, the track will be
ward against external threats and to keep underlings in line. eir undermined and ready to collapse into spiked pits, and hunting
favored form of entertainment is pitting their captives against one blinds will be erected, allowing the goblins to attack their victims
another, and against more bloodthirsty (or unlucky) members of at a disadvantage, at range, and while hidden.

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Chapter 3: Goblins