By Colin Chapman (col.chapman@virgin.net) (12 July 1996)
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.
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.
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.
*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.
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...