Goblin, Blunderbuss
Unlike regular goblins, Blunderbuss Goblins are very intelligent and have a natural aptitude with mechanical devices. Blunderbuss Goblins are more hearty than your average goblin stock, living longer and fighting better then their lesser cousins. Blunderbuss Goblins have developed the use of gunpowder and now use it for their main weapons. Blunderbuss Goblins are skilled in making cannon, bombs, & blunderbusses. These goblins can at times be found in a group of regular goblins, as their leaders of course. Blunderbuss Goblins are fierce and brave, they attack with little fear as their own weapons can be deadly to the user! These creatures are organized into warrior bands with a rigid hierarchy in place to maintain order. The leader of a group of Blunderbuss goblins is usually an individual that have survived several suicidal attacks with the scars to prove it. These creatures respect reckless bravery and lack of self-preservation. As this is the nature of these Goblins, most of the leaders are never around too long before they are blown to bits in a fantastic manner. When not making war, these creatures are preparing for it. They spend their off time making their unique weapons and teaching their skills to the next generation of artisans. Blunderbuss Goblins are often employed as mercenaries due to their unique talents. They are militaristic by nature and adapt well to command by others.
Battle Tactics:
Blunderbuss Goblins are skilled without their weapons. They know how to employ cannon, bomb and massed blunderbuss to deadly effect. Their weapons are not perfect and can at times detonate prematurely, often times killing the wielder. Blunderbuss Goblins are not cowardly like their lesser cousins, they enjoy battle and will gladly charge into the fray. This factor makes them somewhat hard to marshal into an effective fighting force as they will spread out. When under a tight reign however they can be very effective. A Blunderbuss barrage can level heavy cavalry in one volley, their cannons and bombs are excellent to break forts and battlements. In addition the various firearms they employ they also will be armed with a few melee weapons for in close fighting. They fight in melee much better then their lesser cousins, many a army has underestimated their fighting ability in close and it has cost them dearly. Blunderbuss Goblins are glory seekers and will attempt outlandish acts of suicidal bravery to gain status in their group. Blunderbuss Goblins have been known to use a catapult to hurl themselves oven an enemy battlement hurling bombs all the way. Of course this kind of behavior leads to an early demise for most of these creatures.
Habitat:
Blunderbuss Goblins tend to live in areas populated by regular goblins. The main difference between a Blunderbuss Goblin lair and an regular goblin lair is good defenses and a excellent forge. Blunderbuss Goblins will also attempt to capture a Dwarven lair to gain access to their superb metal working facility. These creatures are also skilled miners and will usually have a lair located near deposits of minerals. These creatures prefer to live in temperate climes but will live most anywhere and are very adaptable to most climes.
Ecology:
Blunderbuss Goblins Live only slightly longer then regular goblins , around 50 years is very old for one of these creatures. They are able to reproduce all year round and give birth to many offspring. The men and women share in the child raising. The males are the main combatants, this leaves the females to do all the weapon smithing and other tasks in the Goblin home. The role of weapon smith is the most valuable in the Blunderbuss Goblin community, this give the females an equal standing with the war cheifs.
Description:
These Goblins appear to the casual onlooker to be ordinary goblins. They are slightly larger and more muscular, also being much better armed and armored. They prefer black leather, dyed red cloaks, and gold rings in the ears and nose for ornamentation. Their skin color ranges from slime green to a glossy black, they are endless in variation of size and shape-no two look alike.