Goblin
"Goblins are an odd study in group-thought. As individuals, they are sniveling cowards who recoil from anyone who appears remotely stronger than themselves -- in large masses, they are known to hurl themselves with unthinking savagery onto pike and axe. The common wisdom is that in large groups the goblins in front simply have no choice, as they are pushed forward by the teeming masses behind them, and so they fight like cornered animals." — Enmity of the Goblins III
Lore
While the word "Goblin" is sometimes used as a synonym for "Orc", it often refers to the smaller breeds of Orc-kind. These smaller Orcs gather in mountain caves where they create their own settlements, such as Goblin-town in the Misty Mountains. From these outposts, they strike at passing travelers or lead raiding parties into nearby towns. Goblins tend to be used as expendable foot soldiers or laborers in Orc armies. What they lack in strength or cunning, they make up for in numbers. Goblins prefer to swarm their enemies in groups or to attack from a distance with bombs of explosive black powder.
While their ultimate loyalty is to the Dark Lord Sauron, Goblins are also known to congregate under a tribal leader, such as the Great Goblin of Goblin-town.
Tribes
Goblins live in tribes, with the larger ones having a king as their leader. The tribes often include orcs and larger creatures such as Trolls and Uruk-hai. Some tribes, such as the White Hand, have been formed by various leaders of the dark forces and may comprise members that once were in different tribes. Other tribes form the garrison of some of the fortresses and other places of the forces of darkness.
Tribe names
- Blue-crag Goblin Tribe
- Blogmal Goblin Tribe
- Frûmhon Goblin Tribe
- Ongbúrz Goblin Tribe
- Búrzthrang Goblin Tribe
- Highpeak Goblin Tribe
- Krahjarn Goblin Tribe
- Midgewater Goblin Tribe
- Nâkhmau Goblin Tribe
- Snowreap Goblin Tribe
Goblin Cities
- Gramsfoot Goblin-city
- Goblin-town Goblin-city
- Guldur Goblin-city
- Gundabad Goblin-city
- Mazog Goblin-city
- Moria Goblin-city
- Isengard Goblin-city
- Stonehold Goblin-city
Outcasts
Background
Goblins are based upon monstrous creatures depicted in European mythology. In The Hobbit, Tolkien used the word as an English version of the name orc. In The Lord of the Rings, goblins and orcs are virtually interchangeable names. In the game, goblins tend to be smaller and weaker than orcs. Goblins and orcs are often members of the same tribe.
Index
Listing of all named goblin types and individuals.