Hobgoblins¶
Also known as demogoblins, hobgoblins descend from ancient goblins who made a pact with an infernal power in exchange for increased size and strength. Each hobgoblin has fang-like tusks and one or more horns protruding from their head.
Many hobgoblin settlements constantly and aggressively test each other's boundaries. This isn't normally a problem for other humanoids, but once or twice every generation, a wicked hobgoblin rallies their people and decides it's time to take over everyone else's lands—THEN it's a problem.
Synergized Tactics¶
Hobgoblin magic and talents complement one another in a fight. Wise commanders put these strategies to good use and scout the battlefield before combat to gain every advantage. Thanks to their emphasis on tactics, hobgoblin armies can hold their own against other forces with ease.
Playing With Fire¶
The infernal heritage of hobgoblins allows them to live in extreme heat many other humanoids can't tolerate. They often settle in deserts, tropics, and other hot areas. Their heritage also allows them to bend fire to their will, and many choose professions that make use of fire, such as smithing or glassblowing.
Innate Magic¶
Infernal magic runs through the veins of every hobgoblin, though their gifts vary. Many can harness the power of fire or corruptive energy, while others can teleport across the battlefield or run like the fastest predators.
Binding Bargains¶
Many hobgoblins still hold to the infernal concept of being true to their word when entering into agreements. Even spoken contracts are considered unbreakable, and hobgoblin communities scorn any creature—hobgoblin or otherwise—who degrades themself by breaking their word.
Grilp¶
The grilp—a green-skinned devil about the size of a housecat—can change the color and texture of their skin to blend in with their surroundings. They often serve as scouts, spies, messengers, and errand-runners for high-ranking hobgoblins. Beyond the grilp's covert skills, however, hobgoblins value these creatures most highly for their magic-laced saliva, which weakens the defenses of other creatures.
Slaughter Demon¶
When evil hobgoblins who embrace their fiendish heritage need to wipe an enemy off the map, their war mages ritualistically beseech an archdevil for the service of a grack'tanar, known as a slaughter demon in the Caelian language. Once summoned, this towering, serpent-bodied, six-clawed demon slithers to war alongside the hobgoblins who summoned them.
Devils captured the grack'tanars eons ago. Broken, these demons wait for a call to war, hungry and frothing in the Seven Cities of Hell. Slaughter demons are eager to kill and please their devil captors so they might be sent out again, and they rarely turn on hobgoblins unless they fall into lethe (see the Demons section).
Hobgoblin Languages¶
Most hobgoblins speak Anjali, Caelian, and Szetch.
Grilp
- Flyby BiteMain actionSignature
- Bat Out Of HellTrait
- Shifting CamouflageTrait
Hobgoblin Bloodlord
- Soul SwordMain actionSignature
- Take Point!Maneuver
- An Army From BloodTriggered action3 Malice
- Infernal IchorTrait
- End EffectTrait
- Advance!Villain Action 1
- Skulls AboundVillain Action 2
- I Am Fire! I Am Death!Villain Action 3
Hobgoblin Brandbearer
- Searing GraspMain actionSignature
- Open FurnaceTrait
- Infernal IchorTrait
Hobgoblin Burning Witch
- Soul BurnMain actionSignature
- Burning LegionManeuver1 Malice
- Infernal IchorTrait
Hobgoblin Death Captain
- BlightbladeMain actionSignature
- On My Mark!Maneuver
- Battle ReadyTrait
- Infernal IchorTrait
Hobgoblin Firerunner
- Flaming KickMain actionSignature
- Blazing TrailManeuver
- Hot to GoTrait
- KindlestepTrait
- Infernal IchorTrait
Hobgoblin Grandguard
- Tower Shield SmashMain actionSignature
- Thunder RushMain action3 Malice
- Wide GuardTrait
- Infernal IchorTrait
Hobgoblin Hell Trooper
- Fire FlailMain actionSignature
- Fight Me, Coward!Maneuver
- Infernal IchorTrait
Hobgoblin Incendiarist
- Fire CrossbowMain actionSignature
- Fireball VolleyMain action3 Malice
- Raining CindersTrait
- Infernal IchorTrait
Hobgoblin Lancer
- Grim ThrustMain actionSignature
- Infernal IchorTrait
Hobgoblin Recruit
- Sword LungeMain actionSignature
- Tactical PositioningTrait
- Infernal IchorTrait
Hobgoblin Redglare
- Eye FlashMain actionSignature
- Glare of the Old JudgmentsMain action5 Malice
- Infernal IchorTrait
Hobgoblin Smokebinder
- Choking BoltMain actionSignature
- Smoke BombManeuver3 Malice
- Essence of SmokeTrait
- Infernal IchorTrait
Hobgoblin War Mage
- HellfireMain actionSignature
- Enchantments of WarMain action
- Unhallowed GroundManeuver3 Malice
- Magic SiphonTriggered action
- Infernal IchorTrait
- Despair, You Who Face DeathTrait