Goblins and Hobgoblins as PCs
After the party had left the Caves of Chaos (sessions 49-70), I decided to open up the option of goblin or hobgoblin as PC races. Earlier this month I messaged the players in our group chat, but I am repeating it here as a reminder, as whatsapp's chat history is not the easiest-to-search record of what a GM said ~2 weeks ago. While I am at it, I might as well expand a little my thoughts on the subject.
This decision was a direct result of how the group dealt with the two (allied) factions of the goblins and hobgoblins within the caves. Admittedly the switch to negotiation was driven by the hobgoblins having human prisoners, rather than being the players' go-to choice; the PCs' desire to free the prisoners overruling other factors. Nonetheless, the hobgoblins respect strength, and were prepared to release the prisoners in exchange for the PCs fighting orcs on their behalf (perhaps the goblins fear the PCs rather than respect them, but it amounts to the same thing).
There was some dissension amongst the players as to whether they should slaughter the goblin-kin after the prisoners had been released, citing the concern that the hobgoblins would surely betray them if they got the chance. Ultimately honour prevailed within the party; although they were weary of a trap or double-cross, the PCs would not attack the (hob)goblins first. For their part, the hobgoblins did not ambush or betray the party, despite having opportunity to do so. Even though hobgoblins in Dungeon Fantasy are supposed to be aggressive and stupid, that doesn't automatically make them dishonourable, or possessed of a death-wish.
There was some dissension amongst the players as to whether they should slaughter the goblin-kin after the prisoners had been released, citing the concern that the hobgoblins would surely betray them if they got the chance. Ultimately honour prevailed within the party; although they were weary of a trap or double-cross, the PCs would not attack the (hob)goblins first. For their part, the hobgoblins did not ambush or betray the party, despite having opportunity to do so. Even though hobgoblins in Dungeon Fantasy are supposed to be aggressive and stupid, that doesn't automatically make them dishonourable, or possessed of a death-wish.
As a result of the above, it seemed to me that the possibility of a goblin or hobgoblin adventurer would be a nice option as party member in future. I am expressly not including orcs in this, as the party specifically attacked both orc tribes in the Caves, at the direction of the hobgoblins.
Normally I would tend to be quite conservative as GM when it comes to player character race choices, in a previous fantasy campaign I ran a few years ago, all the PCs (and most of the NPCs) were humans. This time however I decided to run a dungeon fantasy game using DFRPG as the base, and that meant including all the starting professional templates, whether I would normally have half-orcs or cat-folk, or not. Having made that choice, it seems fair to add in extra options as the campaign story develops, often depending upon party choices and actions.
For the goblin and hobgoblins PC racial templates, I will be using those taken from GURPS Dungeon Fantasy 3: The Next Level, but slightly modified to be consistent with the changes in DFRPG. As an example, the hobgoblin template is available in the free preview PDF of DF3.
For the goblin and hobgoblins PC racial templates, I will be using those taken from GURPS Dungeon Fantasy 3: The Next Level, but slightly modified to be consistent with the changes in DFRPG. As an example, the hobgoblin template is available in the free preview PDF of DF3.
Did you use that hobgoblin template for the Caves of Chaos hobgoblins? If so, it's quite likely they'd consider betraying the party - an average IQ of 8 and Bad Temper means they're pretty stupid and easily provoked.
ReplyDeleteI used the hobgoblins in DFRPG Monsters book as the base, and I believe that stat block is based on the same template.
DeleteWhile it is likely the hobgoblins considered betrayal, their leader doesn't have IQ 8, nor their goblin allies. The PCs killed a LOT of them (and the ogre) prior to the negotiation, and then subsequently decapitated both orc tribes without any losses.
From the hobgoblin description in DFRPG Monsters, I interpret the unwillingness to negotiate unless the opponent demonstrates strength in battle, as an indication that they respect that strength. The (hob)goblins had more to gain from directing the PCs at the other factions than attacking them. Conversely the players were careful not to show themselves wounded or vulnerable in their dealings with the hobgoblins, nor did they provoke them.