Page 83 - Ultimate-Bestiary-Revenge-of-the-Horde-5E

As well as the large-scale consumption of their surroundings, Combat Tactics
hobgoblins make huge changes on a local level; their forti cations
are second to none. Upon occupying a new area, every hobgoblin Hobgoblins excel at ghting as an e cient unit and maintain
and slave’s e orts will be focused on digging lines of trenches, their discipline in the face of all but the most unusually erce
clearing surrounding forest to remove cover and provide wood for opposition. ey coordinate their varied skills to best suit the
lines of stakes, and serviceable stockades can spring up in a matter situation, most commonly using an advancing line of shields to
of a few days. Over time, if the hobgoblins remain, this wooden allow ranged troops to keep up a constant volley or to force foes
skeleton will be reinforced with clay or mud or, in some cases, together for more lightly-equipped skirmishers to harry. If their
replaced piece by piece with stonework if they are able. formations are broken up, they will attempt to make the best of the
situation by anking their enemy with two smaller units.
Roleplaying Hobgoblins In large scale combat, their most common formations are Kraana,

Hobgoblins are hard, unrelenting and uncompromising, but they (‘the teeth’, where seemingly weak areas of the front line are
are not fools. It is not unheard of for them to cooperate with other presented to draw in an attack; when the enemy drives these areas
races if their aims overlap, or even for a tribe to be employed back, the stronger units to either side close in and envelope them)
as a large scale mercenary force if the reward is good enough, Jaashk (‘the spear’, where the strongest and most heavily armored
regardless of the ideals of their employer. Pragmatic and cold, units are concentrated in a spear point to force an opening in
hobgoblins are not the world’s best conversationalists; small talk enemy lines), and Jaakja (‘the hedgehog’, where the infamous pike-
is more or less unheard of, and an outsider can only realistically walls are used to drive enemies towards unfavorable terrain).
expect to hear boasts, war stories, and impassioned discussion of If their losses begin to mount up, or the chances of victory begin
preferred combat tactics. to slim, hobgoblins are not too proud to withdraw to ght another
Most hobgoblins take the view that other races are needlessly day. It is incredibly rare for this to take the form of a disorganized
decadent and that theirs is a superior and purer way of life, rout as with most races; hobgoblin battle-plans usually account for
making little e ort to hide these views in mixed company. is a chance of failure, so there will be provisions in place to fall back
understandably leads to some ill will from others, and a few to a defensible position in an orderly fashion once things start to
hobgoblins take joy in goading others to the point that weapons
hobgoblins take joy in goading others to the point that weapons turn against them.
are drawn as a demonstration of their own restraint and their
are drawn as a demonstration of their own restraint and their
opponent’s lack of discipline.
Language and Common Namesanguage and Common Names
L
H
Hobgoblins speak plainly, and their language re ects this. It is obgoblins speak plainly, and their language re ects this. It is
less clipped and chattering than basal Goblin, but still favors hard s clipped and chattering than basal Goblin, but still favors hard
les
consonants. It is rare for a word to have more than one meaning, nsonants. It is rare for a word to have more than one meaning,
co
and existing words are clumped together to
describe new concepts.
Hobgoblins bear short, sharp names, easy to bark
Hobgoblins bear short, sharp names, easy to bark
orders to and di erentiate in battle, multisyllabic names
orders to and di erentiate in battle, multisyllabic names
are rare, and generally only found amongst high ranking o cers.
are rare, and generally only found amongst high ranking o cers.
Hobgoblin Names: Borkol, Daksh, Garl, Gorshk, Grak, Karsh,
Borkol, Daksh, Garl, Gorshk, Grak, Karsh,
Korb, Krach, Rachka, Rakst, Skaal, Stol, Trosk, Zask
Korb, Krach, Rachka, Rakst, Skaal, Stol, Trosk, Zask

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Chapter 4: Hobgoblins