The Goblyns are a race of humanoid creatures dwelling across most of the Idryllian continent. While intelligent, and organized into various societies, they are most often a menace to the other races, though as dominant city states have risen, Goblyns have largely been pushed into more remote regions for their own settlements.
Origins[]
The Goblyns don't seem to be either a Primordial or Draconic race, and while occasionally conscripted, have no apparent affiliation with the Dark Source either. Their general hostility and relatively primitive society offers little insight as well. Suspected origins are predominantly either an emerged Underworld race, or possibly an advanced offshoot of the Howlers.
Goblyn Subgroups[]
Forest Goblyns[]
The most commonly known form of Goblyn, they present a fairly minor threat. Standing only about four and a half feet on average, and lanky, they are not overly imposing physical specimens. Their population has mainly been driven into the extreme northern regions of Laycin Forest, but sporadic pockets inhabit caves, abandoned mines, and other locales across the Southrealm and the warmer western regions of the Northrealm.
Parsilem[]
Goblyns in the Aergosian region came into contact with the Primordial Ilphendar, and finding themselves in a losing battle with the Scaled Folk, eventually surrendered and enthralled themselves to themselves to Ilphendar. The Primordial altered them into their present lizard-like forms, and they became a lower slave-caste to the Siladem and Jaserem. Some would eventually escape once more, becoming the dominant Goblyns of the western Southrealm.
Snow Goblyns[]
An apparent Northern offshoot of the Goblyn species, the Snow Goblyns primarily dwell in the eastern Snow Plains and Forsaken Forest of Northrealm. They are more robust then their forest cousins, and boast a much more noticeable fur in shaggy patches. Perhaps enforced by survival, they are prone to some level of diplomacy with the more tribal Tel-Kabal also dwelling in the forest.
Helgoblyns[]
The most feared of Goblyns, Helgoblyns inhabit the northern Frostfangs, and venture often into the Northern Forest. Unlike other goblyns, they often rival humans in height, and are broad shouldered lanky creatures, able to climb extremely well. Helgoblyns occasionally work alongside Coldars, though they kill Sryllans on sight, considering them weaklings.
Hobgoblyn and Demigoblyn[]
On rare occasions, Goblyns have crossbred with humans, creating the larger (and often smarter) bloodlines of Hobgoblyns. Although sometimes pushed into exile as half-breeds, most Hobgoblyns manage to use their cunning and superior size to establish themselves as valuable assets and ranking members of their tribes. Demigoblyns are slightly rarer, but are the result of crossbreeding with Primordial Races. Their appearance varies as much as the Primordial Races themselves, but they are typically more powerful, larger and vicious, and many also have a natural cunning.