Iron Kingdoms:Gobbers

Gobberkind has prospered in recent centuries, and it is believed these small and clever people may now outnumber the elves (whose numbers have been waning). However, they do not have their own nation or civilization, and are scattered widely across the Iron Kingdoms. Further, they are an exceptionally adaptable species and have changed to accommodate a wide range of terrain. There are few places in the Kingdoms where gobbers have not managed to find a niche for themselves, even among the barren sands of the Bloodstone Marches.

Goblins were not well understood or appreciated for much of the history of the region, and they were killed on sight during the Thousand Cities era and also by the Orgoth invaders. For this reason gobbers were forced to find shelter in remote locations and areas inhospitable to mankind. However, in the years since the rebellion there has been a change of thought as regards this species and they have gained a measure of acceptance previously unknown. Of all the kingdoms, Llael and the Protectorate have been the most reluctant to give up old prejudices, and gobbers there are frequently persecuted as they were in the past.

But in the other kingdoms gobbers have begun to integrate with humanity, establishing well built towns in close proximity to human neighbors, and many enjoying a nomadic lifestyle traveling the roads of the realm, looking for work and selling their wares. Gobbers are quite intelligent, and have a particular knack for alchemy and mechanical work, both of which has made them useful as skilled workers and assistants to those who can put aside their prejudices.

It is now understood there are two distinct species of gobbers, which includes the "common gobber" found in most cities and the "bogrin" or "bogger" which is a larger, tougher, and wilder gobber more inclined to attack people and violently defend their territory. Civilized examples of both species have found acceptance in the Iron Kingdoms, although the bogrin are often considered dangerous until proven otherwise. Their exact numbers are not known, but it is believed there are equally as many common gobbers as bogrin, each making up half of the overall gobber population. The favorite terrain of the bogrin seems to be mountains and dense forests, away from cities and towns. Those few rare gobbers seen in the sands of the Bloodstone Marches are also believed to be bogrin.