I love Hobgoblins. They are smart, ruthless, and efficient bad guys that I feel get a bad rap. Talk about potential, if you got a few thousand of them marching on the rest of the world, an 1000 year empire could rise.
I was so excited to see the Hobgoblin section in my Volo's and wanted to jot down some thoughts on here.
In my world the Hobgoblins are based off the Roman Empire, ruled by a Wizard. I basically took the Roman Legion example at the End of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Empire and plugged in Hobgoblins instead of Italians (Hobgoblins being Tribal with a governing body of representatives, then consolidated by a powerful, charismatic leader). The result is about as horrifying as you would imagine: A steady onslaught of well trained Hobgoblin legions conquering neighboring countries. I used the book From Stone to Steel for weapon and armor references.
But the Empire isn't the main focus of my campaigns, it serves as a backdrop and constant threat the characters have to worry about while adventuring. Adds depth and danger to the story, I Feel
Check out my podcast! What, you had something better to do? Have you ever heard something interesting and thought "How have they not made a movie about this yet?" Well, so have we.
Inmy campaign the Hobgoblins are more like sparta.
And goblins function like the Helots a population conqured by the spartans, they do al mundane tasks like farming and building so the Spartans/Hobgoblins can focus on war.
I know, right? I've always liked giving the monsters their own nations and having them try and use diplomacy to work out problems. Ever watch a CE Orc try and work out trade disputes? Hilarious!
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Check out my podcast! What, you had something better to do? Have you ever heard something interesting and thought "How have they not made a movie about this yet?" Well, so have we.
My son invented "goliath diplomacy" It involves throwing large rocks at the opposing side until one of you concedes (usually with head trauma or some such)
My son invented "goliath diplomacy" It involves throwing large rocks at the opposing side until one of you concedes (usually with head trauma or some such)
HA "goliath diplomacy" sound like something that Grog form Critical Roll would do or giants would do.
The 5e art for hobgoblins gives of a samurai/feudal Japan fell, and I've taken that and run with it. Their culture in my games is basically fantasy Japan, with most soldiers serving one Warlord (Daimyo) or another. Each Warlord has their own goals, which means that, while all the Warlords are subservient to the Emperor, not all hobgoblins will fight for the same cause, though you can always know that they will honour an agreement.
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In my Campaign, there is a Society consisting or Orcs, Hobgoblins, Goblins, and Bugbears, with the Orcs & Hobgoblins on top. Hobgoblins basically run the army, while orcs make up most of the Upper class and anything to do with the navy. The party has really grown to hate the site of Hobgoblin Archer/Officers behind Bugbear Shocktroops.
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Dubito, ergo cogito, ergo sum.
PbP character Son Kol - Kel Dor Fringer (Shadows of the Republic)
Wow man thats a cool way of using them, I often use them more on a bounty hunters kind of way, in order to neither make them good or evil. Anways I remember having this one Hobgoblin whose name was Rodthor, that adopted an halfling boy and trained him on the ways of a ruthless warrior, and when the kid grew up they traveled the land as swords for hire, and actually its one of my favourite NPC´s Ive ever made.
I have something like that too. There is a nation ruled by 3 powerful figures who use the incapable hobgoblin descendant of an ancient hobgoblin hero as their frontliner. Orcs aren't there (orcs are undead elves in my campaign) but hobgoblins, bugbears, and the like are common in the society.
I depict goblinoids more as steppe hordes: goblins are the disorganized mob, bugbears are the elite (but still savage) warriors, while hobgoblins are instead the Khans that are actually cultured and frequently experienced in strategy, diplomacy, administration and even philosophy thanks to a superior education imparted by the sages of the invaded empires, turned into tutor-slaves for their heirs.
I love Hobgoblins, frankly. They're my favorite "evil" race in the game, the conquering legions being a far more credible threat in my mind than rampaging marauders, but that's just my opinion. I use elements from Imperial Rome (Mostly aesthetic and infantry tactics), the Central European Steppe Tribes (Nomadic lifestyle, mounted archers on Worgback) and Sengoku Jidai period Japan (Imperator = Shogun, Bushido-style honor code, constant infighting between Legions and Banners).
I am really digging this Hobgoblin/Japanese Feudal system, it works frighteningly well.
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Check out my podcast! What, you had something better to do? Have you ever heard something interesting and thought "How have they not made a movie about this yet?" Well, so have we.
I love Hobgoblins. They are smart, ruthless, and efficient bad guys that I feel get a bad rap. Talk about potential, if you got a few thousand of them marching on the rest of the world, an 1000 year empire could rise.
I was so excited to see the Hobgoblin section in my Volo's and wanted to jot down some thoughts on here.
In my world the Hobgoblins are based off the Roman Empire, ruled by a Wizard. I basically took the Roman Legion example at the End of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Empire and plugged in Hobgoblins instead of Italians (Hobgoblins being Tribal with a governing body of representatives, then consolidated by a powerful, charismatic leader). The result is about as horrifying as you would imagine: A steady onslaught of well trained Hobgoblin legions conquering neighboring countries. I used the book From Stone to Steel for weapon and armor references.
But the Empire isn't the main focus of my campaigns, it serves as a backdrop and constant threat the characters have to worry about while adventuring. Adds depth and danger to the story, I Feel
Check out my podcast! What, you had something better to do?
Have you ever heard something interesting and thought "How have they not made a movie about this yet?" Well, so have we.
https://soundcloud.com/howisthisnotamovieyet
I love the idea of other races having their own societies that PCs have to interact with, on more than just a stab/burn/smash level.
geek dad with 3 geek kids
Inmy campaign the Hobgoblins are more like sparta.
I know, right? I've always liked giving the monsters their own nations and having them try and use diplomacy to work out problems. Ever watch a CE Orc try and work out trade disputes? Hilarious!
Check out my podcast! What, you had something better to do?
Have you ever heard something interesting and thought "How have they not made a movie about this yet?" Well, so have we.
https://soundcloud.com/howisthisnotamovieyet
My son invented "goliath diplomacy" It involves throwing large rocks at the opposing side until one of you concedes (usually with head trauma or some such)
geek dad with 3 geek kids
The 5e art for hobgoblins gives of a samurai/feudal Japan fell, and I've taken that and run with it. Their culture in my games is basically fantasy Japan, with most soldiers serving one Warlord (Daimyo) or another. Each Warlord has their own goals, which means that, while all the Warlords are subservient to the Emperor, not all hobgoblins will fight for the same cause, though you can always know that they will honour an agreement.
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You know Monsters actually HAVE their own independent nation. Its a thing in Eberron, and it is ruled by hags. Just search up Droaam in google.
Just an average metalhead who plays DnD in his spare time.
PbP Character: Roberta Thalan, Void Beyond the Stars Otherside
PbP Character: Primus Eidolon, Eotha 2
PbP Character: Usmor Illiqai, Tomb of Corrosion
PbP Character: "Templar" Danver, You're the Villains
Homebrew stuff
That's the problem though: Its only in Eberron. Some
freakspeople don't play in Eberron.BTW: Can I make a reservation at the Stormreach Temple of the Blood of Vol?
Do you have difficulty fitting everything you want into your signature? Then check out the Extended Signature thread!
Here's my Extended Signature!
In my Campaign, there is a Society consisting or Orcs, Hobgoblins, Goblins, and Bugbears, with the Orcs & Hobgoblins on top. Hobgoblins basically run the army, while orcs make up most of the Upper class and anything to do with the navy. The party has really grown to hate the site of Hobgoblin Archer/Officers behind Bugbear Shocktroops.
Dubito, ergo cogito, ergo sum.
PbP character Son Kol - Kel Dor Fringer (Shadows of the Republic)
PbP charcater Mabeh Honeydew - Wood Elf Druid (Void Beyond the Stars - Inner Realms)
Wow man thats a cool way of using them, I often use them more on a bounty hunters kind of way, in order to neither make them good or evil. Anways I remember having this one Hobgoblin whose name was Rodthor, that adopted an halfling boy and trained him on the ways of a ruthless warrior, and when the kid grew up they traveled the land as swords for hire, and actually its one of my favourite NPC´s Ive ever made.
That is actually beutiful
Dubito, ergo cogito, ergo sum.
PbP character Son Kol - Kel Dor Fringer (Shadows of the Republic)
PbP charcater Mabeh Honeydew - Wood Elf Druid (Void Beyond the Stars - Inner Realms)
I have something like that too. There is a nation ruled by 3 powerful figures who use the incapable hobgoblin descendant of an ancient hobgoblin hero as their frontliner. Orcs aren't there (orcs are undead elves in my campaign) but hobgoblins, bugbears, and the like are common in the society.
Just an average metalhead who plays DnD in his spare time.
PbP Character: Roberta Thalan, Void Beyond the Stars Otherside
PbP Character: Primus Eidolon, Eotha 2
PbP Character: Usmor Illiqai, Tomb of Corrosion
PbP Character: "Templar" Danver, You're the Villains
Homebrew stuff
I depict goblinoids more as steppe hordes: goblins are the disorganized mob, bugbears are the elite (but still savage) warriors, while hobgoblins are instead the Khans that are actually cultured and frequently experienced in strategy, diplomacy, administration and even philosophy thanks to a superior education imparted by the sages of the invaded empires, turned into tutor-slaves for their heirs.
AL Pisa: Comunità di gioco organizzato per Adventurers League in area Pisa centro
Meet the legend of the abominable snowmartos and the toad who lept through time.
Proud creator of Martos' seedy alley, Martos' cold fusion, Freezing coffing of the Nadus, Swarm of toads and Oppressive weight of the batrachian
I love Hobgoblins, frankly. They're my favorite "evil" race in the game, the conquering legions being a far more credible threat in my mind than rampaging marauders, but that's just my opinion. I use elements from Imperial Rome (Mostly aesthetic and infantry tactics), the Central European Steppe Tribes (Nomadic lifestyle, mounted archers on Worgback) and Sengoku Jidai period Japan (Imperator = Shogun, Bushido-style honor code, constant infighting between Legions and Banners).
Acheron! Acheron!
I am really digging this Hobgoblin/Japanese Feudal system, it works frighteningly well.
Check out my podcast! What, you had something better to do?
Have you ever heard something interesting and thought "How have they not made a movie about this yet?" Well, so have we.
https://soundcloud.com/howisthisnotamovieyet
I generally have hobgoblins as powerful but uncouth brutes ruled by a leader who bullied to the top. I imagine my hobgoblins more like the 3.5 ones.
Just an average metalhead who plays DnD in his spare time.
PbP Character: Roberta Thalan, Void Beyond the Stars Otherside
PbP Character: Primus Eidolon, Eotha 2
PbP Character: Usmor Illiqai, Tomb of Corrosion
PbP Character: "Templar" Danver, You're the Villains
Homebrew stuff