Goblin

"To start inventing, you need a good idea and a pile of junk!"
- Common Kemunoi Proverb

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Hailing from the far-off lands of Ilunabaren, the Kemunoi or "Goblins" are a species created alongside the Lurrashen in order to serve as soldiers in the War of Devouring. The Kemunoi often find themselves as artisans in the Raven Empire. During times of war, the Kemunoi often find themselves as archers, engineers, and scouts. The Kemunoi are small in stature but make up for it with their quick cunning and eager brutality.  

Naturally Keen

Goblins were designed not to hit hard in battle, but to hit in the right spot for the greatest effect. This precision is present not only on the battlefield but in the daily life of all Kemunoi. Kemunoi possess exceptional vision, especially in low-light areas, which they can use to notice details no other would see. This exceptional vision also helps the Kemunoi gain almost supernatural situational awareness and agility helpful on and off the battlefield. The Kemunoi also tend to have excellent hand-eye coordination, which helps them, especially in ranged combat or more dexterous activities. This coordination makes the Kemunoi some of the greatest archers and crossbowmen in the Raven Empire.

A Disparate People

After their creation in the Age of the Shadow, the Goblins originally owned all of northern Ilunabaren. The northern state, known as Kemanad, held a strict racial hierarchy with noble Goblins at the top, commoner Goblins making up the working class, and Hobgoblins at the very bottom as slaves. These slaves revolted, driving the noble Kemunoi into the mountains but allowing the commoner Goblins to stay in their homeland as long as they swore loyalty. Many did not, and joined the noble Kemunoi in the mountains. The Hobgoblins created the Republic of Kuretex, and the fleeing Goblins founded the confederation of Itzorral.

Itzorral was a harsh land for the fleeing Goblins, with very little arable land to tend to and deadly wildlife. Over the millennia, they adapted to the land, taming the native giant wasps and inventing terrace agriculture. In the 5th century a machinist, Makinar, created an icemaker machine that would allow the Goblins to settle the, up to then, inhospitable swamps south of Hatorand. Makinar led his people and founded cities after also devising new methods to reclaim the swampland. For his work, Makinar would be elevated to the status of godhood and the land he settled would be named after him.  

A People United

The Raven Empire was formed in 3187 2E, during the Age of Enthronement, and remains the only state that has survived in its original form to the current day. The Raven Empire rules over all Corvans from Hatorand. The Raven Empire is a force for stability in Ilunabaren, providing its inhabitants with a legalistic, centralized government that applies the law not only to commoners but to the nobility as well.

An Insatiable Bloodlust

"... and the small ones could be far worse than the big ones. I fired a crossbow bolt at one of them on the field and he turned to me, bared his fangs, and fought with a near-suicidal fury. I wouldn't have made it if not for my comrade with the halberd."
- Account of a Chevelian Crossbowman during the Gray War, recorded 6107 2E.

While Kemunoi were granted with the gift of greater wit, they also were inflicted with a flaw, much like their Lurrashen brethren. While in battle, the Kemunoi often fight with wild, bordering suicidal, fury. What the Kemunoi lack in strength, they make up for in sheer brutality. While the Kemunoi can be placid and agreeable during times of peace, while in battle they can be far more dangerous than their stronger Lurrashen brethren, especially in groups. Many Kemunoi fly into an insatiable rage for blood and death while fighting and become gleeful upon inflicting savage cruelty upon their foes.

Creating a Kemunoi Character

• Profession: Many Kemunoi take up professions as artisans, performers, spies, scouts, or hunters. Did you follow in this path? Or did you aspire to something much different?
• The Empire: What was your position in the Raven Empire? Are you still a willing member, or are you an exile? What brought you to the far lands of Isan?
• Freedom: How have you reacted to the freedom the adventuring life affords? The culture shock between being your own person versus being a cog in the machine of the Raven Empire would be pretty large for the average person.

Kemunoi Cultures

• Attaran: Attarans or, more commonly, "Orcsairs" are Corvans who live on the island of Attar in Isan. They are the remnants of the failed invasion force during the Gray War. Orcsairs get their name from their piratical activity against the Chevelians and the Shantil. Orcsairs tend to value freedom far more than their brethren still under the rule of the Raven Empire.
• Itzorralish: Itzorral is a relatively primitive Goblin society centered around giant wasp husbandry and features an honor-bound warrior culture much like the Lurrashen to the south. Unlike their Orcish relatives, Itzorralans encourage trickery and deceit in warfare and consider cheating a perfectly acceptable way to win a duel. Itzorralans also train hard to pull off dizzying aerial maneuvers while riding their giant wasps, which allows them to attack their enemies from unexpected directions.
• Kemanadish: Kemanadish Goblins in modern Kuretex and are the descendants of those who did not leave following the Hobgoblin rebellion. Kemanadish Goblins are mostly in Urban environments. Here, they make up some of the best artisans and inventors. Kemanadish Goblins often channel their natural bloodlust into a ruthless business sense, often propelling some Goblins into the wealthiest positions in their society.
• Makinaran: Makinar is a technologically advanced society in the once-inhabitable swamps of southern Ilunabaren. They're highly reliant on machines to keep their homes comfortable. Makinar, much like the Dwarves, has also designed primitive steam engines that allow them to move from city to city without traversing the dangerous swamps on foot.

Kemunoi Names

Male Names: Chikap, Imekanu, Kinalabukk, Matxin, Salbatore, Xalbador
Female Names: Abenanka, Kakalu, Mataxlen, Sorne, Tanelankemats, Udazken
Last Names: Anchikar, Bolibar, Kamui, Mendoza, Petkotan, Zabala
Making Your Own Name: Kemunoi names are based on Basque and Japanese Names.