Goblin

Physical Form

Goblins are a short subterranean species that originated in the Lobrandr Hills, adapted to live their entire lives either nocturnally or underground in the many cave systems of Dûnathel. They have large, bat-like ears capable of picking up even on extremely faint sounds. Their short stature and thin frame allow them to fit easily through underground passageways. Goblins can see quite well in the dark, able to navigate by very dim light. Every goblin sports a unique pattern of bioluminescent spots, which they can dim or brighten at will. Goblins use these spots to identify each other, convey emotion, communicate silently when the need arises, and they may even be flashed brightly in a strobing pattern to disorient enemies.

Goblin skin generally comes in shades of green or blue. Their hair is usually dark green, dark blue, or black, and most often straight or wavy in texture. The hair acquires grey or white streaks as the goblin ages, with only the most ancient of elders being fully white. Their eye color is dependent on their age: goblins are born with pitch black eyes, which gradually lighten to their adulthood bright yellow or green, which gradually washes out to nearly white as they grow older. Goblin pupils are oblong and sideways, much like a goat's.

Goblins are usually 3'7" to 4'1" feet tall and 37-43 pounds on average. There is no difference in average height and weight between females and males.

Lifespan and Reproduction

Goblins are the shortest-lived species on Dûnathel, expected to live 60-65 years in total. They are considered preteens at 8, teens at 11, adults at 14, middle aged at 30, and elderly at 45.

Goblin pregnancy lasts about 6 months, and usually results in one or two children, with single births being about twice as common as twins. Fertile periods occur roughly once a month.

Diet

A goblin's usual diet consists of insects and fungi, with the occasional bit of plant matter (typically moss or lichen) or red meat mixed in. Though goblins may ingest a wide variety of insects and fungi, they often report the subterranean species taste better than those that live topside.

Notable Attributes and Abilities

Goblins are capable of flickering their bioluminescent spots in a bright strobe pattern, which has the effect of disorienting opponents whose eyes are adjusted to dim or dark lighting. Doing somewhat drains the reserves of chemicals used to produce the glowing effect, so the number of times a day this can be done is limited. These spots are also useful as a light source in the pitch darkness of their homeland.

Goblins are particularly nimble at hiding to escaping danger, thanks to instincts honed by generations of living in proximity to some of the most dangerous creatures on Dûnathel. Any creature tracking them by their bioluminescent spots may find themselves confused when their prey goes entirely dark and ducks silently into the surrounding stone.

Goblins have stellar darkvision, able to navigate with ease by only the light of their own bioluminescence.

Goblins also have excellent hearing, able to pick up on subtle sounds. This aids them in communicating at a quieter volume in situations where stealth is advisable, and also allows them to more easily notice monsters that may be stalking them.

Culture

In addition to standard verbal languages, goblins raised among their kind may also speak one or more types of goblin specific sign language, known colloquially as lumisign. These languages are spoken with hand signals, arm movements, and facial expressions much like normal sign language, but they additionally incorporate different patterns of bioluminescent flashing, making them impossible to be spoken by non-goblins. Though several official languages exist in this format, it's not uncommon for goblins raised without knowledge of them to develop their own signs and signals for use with the few goblins they know, or for speaking to peers of other species even if they can't reply in kind.

Goblins born into goblin cultures receive a lumisign name at the same time as their spoken name. Lumisign names typically consist of a specific pattern of facial flashes, indicative of their family and meant to emulate the freckle pattern of an ancestor, and a hand sign related to their spoken name. In many cases, the hand sign mirrors the meaning of the name within the goblin's language. Native lumisign speakers may also assign lumisign names to goblins that have none and friends or family of other species - in these cases, the facial flash is replaced by a pattern indicative of the individual's species, and the hand sign is usually selected based on a prominent trait that the goblin associates with the recipient.

Races

Brin (BRIN): originating from the Lobrandr Hills, Brin goblins are the tallest and strongest variety. Their skin tones are more of a yellowish green. They tend to be nocturnal even when living among other races, taking on night watch positions and running their own businesses to cater to fellow goblins and anyone else who happens to be out and about late.

Kev (KEV): originating from the Virie Basin Forest, Kev goblins are mostly a shades of green, the better to blend in with the strange pines. They often live in the uppermost reaches of the canopy, where they are camouflaged among the green needles, and where the branches are too thin to bear most predators.

Muan (MOO-ahn): originating from the lower Onureth Caverns, Muan goblins come in various shades of blue and indigo. They are the smallest type of goblin, which aids them in squeezing through narrow passages and surviving if food becomes scarce. Their eyes can be sensitive to the light, since the lower reaches of Onureth are almost entirely dark, so when out and about in daylight they often wear wide brimmed hats or tinted goggles.

Niv (NIV): originating from the upper Onureth Caverns, Niv goblins tend to come in shades of blueish green and blue. They are native to the fungal forests, and they keep odd hours when outside their homeland, as they are adapted to a place with no daylight cycle.

Siel (see-EL): originating from the Erimead plains, Siel are slender and on the tall side, with ears that are fairly short and stubby. Their skin tones are yellow with just a hint of green coloring. They lead more of a crepuscular life compared to the other goblin races, sleeping a bit during the day and night and being most active around dawn and dusk.