Goblin, Firedeep
Firedeep Goblin, 1st-Level Warrior
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Size/Type | Small Humanoid (Goblinoid) |
| Hit Dice | 1d8+1 (5 hp) |
| Initiative | +1 |
| Speed | 30 ft. (6 squares) |
| Armor Class | 16 (+1 size, +1 Dex, +2 leather armor, +1 light shield, +1 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 15 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +1/-4 |
| Attack | Stone club +0 melee (1d4-1); or sharp-edged rock +2 ranged (1d3-1) |
| Full Attack | Stone club +0 melee (1d4-1); or sharp-edged rock +2 ranged (1d3-1) |
| Space/Reach | 5 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks | ― |
| Special Qualities | Darkvision 60 ft., resistance to fire 5, spell-like abilities, light sensitivity |
| Saves | Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +0 |
| Abilities | Str 8, Dex 12, Con 13, Int 9, Wis 11, Cha 6 |
| Skills | Hide +5, Listen +7, Move Silently +5, Spot +3 |
| Feats | Alertness |
| Environment | Underground |
| Organization | Gang (4–9), band (10–80 plus 100% noncombatants plus 1 3rd-level sergeant per 20 adults and 1 leader of 4th-5th level), or tribe (20–200 plus 1 3rd-level sergeant per 20 adults, 1 lieutenants of 4th level, 1 leader of 5th-7th level) |
| Challenge Rating | ½ |
| Treasure | Standard |
| Alignment | Usually neutral evil |
| Advancement | By character class |
| Level Adjustment | +0 |
Description
This undersized humanoid has pale, glistening white flesh, with a flat face, pointed ears, pale eyes, broad nose, and a wide, fanged mouth. Its hair is a short stubble on top of its scalp. It stands upright but slightly stooped, with gangly arms that dangle almost to the floor.
Deep in the bowels of the earth, where the rock is hot enough to burn the flesh and the groundwater turns to steam, dwells this little known goblinoid race. The firedeep are a forgotten creation of the goblin gods, and are distant cousins to the goblin that dwell upon the surface. These goblins are, however, strikingly different in certain respects.
The rough flesh of the firedeep goblin is an ash-white hue, and the pupils of their eyes are equally pale. Their hair is a short, pale gray stubble that only grows on the back of their heads and down the neck. An odd layer of slime coats the tough skin, protecting the firedeep from the extreme temperatures at these depths. They are normally clothed only in a crude lizard-hide garb that serves as poor armor.
The blood of the firedeep goblin is a blackened ichor that moves of its own accord when torn from the body. This ichor will sting the flesh of any creature it touches, and leaves small boils upon the skin. However this damage is negligible and will quickly heal after a few days.
Because they were created for life in the lower depths these goblin have lost the normal sight of the surface dwellers, and have great difficulty seeing in bright light. Instead they have developed exceptional hearing and very effective darkvision.
Apart from their ability to withstand the withering heat found deep underground, the distinguishing ability of the firedeep goblin is their stone shaping power. They are quite adept at this ability and can form stone into shapes and forms that can pass for decent-quality sculpting. They employ this to reshape the stone about their homes into an organic hive of chambers and tunnels that will rapidly bewilder most invaders.
Combat
Due to their innate ability to reshape common rock, firedeep goblins are able to form weapons and bucklers out of stone. These implements are almost as effective as metal and wood. They are adept at reshaping their underground environment and turning narrow tunnels into death traps.
Spell-like Abilities: 1/day―stone shape. Caster level 5th or the firedeep goblin's class levels, whichever is greater.
Light Sensitivity (Ex): Firedeep goblins are dazzled in bright sunlight or within radius of a daylight spell.
Firedeep Goblin Traits (Ex): Firedeep goblins possess the following racial traits.
- -2 Strength, +2 Dexterity, -2 Charisma.
- Small size: +1 bonus to Armor Class, +1 bonus on attack rolls, +4 bonus on Hide checks, -4 penalty on grapple checks, lifting and carrying limits ¾ those of Medium characters.
- A firedeep goblin's base land speed is 30 feet.
- Darkvision out to 60 feet.
- Resistance to fire 5.
- +1 natural armor bonus.
- Special Qualities (see above): spell-like abilities, light sensitivity.
- Automatic Languages: Undercommon, Goblin. Bonus Languages: Dwarven, Orc, Terran.
- +2 racial bonus on Listen and Move Silently checks.
- Favored Class: Rogue.
The firedeep goblin presented here had the following ability scores before racial adjustments: Str 10, Dex 12, Con 13, Int 9, Wis 11, Cha 8.
Firedeep Goblin Society
Although it seems that life in the hot depths should be all but unbearable, the firedeep goblins have fared well in this environment. There are a surprising variety of extreme life forms this deep beneath the earth, and the clans never want for food. Instead much of their spare time is spent warring upon each other, or making the occasional forays into the cooler passages above in search of booty.
The firedeep goblin society is a continual struggle for supremacy, and only the craftiest members of the tribe rise to become leaders and mate with the females. As few other races can survive down here, the firedeep goblins settle for making slaves of the other firedeep goblins captured during raids.
In most other respects the firedeep goblin society is similar to that of other goblins. There are certainly cultural differences, and a greater emphasis on stone working and shaping. But these goblins worship the same gods, and have the same skills and clan organization as their brethren.