Hobgoblin
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Hobgoblins are a sneaky, evil-minded race of Greenskins. Despised by other Greenskins, the Hobgoblins in the Darklands survive by the grace of their adopted masters, the Chaos Dwarfs. [6]
Hobgoblins, a larger variety of 'standard' Goblins, are found living out on the Eastern Steppes beyond the Worlds Edge Mountains where they are ruled over by the Khans, all of whom answer to the Hobgobla Khan, the greatest of the hobgoblin warlords [3a] and who leads the Great Horde, [4a] which is how is armies are refered to. [7b]
Hobgoblins are known for being the most traitorous creatures in the world. "Backstabbing a friend" is often referred to literally in Hobgoblin society, so much that they have evolved a hard flat bone backplate where a stab is most likely.
Contents
Appearance
Taller than Goblins but scrawnier than Orcs, they have narrow eyes and sneering mouths and unlike other greenskins grow thick hair, usually worn long, lank, and greasy, or tied up into topknots. [6]
History
Khengai Khan was the Mourngul chief who confederated the tribes of the steppes as the first Hobgobla Khan. [6a]
During the height of the largest and most savage Black Orc rebellion the Chaos Dwarfs were almost overcome. Vastly outnumbered by their former slaves they were driven upwards through the layers of their city, fighting for each level, ascending ever closer to the Temple of Hashut itself. At the final hour the city was saved by the treachery of the Hobgoblins, who, having rebelled along with the Black Orcs, switched their allegiance once more and turned the tide against the Orc rebels. In doing so the Hobgoblins earned the enmity of the other green-skinned races who deeply distrust them to this day. They are considered so untrustworthy and underhanded by the other Greenskin races that they refuse to have dealings with them.[1a]
However, their efforts in the Black Orc rebellion caused the Chaos Dwarfs to employ them. Unlike the Chaos Dwarfs’ other slaves, they are not made to work in the pits and workshops, but are used as servants, slavers, and warriors. The Hobgoblins enjoy the favour from their masters and care little what other Greenskins think of them. For their part, the Sorcerers know this and use it as a check against possible Hobgoblin plots.[1a]
Khans
The sub-commanders of the Great Horde are known as Khans, with each one leading at least five hundred wolf-riders. [7b]
Military
The Hobgobla Khan can muster a thousand thousand wolf riders in the Great Horde. [7a]
Tribes
- Blackwolf Clan: Currently serving as Mercenaries in the Old World led by Ghazak Khan. [7a]
- Nag Rippers: They have feuded with the Dolgan for centuries. [5a]
Weapons and Equipment
Some hobgoblins have become skilled with poisoned curved knives from their exposure to Cathay. [3a]
Previous Editions
In previous editions background books, Hobgoblins could interbreed with other Goblins making especially large Goblin off-spring. Also Hobgoblin Shamans had their own fierce mutant guard dogs called Hobhounds.[2]
Gallery
Hobgoblin Khan Mercenary Commander
Hobgoblin Shaman
A Mourngul Renegade
A Hobyar
Hobhound Handler
Hobgoblin Wolf Rider
Hobgoblin
Miniatures
Hobgoblin Big Boss
A regiment of Hobgoblin Warriors.[1]
Hobgoblin Hero
Hobgoblin Standard
Hobgoblin Wolf Riders
Hobgoblin Bolt Thrower
Quotes
| We regard them as eminently expendable. They betrayed their own, they will certainly betray us. In fact many of their boldest Khans have made it clear that they will happily flee allowing us to be overun if a battle ever turns against us. The arrangement is more than suitable. We detest them, they detest us but all of use hate everybody else more.
~ Halgir Ashbrewer, Chaos Dwarf Engineer. [3a] |
Notes & sources
- 1: White Dwarf presents Warhammer Chaos Dwarfs (1994)
- 2: Warhammer 1st Edition - Volume 1: Tabletop Battles, pg. 33
- 3: Old World Bestiary
- 3a: Greenskins, pg. 25-26
- 4: Warhammer Armies (3rd Edition)
- 4a: Hobgoblin Mercenary Contingent, pg. 154
- 5: Doomstones: Death Rock
- 5a: Special Section IV
- 6: Tribes and Tribulations, Hobgoblins, pg. 12
- 7: White Dwarf 231 (UK)
