Goblin

Most goblins tend to throw pumpkin bombs and use flying crafts to annoy superheroes.

Goblins are mythological creatures of unclear origin and contradicting descriptions. They are small humanoids of a mischievous nature, possibly belonging to the fey family (along with creatures such as redcaps, brownies, leprechauns, kobolds, etc.)

In modern fantasy, the term "goblin" has been very much determined by the Tolkienian use of the word - as in, a smaller variant of the orc species. Goblin appearance has been further shaped by both video- and boardgames, as well as various artists. They are universally smaller than humans, although the exact size varies, and often have large pointy ears (larger and more animalistic than elf ears) and either long, crooked and pointed noses or orc-esque noseless features.

The typical goblin stereotype is that of a savage warrior and raider that attacks villages and ambushes unwary travelers; being one-dimensionally evil, they can be (and are) killed without remorse in large numbers (unless you read G:LTTE.) They act and move in smaller groups as they don't pose a large threat by themselves, and are commonly the first combat encounter for a young adventurer. Goblins tend to live in caves and gang up with orcs and similar races, to whom they are sometimes described as belonging to the same family or species.

Other games and stories feature different kinds of goblins. For example Warhammer(40k), Warcraft and (some) Magic: The Gathering goblins have a penchant for technology and love to tinker with machinery (steampunk contraptions and the like), somewhat propagating the "mad scientist" archetype. In Eberron, goblins are the descendants of a once mighty kingdom instead of simple savages. In Pathfinder, they're stupid little freaks with all manner of strange quirks (good singing voices, fear horses and writing, like fire and pickles,) sort of a cross between Gremlins and a baby-eating Stitch.

See also

• Unified Setting/Goblins Yet another take on a classic concept.