Page 51 - Volo's Guide to Monsters

their wonts. Typical of any camp are the wide paths that
among those they conquer, as an aid to maintaining or-
the host will also respect traditions of law and custom
have their separate quarters, organized according to
than that to which the inhabitants were accustomed. Yet
Inside the surrounding bulwark, the goblinoids all
goblinoids can rally their defenses.
down upon the vassals, and it is liable to be harsher
linoid rule. The hobgoblins bring their own legal code
barriers do a good job of delaying any incursion until the
prise. If an enemy force does approach, though, these
surviving victims quickly learn to adapt to life under gob-
occupants aren't concerned about being taken by sur-
When a host conquers a settlement or a community, the
gates aren't regularly manned or patrolled, because the
LIFE IN A SLAVE STATE
gate and a tower on either end. These outer walls and
of their heads as fresh trophies, and leave.
sections of a wooden palisade, each part capped with a
the bugbears turn on their hobgoblin leaders, take a few
of the enclosed area. Inside this ring of excavation are
the host as a sign that Maglubiyet is no longer looking,
in places where wide paths provide access to the center
hobgoblins are distracted. Then, seeing the disarray of
pose dig a ditch around the desired location, interrupted
begin infighting, and goblins shirk their duties while the
the site, slaves, goblins, and any beasts fit for the pur-
the goblinoids eventually fray. Legions of hobgoblins
The basic layout of a war camp is circular. To prepare
sort don't keep coming, the bonds of allegiance among
area by a host that is actively campaigning.
territory they previously took over. If triumphs of some
represent a location constructed to serve as a staging
or at least claim victories when the goblinoids defend
map depicts one such place, and it can also be used to
if the military can continue achieving new conquests
hobgoblin legion uses as a garrison. The accompanying
true nation. Such an empire might last for generations
A war camp might be a permanent settlement that a
ing vast amounts of territory and eventually become a
for war, and the hobgoblins run it accordingly.
A host that gains many victories might end up claim-
goblinoid war camp is a place that is constantly ready
ter and slavery to empty it of enemies.
when they make camp, it isn't for rest and recreation. A
ing value to the host do the goblinoids resort to slaugh-
A goblinoid army doesn't stay on the move forever, but
when a settlement offers stiff resistance or has no last-
GOBLINOID WAR CAMP
to produce resources that the goblinoids can use. Only
quered people serves the host best when it continues
is used to decapitate all who refuse to bow to him.
ing drop-off in production. In any case, a group of con-
become chopping blocks where Maglubiyet's bloody axe
than before the goblinoids' conquest, with a correspond-
are soaked in blood. Statues are put in chains. Altars
labor force likely includes more youngsters and elderly
apart. Stained glass is shattered. Flags and pennants
munity to continue to produce goods and services. The
thrown down, ruined, or marred. Mosaics are broken
the population in a conquered settlement for the com-
One. All representations of the defeated gods are
Typically, a goblinoid host seeks to retain enough of
gods, these are converted into shrines to the Mighty
the host, if they prove to be capable and trustworthy.
If the settlement has holy sites dedicated to conquered
quered people might be accepted as auxiliary units in
only two options: submit or die.
goblin whips and chains. Warriors among the con-
that resistance is pointless. Maglubiyet ultimately offers
proper tribute, they can even look forward to avoiding
as it takes for the priest to succumb and for others to see
no resistance get fair and honest treatment. If they offer
cause the priest will face a succession of foes-as many
people. Those who surrender to the host with little or
remains faithful to some other god rarely lasts long, be-
instead a practice of claiming territory and subjugating
superiority of your god in combat. Any such priest who
the raiding of ores or the wanton slaughter of gnolls. It is
choice: Turn to the worship of Maglubiyet, or prove the
Warfare in the name of Maglubiyet isn't conducted like
of deities of battle or conquest, they offer them a simple
GONQ,UEST AND OccUPATION
can escape this fate. When the host encounters priests
are deemed harmless, such as a deity of the harvest,
this function.
servants who offer any resistance. Clergy of gods that
to be acquired, goblins and beasts of burden perform
The host eliminates any spiritual leaders or temple
of war while surrounded by its users. If slaves have yet
In matters of religion, there is little or no flexibility.
the center of the army, dragging along the equipment
identify any who are disloyal to the host.
If the host has slaves, they pull wagons or sledges in
sessed by serving as agents of the goblinoids, helping to
ing more privilege and power than they previously pos-
carried into battle like a standard and used to rally troops.
leaders are allowed to retain their positions, often gain-
by Maglubiyet, and as a result these young goblinoids are
der by pacifying the population. Some surviving civilian
they keep for life. The Warborn are thought to be blessed
on campaign. Such offspring are called Warborn, a title
come into the host already pregnant and give birth while
time immemorial.
goblinoids and ores of the world against one another since
The taboo doesn't extend to female goblinoids that
other ore gods to heel, a mythic contest that has pitted the
fully campaigns for years.
slavering ore hordes in a bid to bring Gruumsh and the
offspring to be born among the host even when it success-
nal battle. There Maglubiyet marshals his host against
the taboo can bring summary execution, so jt is rare for
join his Army of Immortals in Acheron, the plane of eter-
so that all effort js focused on the task at hand. Breach of
bers to copulate. Such proclivities must be suppressed
the chance to prove his or her worth to Maglubiyet and
While a host pursues conquest, it is taboo for its mem-
The war horns of the host signal that every goblinoid has
THE WARBORN
MAGLUBIYET'S ARMY OF IMMORTALS