Goblins of Golarion

the nest bursts open on the target creature, allowing the with goblins being enslaved. Larger creatures such as
goblin to make a dirty trick combat maneuver to sicken giants and ogres are viewed with fear, but also grudging
his target. Note that while the wasps released by this tactic respect for the mayhem they cause. Goblins can prove
are angry, they’re not nearly aggressive or numerous useful to powerful creatures, as they are good at sneaking
enough to constitute an actual wasp swarm. In order and hiding. When a particularly powerful creature wants
to recover from the effect, the victim must take a move to recruit a goblin tribe, the tribe often agrees simply out
action to physically move out of the square he started of delight and pride at being selected by such a dangerous
in—the wasps don’t follow, and dissipate naturally after monster. Barghests are an exception to the general rule
1d4 rounds. A goblin who rolls a natural 1, 2, or 3 when that other races are hated or feared, for what goblin
attacking with a wasp nest drops it at his feet or accidentally doesn’t dream of growing up to be a barghest? These
crushes it in his hand, resulting in an automatic miss and creatures are often followed as living gods whom goblins
targeting the goblin himself with the nest’s full effects swarm to serve, particularly if the barghest is a greater
as if he successfully made the combat maneuver against kin of its kind. Goblins celebrate the barghests’ feeding
himself. If the goblin uses a tossglove to make this attack, in their own death rituals and number their hero-gods
he only automatically fails on a natural 1. among such monstrosities.
It might seem that, as fellow goblinoids, bugbears and
Fire! hobgoblins should get along famously with goblins. This
“Fire is pretty. Sure is neat. Hook that orphan! Burn his feet!” is not usually the case. Between the two, bugbears are
Goblins adore fire and consider the ability to control generally the more welcome of the two in a goblin tribe,
it a mark of great prowess. Sometimes weaker goblins but only in small numbers and in roles like bodyguard
rise through tribal ranks more quickly than others or food guardian. Particularly powerful goblin chieftains
simply because of their ability to manipulate fire. Goblin are notable for the number of bugbears they can keep
spellcasters who can use fire spells are generally among satisfied and in their employ.
the most adored members of a tribe.
All goblins learn how to start fires, usually before they
can talk, and most carry the means to start one quickly.
Alchemist’s fire and tindertwigs are preferred, but those
methods are also expensive. Flint and steel are reliable,
but take time to use. A fire carrier is a common tool among
goblin tribes—this object is detailed on page 13.
Goblins are also skilled at identifying things
that burn well—a goblin fire, once started,
rarely goes out accidentally. Sudden rain
showers are the number one cause of goblin fires
being extinguished before the little arsonists want them
to go out—such events are sure causes of depression and
disappointment. Fire is often used to torture prisoners,
the process fulfilling two aims for the goblins beyond
soliciting responses from the victim: the fire amuses the
goblins and, in time, cooks the meat for dinner. Many
goblin festivals are celebrated with great fires, with
some tribes spending months gathering just the right
kinds of firewood for an important ceremony.

Friends, Enemies, and Pets

“We be goblins—we be best! Much, much better than the rest!”
Goblins aren’t tough. They make up for that deficiency
by being sneaky, cruel, and craven, traits that make it
difficult for them to find friends. They hate kobolds, who
they see as rivals, and laugh at orcs (though never to their
faces). While they admire the way gnolls live as scavengers,
they hate how often gnoll-goblin relationships end up