Swamp Goblin

Swamp Goblins

This small gangly humanoid has dark green skin, broad pointed ears, and wide-eyed sly facial features. Though stooped in posture they move with great grace and speed.

Swamp goblins are the most common of the goblin kin. Crafty country folk, they are not nearly as sophisticated as a tome or hobgoblins but they are downright cultured compared to hill goblins. Even though their name implies it, they do not spend their entire life in rural areas. Many young swamp goblins are smart and ambitious enough to go out in the world to increase their fortunes and make a name for themselves in larger goblin cities.

Personality: Swamp goblins are gregarious clan oriented creatures with a marked talent for hunting and stealth. Despite the vastness of the wilderness environments many of them hail from, they live close to one another and therefore have very little concept of privacy and personal space. Rural swamp goblins can be a little suspicious of outsiders but once they have a chance to assess a visitor they generally warm up to them if they prove trustworthy. They are chatty gossips by nature but they do not talk just to hear them selves speak, they also pay very close attention to who is speaking and what is being said. They are able to gain keen insight about people in this way judging whether they are trustworthy or just how gullible they are. Because of this, the art of the tall tail is highly respected and honed in swamp goblin culture. The goblin who can tell the most outlandish yet convincing tails gains great respect in the clan or community.

Also prized are the abilities to hunt and cook. Their talent for hunting has been a longtime source of pride for the swamp goblins and by natural extension so is the ability to prepare a succulent meal from the creatures they have slain. Swamp goblins can make a sweet and spicy dish from just about any kind of creature in any kind of conditions and so they are some of the most widely sought after cooks in the world.

Physical Description: Swamp goblins are small creatures that range in height from about 3 feet to four feet tall weighing between 35 and 50 pounds. They have lean sinewy bodies with slightly stooped postures and limbs that seem just a little bit too long. They have dark green to greenish brown skin tones and wiry dark red or brown hair which turns iron gray or white as they age. Their ears are somewhat animated perking up when they are on the alert and flopping down slightly while they are relaxed. They have large keen eyes in the standard goblin shades of yellow set deep in their homely but clever faces. Swamp goblins wear clothes designed for comfort. Loose trousers, short tunics, simple dresses, and woven straw hats seem to make up the bulk of their wardrobe among the country folk while clothing more suited to ones profession are worn by swamp goblins living in urban areas.

Relations: Swamp goblins can get along well with just about anyone but they are known to hold grudges that last for generations. They are excellent judges of character though this does not mean they are inherently looking for the good in everyone. A swamp goblin decides who his friends are based on the prospective friend’s talents and the swamp goblin’s needs. For example if a swamp goblin needs to be good friends with a person who can sneak into a local merchants house and swipe enough coins to pay his taxes with he is likely to make friends with a rogue but that same swamp goblin is not likely to tell that friend where he hides his own coins or even where he lives if he can help it. Like most goblins, swamp goblins dislike elves but not to the ridiculous extremes of some of their other kin, viewing most elves as nothing more than uppity trouble makers.

Alignment: Swamp goblins like most goblins are generally lawful though this is mostly expressed in their adherence to the traditions and ways of their ancestors than any real regard for written laws.

Swamp Goblin Lands: Swamp goblins dwell in nearly every kind of humid and wet lowlands making their homes and villages on the small islands that rise out of verdant swamplands. They make simple but expansive dwellings that are open and breezy to allow the night air to cool them as they sleep. Sometimes their houses are built on pylons over the swamp itself and they get from place to place via small boats and rickety bridges.

Religion: Swamp goblins venerate the goblin gods and occasionally utter short prayers to their ancestors to intercede to the gods for them when trying to accomplish a specific task. Many swamp goblins also venerate the gods of nature and wild beasts though they tend to keep this worship secret from the more organized goblin churches as they frown upon the worship of non-goblin gods.

Language: Swamp goblins speak goblin and common though many make the effort to learn other languages.

Names: Swamp goblin names are simple and functional but most swamp goblins go by nicknames they have earned during the course of their youths. Clan names are descriptive of something or someone of note in the clan’s history.

Swamp Goblin Racial Traits

-2 Strength, +2 Dexterity: Swamp goblins are nimble but being small creatures they are not as strong as larger folk.

Small: As a Small creature, a swamp goblin gains a +1 size bonus to Armor Class, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, and a +4 size bonus on Hide checks, but he uses smaller weapons than humans use, and his lifting and carrying limits are three-quarters of those of a Medium character.

Speed: A swamp goblin’s base land speed is 30 feet.

Goblin Subtype: Darkvision 60 feet, +2 racial bonus on all Hide and Move Silently checks, +1 racial bonus on all saves verses disease and poison

Skill: A swamp goblin receives a +2 racial bonus to all Listen, Profession (cook), and Sense Motive checks as well as a +1 racial bonus to all Bluff and Spot checks.

Automatic Languages: Goblin and Common. Bonus languages: Any Regional, Giant, Draconic, Sylvan

Favored Class: Ranger A multiclass swamp goblin’s ranger class does not count when determining whether he takes an experience point penalty (see the XP for Multiclass Characters section on page 60 of the Player's Handbook). Swamp goblins make excellent hunters and archers.

Level Adjustment: +0.


				HOSTILITY NOW *Swamp Goblin*



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		Here is one of several variant goblins I have created for the Varathia campaign setting. You'll notice they are all linked by the new "goblin subtype" that I have created but each has a very distinct flavor and place within goblin society as a whole.



		Swamp Goblins This small gangly humanoid has dark green skin, broad pointed ears, and wide-eyed sly facial features. Though stooped in posture they move with great grace and speed. Swamp goblins are the most common of the goblin kin. Crafty country folk, they are not nearly as sophisticated as a tome or hobgoblins but they are downright cultured compared to hill goblins. Even though their name implies it, they do not spend their entire life in rural areas. Many young swamp goblins are smart and ambitious enough to go out in the world to increase their fortunes and make a name for themselves in larger goblin cities. Personality: Swamp goblins are gregarious clan oriented creatures with a marked talent for hunting and stealth. Despite the vastness of the wilderness environments many of them hail from, they live close to one another and therefore have very little concept of privacy and personal space. Rural swamp goblins can be a little suspicious of outsiders but once they have a chance to assess a visitor they generally warm up to them if they prove trustworthy. They are chatty gossips by nature but they do not talk just to hear them selves speak, they also pay very close attention to who is speaking and what is being said. They are able to gain keen insight about people in this way judging whether they are trustworthy or just how gullible they are. Because of this, the art of the tall tail is highly respected and honed in swamp goblin culture. The goblin who can tell the most outlandish yet convincing tails gains great respect in the clan or community. Also prized are the abilities to hunt and cook. Their talent for hunting has been a longtime source of pride for the swamp goblins and by natural extension so is the ability to prepare a succulent meal from the creatures they have slain. Swamp goblins can make a sweet and spicy dish from just about any kind of creature in any kind of conditions and so they are some of the most widely sought after cooks in the world. Physical Description: Swamp goblins are small creatures that range in height from about 3 feet to four feet tall weighing between 35 and 50 pounds. They have lean sinewy bodies with slightly stooped postures and limbs that seem just a little bit too long. They have dark green to greenish brown skin tones and wiry dark red or brown hair which turns iron gray or white as they age. Their ears are somewhat animated perking up when they are on the alert and flopping down slightly while they are relaxed. They have large keen eyes in the standard goblin shades of yellow set deep in their homely but clever faces. Swamp goblins wear clothes designed for comfort. Loose trousers, short tunics, simple dresses, and woven straw hats seem to make up the bulk of their wardrobe among the country folk while clothing more suited to ones profession are worn by swamp goblins living in urban areas. Relations: Swamp goblins can get along well with just about anyone but they are known to hold grudges that last for generations. They are excellent judges of character though this does not mean they are inherently looking for the good in everyone. A swamp goblin decides who his friends are based on the prospective friend’s talents and the swamp goblin’s needs. For example if a swamp goblin needs to be good friends with a person who can sneak into a local merchants house and swipe enough coins to pay his taxes with he is likely to make friends with a rogue but that same swamp goblin is not likely to tell that friend where he hides his own coins or even where he lives if he can help it. Like most goblins, swamp goblins dislike elves but not to the ridiculous extremes of some of their other kin, viewing most elves as nothing more than uppity trouble makers. Alignment: Swamp goblins like most goblins are generally lawful though this is mostly expressed in their adherence to the traditions and ways of their ancestors than any real regard for written laws. Swamp Goblin Lands: Swamp goblins dwell in nearly every kind of humid and wet lowlands making their homes and villages on the small islands that rise out of verdant swamplands. They make simple but expansive dwellings that are open and breezy to allow the night air to cool them as they sleep. Sometimes their houses are built on pylons over the swamp itself and they get from place to place via small boats and rickety bridges. Religion: Swamp goblins venerate the goblin gods and occasionally utter short prayers to their ancestors to intercede to the gods for them when trying to accomplish a specific task. Many swamp goblins also venerate the gods of nature and wild beasts though they tend to keep this worship secret from the more organized goblin churches as they frown upon the worship of non-goblin gods. Language: Swamp goblins speak goblin and common though many make the effort to learn other languages. Names: Swamp goblin names are simple and functional but most swamp goblins go by nicknames they have earned during the course of their youths. Clan names are descriptive of something or someone of note in the clan’s history. Swamp Goblin Racial Traits -2 Strength, +2 Dexterity: Swamp goblins are nimble but being small creatures they are not as strong as larger folk. Small: As a Small creature, a swamp goblin gains a +1 size bonus to Armor Class, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, and a +4 size bonus on Hide checks, but he uses smaller weapons than humans use, and his lifting and carrying limits are three-quarters of those of a Medium character. Speed: A swamp goblin’s base land speed is 30 feet. Goblin Subtype: Darkvision 60 feet, +2 racial bonus on all Hide and Move Silently checks, +1 racial bonus on all saves verses disease and poison Skill: A swamp goblin receives a +2 racial bonus to all Listen, Profession (cook), and Sense Motive checks as well as a +1 racial bonus to all Bluff and Spot checks. Automatic Languages: Goblin and Common. Bonus languages: Any Regional, Giant, Draconic, Sylvan Favored Class: Ranger A multiclass swamp goblin’s ranger class does not count when determining whether he takes an experience point penalty (see the XP for Multiclass Characters section on page 60 of the Player's Handbook). Swamp goblins make excellent hunters and archers. Level Adjustment: +0.



		BREE-YARK! HATE keeps me young.