Hobgoblins

Hobgoblins (Hurras in their own, harsh sounding language) are a well-organized, militaristic, nomadic culture of orange skinned humanoids. They live in light, strong circular tents called yurta. Males and females, and even children if the need arises, fight with unusual, well-made weapons: javelins, curved longswords called yatagans, large double-bladed combat knives and spiked, light shields used for offense and defense. Over 60% of Hurras are left handed. About 20% are naturally ambidextrous and fight with paired weapons. Large battle axes, spiked shields, yatagans and double handed maces with a spike at the end of the handle are the most common infantry weapons. Leaders are clad in the best metallic armor available and use a rattleblade, a large sword with metal rings, to signal orders to their troops. Hobgoblin archers use composite bows of wood, horn and sinew. Elite archers are trained to predict the turning of the steppe wind and use it to their advantage.

Hobgoblins have good smiths. Their metallurgy is almost on par with the Dwarves, but have limited access to ores, so any metal weapons they conquer from opponents are a welcome bounty. They are seen as evil by the other races because they do not show compassion for the weak or the ill, not even for their own kind, and gladly resolve any dispute with brute force or trial by combat.

Hobgoblins see themselves as pragmatists, hardened by the rigors of life on the steppes. They respect Dwarves but do not fear them. However, they never attempt to raid Dwarven strongholds or underground cities. In centuries of forced co-existence with Dwarves, Hobgoblins have conquered only one dwarven stronghold on the West side of the mountains, Luar, known today as Luar The Fallen, and that only happened thanks to demonic intervention and treason.

Hobgoblin do not have a true religion but have a caste of shamans called Mistmancers who learn to control weather to affect battlefield conditions and protect villages. Recently, some hobgoblin tribes have been initiated into demonic cults. They worship the sadistic demon god Koylak, also known as the Serrated Blade.

Hobgoblins ride large, vicious hyaenodons that strike terror into dwarven hearts. Dwarves call these animals “Beardbiters” because of their penchant for biting at the neck.

Demonic Hobgoblins

The Demonic Hobgoblins are a formidable force that haunts the plains and steppes found in the central areas of the three larger continents, An-Mòr, Andamon and Kardalok. These clans of hobgoblins are devoted worshippers of powerful demons and other otherworldly entities, and in exchange for their loyalty and devotion, their demonic masters have gifted them with suits of burning, red hot heavy armor that imbue them with great strength and resilience, and limited teleportation abilities. They use this teleportation to surprise their opponents and to offset the limitation of movement imposed by their armor. A demonic hobgoblin can teleport for a distance not greater than 12-15 yards, and generally this happens only once or twice over the course of a battle.

The Demonic Hobgoblins are immune to poison, disease, and all fire-based spells and attacks, including the effects of flaming oil. This immunity to fire is due to their demonic fire nature, which allows them to harness the power of flames and harness it to their will. They are typically armed with a single javelin and a melee weapon. Wherever they appear, a smell of Sulphur and charred metal follows them.

Their leaders have the best suit of armors and are often equipped with the so-called demonglaives, two-handed blades that can cut a man in half with a single blow.

However, despite their formidable defenses, the Demonic Hobgoblins are vulnerable to holy water, which can seep through their armor and affect them, dousing their hellfire and burning their flesh as acid.

Those who face the Demonic Hobgoblins in battle should be prepared for a tough fight, as these fierce warriors will stop at nothing to prove their worth to their demonic masters. Their morale and military preparedness is legendary.