Hobgoblin (Naphtha) 2 (6)

Cypher Fantasy - Community Content

North of the Phalan Archipelago, there are lone city states that fear the fall and spring seasons. These times when winter either threatens to cover everything with its icy grip or is leaving as the Ocean ice begins to thaw. It also the times that the creatures that call themselves Hobgoblins come in with the night time fog and systematically raid for supplies and slaves with brutal efficacy.

One assumes by the looks of their long furs, tattoos and scarred faces that these creatures are barbarians. On a second glance, though, the furs hide excellent leather craftsmanship, the tattoos are quite complex designs and the scars have patterns.

The creatures still raze villages and leave nothing behind, but they only attack opportune targets and avoid forces larger than their own. Their small, long boats are fast and quiet needing many less oarsmen than Naphtha craft do. Some tacticians think that is no segregation of crew that each Hobgoblin is sailor, warrior and oarsman, which explains how they can slip and out from midnight raids before help can arrive.

When these creatures are cornered, they often fight to the death, expecting and giving no quarter. While they seem to only use armor and weapons salvaged the spoils of their raids, all of the gear has been maintained and cared for.

Even though the tallest Hobgoblin is five feet, most are much wider than a human of the same height. Their Forest green skin and dyed black furs make them almost invisible at night. It's said that they might keep individual goblins as mascots. If that's true, the goblins are not telling.

No one knows where these creatures come from or if they even have a home port.

Environment: Further north in the colder stretches of ocean. (Ocean)

Health: 7

Damage: 4 points

Armor: 2

Movement: Short

Modifications: Speed defense as level 3 when carrying shield and sword.

Combat: Hobgoblins make use of any weapons they salvage. Letting no sharp point or steel edge to waste. A lucky crew will carry at least several Medium and Heavy weapons along with medium bows and every Hobgoblin will know how to use them. Bowmen will attack at long range and do 4 damage. Using Medium and Heavy weapons will bestow their damage values.

• Bruiser: A rare Hobgoblin will be over five feet tall and able to lug a shield with a Heavy weapon. They will have 10 extra health. These aren't typically leader types though.
• Scout: These are usually shorter hobgoblins whose faces resemble their smaller kin, the goblins. They do Stealth, trickery and deceit tasks at level 5.
• Thane: The captain of a raiding party is quick both on her feet and her wits. A captain has 8 extra health and their weapon mastery gives them an additional +2 damage and Speed Defense of 4.

Interactions: Small fishing villages have been systematically attacks and burnt to the ground. Resources are stretched thing between increased patrols and helping the survivors. Your team has been tasked solely with hunting down the mystery invaders.

Uses: A Hobgoblin force is good choice when you want to run a smart raiding force as compared to the usual chaos of a an orcish force.

Loot: A raiding clan may have anything from expensive items made of gold, foodstuff or 1 to 2 cyphers.

GM Intrusion: One of the current hobgoblins in the fight gives a piercing, short whistle. Seven more Hobgoblins come striding in as they unsling their weapons and ready for the fight.