Goblins

Those under the mountains.

Goblins are the smaller cousins of Orcs. They live under the mountains and generally don't like to go out of their caves and tunnels unless it is to gather needed materials or to hunt. When they do go outside, they prefer to go out at night. This is due to their sensitive eyes.

They are most common in the end mountains, especially the Dendorian half, as the dwarves have largely succeeded in chasing them off.
However, they can also be found in the black mountains and those adjacent, although in much smaller quantities, because while goblins are descended from orcs, they don't exactly get along.

Appearance

They appear more hunched over than Orcs, and their skin is a pale white-grey color.
They have large watery eyes, which they use to be able to see in the dark of the caves. They also lack hair except for a small amount on the head. Because of their warrior nature, they are most often seen with horrible scars or other disfigurations.
They have very little sexual dimorphism because in goblin society, everyone is a warrior.

The sun is their greatest enemy. Not only do they have trouble seeing during the day, getting overwhelmed by the bright light, but they can even go blind after prolonged exposure. Their eyes are not the only part of their bodies that suffer under the sun. Their skins easily get sunburned, and they can develop blisters and nasty rashes, even after just an hour or two out during the day.

Living habits

Goblins live in small underground kingdoms with a strict societal structure.

This structure has the warrior class as the largest. These are all individuals who, after training and intensive selection, have proven themselves to be capable warriors. Those who do not pass this exam of sorts become farmers.

Those who manage to make the cut and become warriors will spend their lives attacking other goblin kingdoms, orcs, and everyone else they can reach, for food and resources, and for the ability to prove themselves in battle.

Youth

The early life of a goblin is one of training and combat conditioning. Each generation is raised together in one big group, where they will compete for space, and even for food, they are taught to work together, but also to be strong. They are trained rigorously from the moment they can hold a stick, and fortunately for them, they grow rapidly, and after ten years, they will be fully grown, and trained for war, and it is at this age that they get the exam, a series of physical tests, and combat demonstrations, although, at this point, many of them will be dead.

They don't reach sexual maturity until five years later, tho. While the women will be kept safe for those five years, the men will be immediately thrown onto the battlegrounds, where most of them will die within the first few years. However, if they make it past five years, their chances of dying become much smaller, because they will now be highly trained and experienced, fully matured goblin warriors.

Food

One of their biggest sources of food is the three different types of fungi that they cultivate.

Fungal Farms

The first is the waste fungus, which is used to dispose of their excrement, solving their sanitation problem. The fungi fully consume all of their droppings and that of their pets, and neutralize any bacteria that may live in it, and then the goblins process it for food. This fungus has a strong earthy scent, and it tastes like sweet potatoes. This is their fastest-growing fungus.

The second is the meat fungus, which grows primarily on dead flesh. They feed it with the bodies of called foes, as well as their own dead, and the leftovers of hunted game. The fungi fully consume all soft tissue, and is then eaten. This fungus forms large bulbous fruiting bodies, which taste the best, but the excess mycelium is also eaten when the bodies have been fully decomposed. It has the structure and flavour of chicken.
Non-Goblin cultures are desgusted by the idea of eating fallen comrades, even after they have been digested by a fungus, but to Goblins, this is purely pragmatic, and it allows their fallen brethren to serve the kingdom one last time.

The third is the bone fungus, and they feed it both the bones left over by the meat fungus, as well as the bones from hunted game. This fungus is much stronger and can break down even this final piece of dead creatures, and process it for the goblins to eat. This Fungus is much tougher and grows much slower. It has a strong nutty flavour and a tough texture. It is often stewed for a long time in order to soften it.

Hunters

These fungi aren't their only food source, as they also regularly hunt whatever game they can find in the caves, and they regularly organize expeditions to go to the surface. This may include animals, but also people, depending on where they live.

Government

The goblin king is in charge of organizing hunts, raids, and wars, as well as appointing breeders, and important matters such as that. Kings don't rule alone. When a goblin warrior reaches a certain age without dying, they are granted the title of veteran and join the veteran council, which helps the king make important decisions and arrange for new kings to be chosen when the current one dies.

Succession

When the king dies, the council arranges a grand tournament to decide on a successor. Any of the strongest warriors can apply to be included. The chosen participants will fight, either until death or if one concedes the match, and the winner becomes king.

Anyone who opposes a ruling king will be punished severely, as this is seen as a great crime, and such behavior is a danger to the kingdom's stability and ability to thrive.

Gender

Any of these aforementioned positions may be taken by a male or female. Goblins don't differentiate between males and females unless for the sake of reproduction. Females can be on the council of veterans, and females can become king. Although for outsiders it would be hard to figure out if such a king is male or female, due to their similar appearance.

Reproduction

From their warriors, only the strongest and most skilled are selected to become breeders. The females, when chosen, will stay in the heart of the kingdom, with guards, as they are essential for producing the next generation, and whenever one of them isn't pregnant, the strongest of the male warriors will be selected to impregnate her. The breeding male is changed frequently, in order to preserve genetic diversity and keep the kingdom strong.

Any females deemed unfit to reproduce will be sterilized, either using a special herbal concoction, or a magical treatment. This is meant to prevent them from falling pregnant when they should be fighting as well as relieve them of the burden of menstrual cycles.

In goblin society, being a breeder is the most prestigious position. They are protected, they are the best fed, and given the best parts of the caves to live in. Although it is not a permanent position, when a female outlives her fertile years, or if she produces too many weak or sickly offspring, they can lose this position, in which case they are sterilized like the rest and put in the army. breeders are expected to keep in shape and stay strong and healthy, in which case they can have anywhere from four to eight children per birth.

In goblin wars, these breeders are often kidnapped by opposing goblin kingdoms, as having fresh breeders, unrelated to any of your current population, is good for genetic diversity.