Hobgoblin

"The good become the best version of themselves. The great inspire others to be good." - Wyvern Command Proverb

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Hailing from the far-off land of Ilunabaren, the Kurentik or "Hobgoblins" are a Goblinoid species that were created to serve alongside their Goblinoid relatives and the Lurrashen. Hobgoblins were created by their god, Omarin, to command and organize the other Corvan during the War of Devouring. Every Hobgoblin is born with a supernatural ability to will themselves or their allies to push beyond their normal limits for a short period of time. A Hobgoblin with or without their allies is deadly, and can unexpectedly do the impossible.

Talented Individuals

The Kurentik were originally part of the Goblin race but were intentionally diverged by their god Omarin to serve less as scouts and more as officers. Hobgoblins grew in height and changed in pigmentation from greenish-gray to reddish-gray, both changes allowing their comrades to more easily to see them. Aside from their use on the battlefield, Hobgoblins use their abilities to advance their already highly-developed civilization. Many Hobgoblins specialize in some field and use their willpower to excel past the upper limits of their normal abilities to make breakthrough recoveries. Other Hobgoblins become a jack of all trades, mastering nothing, but being able to draw on their vast experience to make unorthodox observations.

The Commands

Early in Hobgoblin history, they were enslaved to Goblins, who utilized their overwhelming numbers to keep the Kurentik in check. The Goblin slave state, known as the Kemanad enslaves the Hobgoblin people for two centuries before they rose up. Organized into large clans known as "Commands." Commands were originally small armies, but have evolved into important political and social organizations in modern Hobgoblin society. A Hobgoblin is born into the Command of their father. They may leave and form their own command, but cannot legally be reaccepted by the Command of their birth if they choose to do this. While there are many Commands that have been founded since the day of the Hobgoblin rebellion, none hold nearly as much influence as the Three Commands:

• Herens (Wyvern): Those in the Wyvern command specialize in great generalship, rhetoric, and leadership even more than the average Hobgoblin. These are the descendants of the slaves who lived in urban areas and inspired the urban slaves to fight with them. Wyvern Command also specialize in breeding wyverns to ride into battle. The sight of the winged beasts frightens enemies and inspires their allies and were used to devastating effect for scouting, observation, and information delivery during the Gray War.
• Estoa (Octopus): Those in the Octopus Command specialize in naval warfare and logistics. These are the descendants of the slaves who lived in coastal areas and along the rivers. The Octopus command seized the Goblin ships during the rebellion and turned them against their masters, also blocking their escape by sea. The Octopus Command were the ones who prepared the supply lines and naval routes of the invading Corvans during the Gray War.
• Inogord (Boar): Those in the Boar Command specialize in shock tactics. These are the descendants of the slaves who worked the northern mines. Those in the Boar Command used heavy mining equipment as weapons and made heavy armor out of scrap metal during their rebellion, allowing them to weather blows and then strike hard against their former masters. The modern Boar Command trains its warriors to never break under fire and to not retreat until every other allied combatant has left the field. The Boar Command's last stand at the Battle of Sundered Pikes allowed the remainder of the Evervictorious Army to fall back to Attar.

In the Hobgoblin Republic, decisions are made by a High Marshall. The position is elected and is for life, unless half of the Commands with more than 100 members vote him out. While any Command can have an individual become High Marshall, it is usually one of the Great Three. Smaller Commands will gather to support one or more for High Marshall after the death of the previous one, usually in exchange for some compensation.

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 is led by the Orcs of Hatorand, who form the economic and cultural center of the empire. 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. This focus on legalism was based on the Hobgoblin government, which is strictly interpreted to the letter and applied equally to all individuals.

Contempt For the Weak

"The world belongs to those strong enough to seize it, and rightly so. Those who do cannot hold on to what they claim to hold will always to hubris, spelling their doom." - Engraving on a statue of a Hobgoblin slaying his Goblin master in Inawan Square, former capitol city of Kemanad.

At the center of Hobgoblin society is how strong the individual. Not just physical strength, but also mental resolve and the ability to lead others. Any who do not excel in these characteristics are expected to serve, or are outcasts in their society if their weakness is too much. At the birth of every Hobgoblin child, elders from their Command will inspect the child for physical defects and sacrifice them to Omarin if they do not pass.

Creating a Hobgoblin Character

• Command: What Command are you a part of? What made you leave them?
• Profession: Hobgoblins are extremely diverse in their profession. Were you a specialist in your profession, or did you dabble in many different fields?
• The Empire: What was your position in the Raven Empire? Hobgoblins serve the Raven Empire especially in leadership positions, although those in the Boar Command are almost exclusively foot soldiers.
• 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.

Hobgoblin 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.
• Estoan: Refers to cultures associated with the Octopus Command. They live in the southern half of Kuretex and Kuretex's islands. Estoans are known to be even-tempered and place an emphasis on hierarchy and authority.
• Herensish: Refers to cultures associated with the Wyvern Command. They live in the agricultural and urban heartland of Kurentik. it is their surplus of food that allows them to have a large population and to have the largest fleet of wyverns in Ilunabaren. Herensish people are known to be braggarts and place an emphasis on individual achievements and gamesmanship.
• Inogord: Refers to cultures associated with the Boar Command in the north of Ilunabaren. They have a highly industrious culture, owing to the plentiful and high-quality ores that they mine. Inogord are known to be stoic and place an emphasis on the wellbeing of their community.

 

Hobgoblin Names

Male Names: Ateri, Kasi, Menakui, Pegasi, Sahpo, Telesforo
Female Names: Alizia, Chinita, Esaranma, Gaietana, Monashir, Oloritz
Last Names: Biat, Imekenu, Kinalabuk, Narazu, Torregaray, Urza
Creating Your Own Name: Hobgoblin names are based on Basque and Ainu names.