Goblins

"Vak grish thriv."
"I don't know what that means."
"Right, yes, my apologies. You do not speak our Grishvak. It means 'clever tongue, quick thoughts', a greeting between my kin."
"Do many people get the opportunity to learn your language?"
"We have attempted to offer language exchange programs to universities before, but for some reason they seem to not like that idea."

— Dremile & Ald, engineers

 

Clever Tongue

  Though their reputation as thieves precedes them, goblins are a rather industrious folk, dedicated to repurposing and recycling materials wherever possible, finding new or alternative uses to nearly anything. What others discard, goblins transform into tools and art. For them, nothing is useless; every broken object or forgotten relic holds the potential for rebirth.   Goblins are small, wiry creatures with nimble fingers and sharp, observant eyes, perfectly suited to their role as recyclers. Their skin ranges in shades of green and brown, often marked with scars or burns from their work. Their teeth are sharp and sturdy, often used as tools when nothing else suffices, and their noses are keen, able to detect the faint tang of rust or decay. Over generations, their hands and feet have developed tough calluses, allowing them to handle sharp materials with ease. Many goblins bear tattoos of painted symbols across their skin, denoting their family's craft specializtion; whether it be smithing, weaving, or alchemical repurposing.   They view the act of recycling as a sacred duty, believing that waste is an effront to the natural order. Many of them believe that the world itself was crafted from discarded fragments of an earlier world, and is it their divine mission to honour that legacy.   Every goblin community boasts an expansive "repurpose yard", a chaotic yet meticulously catalogued collection of discarded items - broken tools, shattered pottery, scraps of fabric, bent nails, and more. To the untrained eye, these yards appear to be junk piles, but to a goblin they are treasure troves with untapped potential.   The goblins' belief that nothing is every truly useless is both a practical guide and a spiritual mantra. Their artisans can transform the most unassuming detritus into tools, weapons, and works of art. A cracked pot becomes a lantern; a torn banner becomes a patchwork cloak. Goblin engineers are especially renowned for their "scrapwork" inventions, bizzare contraptions that seem haphazard but function with surprising efficiency. These creations are often powered by a mix of alchemical fuels, clockwork mechanisms, and an uncanny amount of ingenuity that borders on magical.   Some goblins even claim to wield swords made from a dozen different blades, holding the history of battles long past and continuing their legacy forward in a new form.  

Quick Thoughts

  Goblin communities are organized around the concept of merit through innovation. Leaders, often called "craftmasters," earn their status by demonstrating their ability to create ingenious solutions from limited resources. Teach year, goblin clans host grand "Reclamation Festivals" where inventors showcase their most impressive creations made entirely from scavenged materials. The festivals are both celebratory and competitive, with the winner gaining immense prestige and the right to lead their clan until the next festival.   Their towns are a patchwork of salvaged and repurposed materials. Their homes are built from scrap wood, stone, and metal, with roofs covered in colourful, mismatched shingles. Walkways are cobled together from broken wagon wheels and planks, while lanterns made from old glass jars light the streets with a warm, flickering glow. Despite their eclectic appearance, these towns are study and well-maintained, a testament to the goblins' resourcefulness.   The goblins' relationship with the environment is symbiotic. While they scavenge relentlessly, they do so with great care, ensuring that their activities never harm the natural world. Goblins are adept at finding value in what others discard, foten cleaning up polluted areas or abandoned ruins as they gather materials. In some eyes, their scavenging is seen as a boon, helping blighted areas become thriving ecosystems once more.   They are particularly fond of working with plants and fungi. They cultivate vast gardens of fast-growing flora that they use for textiles, food, and even construction. Some species of bioluminescent fungi are a staple of their lighting, while hardy vines often serve as natural ropes. Some goblins even practice a form of living architecture, shaping trees and plants into structures over many years.  

Nimble Hands

  Goblins themselves are way of wasteful societies, which they see as reckless and short-sighted. They are quick to criticize those who discard without thought, often taking it upon themselves to "rescue" abandoned items. While this behaviour can lead to accusations of thievery, goblins see it as fulfilling their sacred duty.   For them, the act of recycling is more than a way to survive - it is an art, a science, and a form of worship. They believe that every object has a spirit, and to discard it carelessly is to dishonour that spirit. By finding new purposes for old things, goblins believe they are giving these spirits a second life, contributing to the balance and harmony of the world.   In the eyes of a goblin, nothing is every truly broken. It simply awaits the hands of someone clever enough to fix it.