Homebrew Goblin (Volo's) Species Details

Physical Description

Goblins are small, squat creatures about 3 to 4 feet tall with pointed ears and equally pointy teeth. They have jet black hair and sometimes vary through deep brown and occasionally a deep grey or silver and skin that varies from hues of orange to hues of green. They have beady black eyes and flat faces. Besides that, goblins are very numerous and varied creatures almost more than humans.

History

Goblin history is rich with folklore and tall tales, ranging from hobgoblin invasions of old to the story of a young goblin once rode a chicken into an orc camp. However, it is also riddled with tales of subjugation and powerlessness as, due to their small size, they are frequently bullied into the service of other malevolent creatures. This history of groveling makes goblins dream of gaining power and strength of their own, which sometimes draws them to adventure.

Society

Goblins live in loose clans ruled by a leader they refer to as a Mob Boss. Evil goblin societies frequently war against their neighbors, if not attempt to annoy them. More peaceable goblins, who are fewer and far between, prefer to play practical jokes on neighbors, which sometimes can be just as bad as if they had declared war.

Some goblins believe in reincarnation, which makes them even more dangerous than normal Goblins, as, without the fear of death, they have no qualms dying or sacrificing other goblins for the greater (their own) good.

In the cities where they are accepted, most of the time begrudgingly, goblins usually live in solitary or occasionally join gangs with other races.

Goblin (Volo's) Race Details

In the Forgotten Realms, you are a monstrous adventurer. Figure out what special ties you have to other members of the adventuring party. An orc warlock might be the dwarf ranger's sworn enemy, but the two are forced to work together to defeat a mutual foe. Perhaps the kobold sorcerer was the tiefling wizard's familiar, transformed by an irate archmage in return for some petty insult. The hobgoblin paladin might have been human once, but crossed the wrong hag and was cursed to take on an evil guise. A creative tie between a monstrous character and the rest of the party helps make for a memorable campaign.

The Monstrous Origin table gives a number of ideas for adding a monstrous character to the campaign.

In Ravnica, whether sniveling in fear, cackling with mad laughter, or snarling in a fury, goblins are wretched and inconsequential—at least in the eyes of most of Ravnica's other folk. In their own minds, though, they are content to lurk in the shadows only until they fully come into their own and receive the recognition they believe they deserve. They are entitled to some credit for their tenacity, agility, crafty ingenuity, and dumb luck, all of which has enabled them to survive in a world overrun with creatures larger and more powerful than they are.

 

Goblin (Volo's) Traits

Goblins are an elusive and nimble race, which enable them to slip away from danger more easily than most. In combat, goblins often use this advantage to sneak up on enemies and deal them a blow from hiding and then slip away before they can be retaliated against. When they have superior numbers in battle, goblins attempt to flank lone combatants.

Fury Of The Small

When you damage a creature with an attack or a spell and the creature's size is larger than yours, you can cause the attack or spell to deal extra damage to the creature. The extra damage equals your level. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Nimble Escape

Goblins are small so you can take the disengage or hide action as a bonus action on each of your turns.

Ability Score Increase

Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Constitution score increases by 1.

 

Age

Goblins reach adulthood at age 8 and live up to 60 years.

Darkvision

You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Alignment

Goblins can be very chaotic creatures, its up to the player to decide if they want to be good, neutral or evil. At least than half of the goblin population are chaotic evil.

Size

Goblins are between 3 and 4 feet tall and weigh between 40 and 80 pounds. Your size is Small. Your height is 3'5" with a modifier of +2d4. Your weight is 35 lbs. with a modifier of +(height roll) x 1

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet. As Goblins are not known for their strength, your climbing speed is 25 feet. Your swimming speed is also 25 feet.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and Gnomish. The Gnomish language, which uses the Dwarvish script, is renowned for its technical treatises and its catalogs of knowledge about the natural world.