I like some of the ideas in the original Goblin posting on Zanzibar's, but felt the need to create my own. I've kept some of the original posts ideas (marked with a *) to better merge it with existing material. If this seems disrespectful, I apologise, it's not meant to be. I rewrote nearly the entire kith with my own material, fitting it better to real myth. Only the note about the Goblin-Troll War, and the Curse of the White Light Frailty are being used from the first version. cheers - Psygoblin
The twisted kith of goblinkind originated in France in the Time of Legends, swiftly expanding to foreign locations, bringing their brand of wicked mischief to other realms. Generally reviled by mortals and other kithain alike, they are bizarre and eclectic, reveling in nasty tricks; scaring animals, tripping people etc. and generally causing a ruckus and mess they find hilarious. Laughing at the misfortune and discomfort of others is a goblin trademark.
Possessed of depraved cunning and a penchant for petty thievery, the Goblins became known as 'Robin Goblins' in Druidic England. A name that was later abbreviated to 'Hobgoblin'.
Cousins of the Bendith y Mamau and Redcaps, the Goblins are cruel, but their cruelty is nowhere near as brutal or unthinking as their Redcap kin.
Typically of Unseelie aspect Goblins still play the role of the Bogle with almost single-minded dedication and joy, succeeding beyond all limits, much to the discomfort of others. Even the rare Seelie Goblins are hard-pressed to avoid pranking and trickery. Goblin gangs cause no end of trouble, and a spate of increased mishaps in an area may well signify their presence.
* While disdained by most other kithain, relations are extremely edgy with Trolls and Dwarves, for despite the fact that their memories of the War (see the Dwarf kith) are almost non-existent and deeply buried, bad feeling is still inexplicably bound to their blood.
Goblins are kith of a most unappealing mien, short, twisted and ugly, sometimes hunch-backed, possessed of spindly limbs, hands and feet, large pointed ears, piggy eyes, twisted grins, and large crooked noses. Yet others have snubby, almost non-existent noses, and manic googly eyes. They have numerous warts, and any hair they possess is usually lank and greasy. They favour grubby, dull-coloured, bizarre clothing that accents their strange frames, such as raggedy coats, tight pin-stripe trousers, shirts with vast collars etc. A major Goblin penchant for footwear is the 'winkle-picker'; boots or shoes that feature very long pointed fronts, often doubling (or more!) the total length of the shoe. Good sources of traditional Goblin imagery are the movie 'Labyrinth', and the book 'The Goblin Companion -- A Field Guide to Goblins' by Brian Froud and Terry Jones. 'GURPS Goblins' captures their sense of style brilliantly.
Childling Goblins are wicked children of real 'slugs and snails and puppy-dogs tails' mentality. Always in trouble, always trying to gross-out everyone around them, they can make life a living hell, filling sandwiches with worms or excrement, putting glue on chairs etc. etc. etc.
Wilder Goblins are little better, often compounding their mischief by joining Goblin gangs. At this stage they typically dabble in petty theft and slightly more imaginative pranks, sometimes planning them for maximum effect. The mind boggles (and the stomach churns) at the sheer grossness of a wilder Goblin's pranks. Among Goblin gangs it's a matter of pride and fashion as to who can wear the longest winkle-pickers without tripping over constantly.
Grump Goblins act as mentors to their younger kin, teaching them the Great Arts (pranking and theft), often becoming the bosses of the roving gangs. Pity the poor soul who falls prey to a Grumps convoluted pranks.
Goblins are vagabonds and thieves, favouring a nocturnal existence because of their curse (see 'Curse of the White Light' under Frailties below). Engaging in minor crime (burglary, car-theft, pickpocketing) their gangs are often surprisingly organised. They are extremely streetwise.
Prop
Bug-Buzzin': Goblins have an amiable relationship with flies, wasps, mosquitoes and hornets, able to communicate with them with ease. Goblins get a real kick out of directing these pests at a hapless target. It's worth noting thqt they can't summon these bugs, but can talk to and direct any they meet.
Jinx: Goblins are harbingers of ill-fortune. By spending 1 Glamour point and rolling Manipulation + Kenning (Diff. 6) they can cause a target to suffer a mishap. The effects are up to the Storyteller and depends on the number of successes. The effects are never life-threatening, but can cause extreme embaressment and discomfort.
Nightmares: Goblins are infamous for their ability to weave nightmares and insert them in the ears of sleeping victims. It costs 1 Glamour to do so and the victim will then suffer a nightmare of the Goblins choosing. it disrupts any chance of a good nights sleep, and the victim always remembers the dream come morning. Of course, it doesn't meant the dreamer will pay the dream any heed or act upon it.
Yucky!: Goblins are disliked, viewed with disgust by many other kithain. This combined with their lack of manners and uncouth, grotesque behaviour means they suffer a +2 difficulty penalty in any social situation, rising to +3 difficulty with dwarves and trolls.
*Curse of the White Light: As punishment after the Goblin-Troll War, the nobility applied a curse to the Goblin race as a whole, forcing them out of the direct light. Now, Goblins have an almost unnatural fear of strong light, be it from the sun or heavy ultraviolet lighting. When in sunlight their skin and eyes ache painfully, increasing the difficulty of all rolls by +2. This is why they are rarely found during the day, only becoming 'active' at night.
'Half a pound of slippery slime! Half a pound of wee-vils! Mix them up and set a good prank! Pop goes their egos!'
Adh-Sidhe: I dint do nuffin!
Make sure you don't. Or else...
Bean-Sidhe: I heard a nice song today. Ain't singin' great!
Stop teasing me Bogle, before I sing a song you'll regret.
Bendith y Mamau: Party! Party! Party!
An adoring audience.
Boggan: Boring. SMASH! Dull. CRASH! Flowery. BLEARGH!
(some time later...) My beautiful plates!! What's happened to them?!
Eshu: Haven't you got some more 'juicy' stories than that bunch of old, flowery twaddle?
Now that you come to mention it...
Fatae: Dear oh dear. I wonder how that slimy turd got in your shoe?
(sound of vomiting)
Leprechaun: Thanks for the present!
Come back here! I'll skin ya', ya' thievin' rapscallion!
Nockers: What happens if I pull this...?
NOOOOOOO!
Pixie: I wouldn't prank you... too much.... After all, you did welcome us into your homeland.
Hmm...sometimes I question our judgement in that (grins)
Pooka: No, no, no. What's fun about slippery slime? What you need is some vomit, a good cowpat, a tube of superglue, some elastic bands...
Wow! That's really sick! Let's do it!
Redcap: Quick! Hide the evidence!
(Gulp) Done.
Satyr: Didn't that aphrodisiac work then? (feigning surprise)
No. It's been limp and sore for days.
Selkie: Of course I'd warn you if there was a sewage outlet nearby.
How do you explain this, this..., stuff then!!
Sidhe: Shhh...watch her 'high and mightiness' try to stand...
Help! I can't stand-up! I seem to be stuck to my throne! Help!
Sluagh: I bet no teeth make for good 'head'
Yessss...
Troll: I protest! I'm innocent I tell ya!
No goblin is innocent...
