Hobgoblin

Hobgoblins are a race of goblinoids of Exandria known for being great soldiers and military strategists. There are large communities of hobgoblins in the Iron Authority empire of Tal'Dorei and in Xhorhas part of Wildemount. They have been historically worshipping Bane], [[the Luxon,Lolth, as well.

Description
Hobgoblins are medium-sized humanoids who usually reach a height of between 5 and 6 feet and tend to weigh between 150 and 200 pounds. Most hobgoblins are similar to humans in their stature and the they build, ranging from slender to broad shouldered and muscular. They have described as having red, brownish-red, or deep reddish-brown skin. They may have wide or pointed noses large ears, bright yellow eyes, and powerful incisors, which gives them a somewhat feline appearance.

Aside from the hair on their head and facial hair, which can be dark red or simply black in color, the rest of the body lacks any hair.

The hobgoblins of Dumaran were twisted by Lolth and have dark black hair and pale yellow eyes.

Personality
Hobgoblins are often associated with the Iron Authority empire, where they have a majority. The rule in the empire is cruel and its leaders have "press-ganged" the entire population of the empire into compulsory military service, which led to stereotypes that hobgoblins are warlike, martial nature.

History
During the Calamity, Bane revealed himself to the dranassar, a strong, cunning, multitudinous race of humanoids living at the time in the region now known as Xhorhas. Many of them, enthralled by Bane's power, followed him willingly, and their capital of Ghor Dranas became the seat of the Betrayer Gods' power. Those who opposed him were bent to his will and were corrupted first. When Bane needed loyal legions, he made some dranassar slaves into hobgoblins; for other roles he twisted the dranassar into goblins and bugbears. As the war raged on, even those loyal to him were corrupted to fill the ranks.

Curse of strife
Though Bane was defeated by Melora in one of the final battles of the Calamity and banished beyond the Divine Gate, goblinkin still can be affected by the curse of strife and be susceptible to Bane's influence. The effects are unpredictable, causing some to become uncontrollably aggressive, others to become obedient soldiers, and yet others to become solitary criminals.

Tal'Dorei
In 812 PD, most hobgoblins of Tal'Dorei either lived in the parts of the Iron Authority empire, which has seized control of the entirety of the Beynsfal Plateaus and was pushing into the Rifenmist Jungle to subjugate the natives, or hobgoblins who were captured during many armed conflicts.

Most hoblins are loyal to the crow, but ones who are farther afield, north of the hostile Rifenmist Jungle, and separated from the authority's propaganda, these hobgoblins more "independently minded". Most of these free hobgoblins know the hardships of the empire life only feon their parents’ stories and are able to live happily free of its influence.

In 836 PD, many escapees live in cities such as Emon, Kymal, or Byroden. Around this time, one hobgoblin who has risen to the near-divine power of a lesser idol is Ghaladron, Traitor to the Iron Crown.

Wildemount
Hobgoblins are a common in Xhorhas of Wildemount.

Dumaran
Dumaran is a fortress built into the western side of the Penumbra Range, facing the Vermaloc Wildwood. The hobgoblins of Dumaran are descended from survivors of the Calamity who fought the clans of the Iothia Moorland for resources. This population converted to worship Lolth and join the Children of Malice. As a result, these hobgoblins were transformed in appearance, granted dark powers, and are culturally different from typical hobgoblins found throughout the Kryn Dynasty.

Hobgoblins of Dumaran despise the drow of the Kryn Dynasty for turning their backs on Lolth in favor of the Luxon. Under the command of Head Matron Vivurk Tonn, the drow and hobgoblin houses of Dumaran prepare to one day destroy the Kryn Dynasty by building paths through the Penumbra Range towards Rosohna. For the time being, the hobgoblins raid those traveling through the Vermaloc Wildwood at night, commanding the giant, poisonous arachnids living in the forest to aid in their efforts.

Kryn Dynasty
Hobgoblins are particularly common near Rosohna, and one of the seven villages of the Many Hosts of Igrathad is the militant hobgoblin settlement of Oshinik-Ka, marked by stone bunkers and barricades. Goblinkin born within 100 miles of a Luxon beacon are free of Bane's curse of strife, and the Kryn Dynasty has forged close ties with goblinkin.

In the Ghostlands just north of Rosohna there is a nomadic war band of hobgoblin called Children of Malice and led by Ironeye Jaglord Brukk.

A few hobgoblins (and bugbears) in the lands of the Dynasty still worship Bane in a cult called the Lords of Strife.