Page 41 - Volo's Guide to Monsters

tory, goblins are fawning and servile in defeat, just as in
lieve they can bully. Cunning in battle and cruel in vic-
trols the supply of whips.
and they react by lashing out at any creatures they be-
tribe, which enjoys prestige and influence because it con-
of lashers. Often the secret is guarded by one family in a
Goblins occupy an uneasy place in a dangerous world,
a whip is enough to elevate a goblin to the master caste
GOBLINS
slaves and enemies. The knowledge of how to make such
its wielder against goblins of a lower caste as well as on
They know the time has come to form a host.
whip made ofleather. This mark of his authority is used by
Maglubiyet has commanded them to come together.
Khurgorbaeyag's hoty symbof is a yellow-and-red striped
stead they know that by the fact of their meeting alone,
can wield it.
groups don't see one another as strangers or foes. In-
newed zeal and seek out more creatures upon which they
this despondency, they take up the master's whip with re-
one kind of goblinoid encounters another kind, the two
displeased their god. When they rouse themselves from
all their other gods parts within a greater whole. When
sion, which they take as a sign that they have somehow
Maglubiyet's hand joins them together, just as he made
are sometimes overtaken by sudden onsets of depres-
has its own tendencies, outlook, culture, and gods. But
those who displease him. Worshipers of Khurgorbaeyag
as different as halflings, dwarves, and elves. Each race
own accord, or a glowing cage that appears to trap foes or
On the surface, goblins, bugbears, and hobgoblins are
without a visible source, chains or ropes that move of their
they are, first of all, followers of Maglubiyet.
wrathful signs and magical blessings: the crack of a whip
their gods bowed to Maglubiyet no longer matters. Now
times makes his presence or his desires known through
goblins, the bugbears, and the hobgoblins were before
can they hope to escape its lash. Khurgorbaeyag some-
ers to be the masters of others. Only by wielding the whip
forced sadistic Nomog-Geaya to fall in line. What the
known as the Overseer. Khurgorbaeyag drives his worship-
gorbaeyag, bound the will of intractable Hruggek, and
vived Maglubiyet's ascendancy is cruet Khurgorbaeyag,
discarded. He put his foot on the neck of mighty Khur-
Goblins once had many gods, but the only one who sur-
heroes who wouldn't bend to his will were broken and
KHURCORBAEYAC: THE OVERSEER OF ALL
stood before him, mortals and deities alike. Gods and
toms. Then Maglubiyet came and conquered all who
one another, with separate faiths and different cus-
sionally abused) pets.
In bygone times the goblinoids were distinct from
vices find themselves treated like favored (though occa-
them into one people.
that are especially capable or that provide unusual ser-
goblin legions. Maglubiyet takes·three races and turns
mance out of the slaves. But humanoids and monsters
their lazy slumber. He sets the thunderous step of hob-
goblins can dish out while still getting decent perfor-
spines of cowardly goblins. He rouses bugbears from
Enslaved creatures receive the worst treatment the
Maglubiyet is truly the Conquering God. He stiffens the
these crimes go unpunished, they begin stealing people.
a society first test its defenses by stealing objects, and if
CONQUERING HOST
killing them. Goblins that run up against the fringes of
always look for ways to capture their foes instead of
GOBLINOIDS: THE
their hunting patrols encounter other beings, they
traps, snares, and nets to catch the unwary, and when
None
9-12
daunting. For miles around their lair, they employ pit
Friends betray one another
8
encounter, but they flee from opposition that seems too
1
Quarrels turn violent
Goblins seek to trap and enslave any creatures they
6
Folk indulge in decadence, excessive drinking
life is short.
Residents suffer bursts of short-term madness
5
inate other creatures whenever they can-for goblins,
Minor earthquakes strike
4
are forfeit. It is this realization that drives them fo dom-
3
Terrible storms er\.ipt
now when the Mighty One calls for it, even their souls
Animals become rabid, vicious
Their god was conquered by Maglubiyet, after all, and
2
organized, more ferocious, or more magical creatures.
Food and drink spoil
1
that can be easily dominated by bigger, smarter, more
dl2
Demonic Influence
Goblins know they are a weak, unsophisticated race
DEMONIC INFLUENCE
BEAST MASTERS AND SLAVE DRIVERS
8
Actions magically controlled by a spellcaster
goblinoids.
of greater status and as goblin tribes bow before other
blasting
their own society lower castes must scrape before those
Leader has a powerful item, such as a horn of
7
Use of nets to take captives for feasting later
6
S
Pri~~ers kept in cages and tormented
-Volo
Carry and spread disease
4
• aner thznla!
Attempts to capture -~d ~se siege engi;es·-·-
3
appreciation lor th :thens ~~ve no
2
Use of drums and screeching horns to spread fear
e . ~ound. Those hf •ad urnt her to
1
Use of tlami. ng arrows and burning pitch
pluncGred her at:~:: mori Gohlinoida
mor1es.
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Notable Behavior or Tactics
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NOTABLE BEHAVIOR 6R TACTICS
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