Elvendor : Goblins

Goblins are smaller than humans and notably shorter than orcs, but they are robust, dense, and physically hardened from labor in mines and forges. Unlike many traditional depictions, Elvendor goblins are not slimy or frail — they are compact, sinewy, and built for endurance.

They are poorly organized, even more so than the orcs. Their society is functional but unstable, held together more by fear and necessity than loyalty or structure.

Social Structure

Goblins do not maintain ranks, banners, or formal military systems. Their hierarchy is crude and personality-driven.

The Chieftain

Grashnik “Ironjaw”
A brutal, scarred goblin who rose through strength and cunning rather than lineage. He rules through intimidation and strategic favoritism. Unlike orc leaders who may value strength and war-honor, Grashnik values control of resources — mines, weapon caches, and food.

He understands that whoever controls the tunnels controls the tribe.

The Four Close Hands (Inner Circle)

These are not generals, but enforcers and specialists who maintain order.

 

  • Ruk the Deep-Eye – Overseer of the mines
    Knows every tunnel and hidden shaft. Controls labor distribution and mineral extraction.
  • Skarn Flinttooth – Weapon crafter
    Responsible for crude blades, jagged arrowheads, traps, and improvised war tools. Goblin gear is minimal, but Skarn ensures it is vicious.
  • Mograt the Lash – Discipline keeper
    Enforcer within the tribe. Keeps lesser goblins in line through fear and public punishment.
  • Zibra Quickfingers – Scoutmaster
    Organizes raiding parties and archers. Expert in ambush positioning and tunnel warfare.

 

None of them are truly loyal — they remain close to Grashnik because proximity to power means survival.

Professions

Goblins are practical survivalists.

Primary Occupation: Mining

 

  • Iron veins
  • Copper
  • Coal
  • Occasional rare ores
    They are natural tunnelers and prefer underground settlements.

 

Secondary Roles:

 

  • Crude weapon crafting
  • Trap-making
  • Tunnel expansion
  • Basic smelting
  • Scavenging from battlefields

 

Unlike orcs, who piece together armor and gear from scavenged plates and structured assembly, goblins use very little gear — leather scraps, bone pieces, wrapped cloth, minimal metal plates if available.

Warfare Style

Goblins do not wage honorable war.

Combat Roles:

 

  • Light infantry
  • Archers
  • Ambush skirmishers

 

Tactics:

 

  • Ambush from tunnels
  • Night raids
  • Trap-heavy battlefields
  • Harassment before retreat
  • Targeting supply lines

 

They avoid open-field combat against organized armies. Against orcs, they rely on positioning rather than strength.

Relations with Orcs

Goblins and orcs share proximity but not unity.

Dynamics:

 

  • Orcs see goblins as useful but inferior.
  • Goblins see orcs as strong but slow and predictable.
  • Goblins supply mined materials and crude tools.
  • Orcs trade protection or occasionally enforce dominance.

 

In wartime:

 

  • Goblins serve as archers and forward skirmishers.
  • Orcs serve as frontline shock troops.

 

There is no true alliance — only mutual usefulness and tension.

If orcs grow weak, goblins exploit.
If goblins grow bold, orcs crush them.

Cultural Traits

 

  • Suspicious and opportunistic
  • Res
  • ource-driven
  • Short tempers
  • Pragmatic over honorable
  • Little interest in magic

 

They respect strength, but they respect control of tunnels and resources even more.

If you'd like, next we can:

 

  • Develop goblin settlements (underground cities, tunnel fortresses)
  • Create internal rival factions
  • Design a goblin banner or symbol
  • Flesh out goblin religion (if any)
  • Or define how humans perceive them in Elvendor