Goblins have a tribal society, the strongest ruling the rest, allowing fealty to the goblin king.  It is possible goblins are distantly related to kobolds.  Like the latter, goblins enjoy dwelling dismal surroundings, although the tend to inhabit caves and similar underground places in preference to any habitation above ground.  They hate full daylight and attack with a +1 Diff Mod when in sunlight.  Goblins have normal infravision (Short Range = 8 meters).

For every 40 goblins encountered, there will be a leader and four assistants who are equal to orcs (Experienced NPCs).  If 200 or more goblins are encountered there will be the following additional figures:  a sub-chief and 2-8 guards, each fighting as hobgoblins (Experienced NPCs).  There is a 25 percent chance that any force of goblins encountered will have 10 percent of its strength mounted on huge wolves and if this is the case there will also be from 10-40 of these creatures without riders.  In their lair there will be the following additional figures:  a goblin chief and 2-8 bodyguards (Experienced NPCs), females and young equal to 60 percent and 100 percent respectively of the number of male goblins encountered.  As is usual with creatures of this sort, the females and young do not fight.  A goblin lair will be protected by from 5-30 huge wolves not less than 60 percent of the time.  There is a 20 percent chance that 2-12 bugbears will be in a goblin lair.

Goblins are fair miners, and they note new or unusual construction underground or sloping passages on a successful Difficult: Excavation task.  They hate gnomes and dwarves and will attack them in preference to any other creature.  All goblins are slave takers and fond of torture.

Description:  Goblins range from yellow through dull orange to brick red in skin color.  Their eyes are reddish to lemon yellow.  They dress in dark leather gear, and their garments tend toward dull, soiled-looking colors (brown drab, dirty gray, stained maroon).  Goblins reach the age of 50 years or so.