Goblin Height

[InexplicableVic]

Perhaps it doesn't matter a tremendous amount, but are DFRPG goblins (canonically) really only 2 inches shorter than the typical ST 11 on average, i.e., around 5'3" to 6'1"? In other words, not in the 4'-5' height range? I do see that they are SM+0, and not SM-1, and I guess that height is not surprising given that they are described as "resembl[ing] nothing so much as misshapen, hunchbacked elves with pointy ears and needle-like teeth."

I guess I'm thinking of the old-school smallish goblins from other games. Perhaps I should imagine them as much more like Skyrim's Falmer, only greenish skinned, and not blind. In truth, I kind of like that better than 4' tall goblins.

[DouglasCole]

Originally Posted by Spartan506

Perhaps it doesn't matter a tremendous amount, but are DFRPG goblins (canonically) really only 2 inches shorter than the typical ST 11 on average, i.e., around 5'3" to 6'1"? In other words, not in the 4'-5' height range? I do see that they are SM+0, and not SM-1, and I guess that height is not surprising given that they are described as "resembl[ing] nothing so much as misshapen, hunchbacked elves with pointy ears and needle-like teeth."

I guess I'm thinking of the old-school smallish goblins from other games. Perhaps I should imagine them as much more like Skyrim's Falmer, only greenish skinned, and not blind. In truth, I kind of like that better than 4' tall goblins.

At least in Nordlond, the 'nordalfs' are basically D&D goblins and SM -1 or even -2. The storalfs are hobgoblins, and human sized. The 'hobs' are what would be bugbears.

[Imbicatus]

I think the goblins in DFRPG are a direct lift from the goblins in Banestorm/Yrth. They are bigger than the standard D&D/pathfinder based Goblins that are halfling sized.

[Yssa]

I never really thought about it explicitly before, but I now realize that I picture the Moria Orcs/Goblins from the LOTR movies: stretched out, they'd be about the same height as humans from head to toe, but their posture them stand a foot or more shorter.

[Anders]

Originally Posted by Imbicatus

I think the goblins in DFRPG are a direct lift from the goblins in Banestorm/Yrth. They are bigger than the standard D&D/pathfinder based Goblins that are halfling sized.

Not exactly; Banestorm goblins are very clever whereas DFRPG goblins are not.

[Kromm]

Originally Posted by Spartan506

Perhaps it doesn't matter a tremendous amount, but are DFRPG goblins (canonically) really only 2 inches shorter than the typical ST 11 on average, i.e., around 5'3" to 6'1"?

Yes, goblins are only a little shorter than humans – that isn't some kind of typo. They are the smallest goblin-kin, the spectrum being goblins (5’3”-6’1”), half-orcs (5’7”-6’5”), orcs (5’11”-6’9”), and hobgoblins (6’2”-7’), and – if you include them – half-ogres (6’2”-7’) and ogres (8’5”-9’9”). They are not short, weak little pests. In the DFRPG, that niche is filled by dinomen at SM 0, kroa-kroa at SM -1, and horde pygmies at SM -2.

[InexplicableVic]

Originally Posted by Kromm

Yes, goblins are only a little shorter than humans – that isn't some kind of typo. They are the smallest goblin-kin, the spectrum being goblins (5’3”-6’1”), half-orcs (5’7”-6’5”), orcs (5’11”-6’9”), and hobgoblins (6’2”-7’), and – if you include them – half-ogres (6’2”-7’) and ogres (8’5”-9’9”). They are not short, weak little pests. In the DFRPG, that niche is filled by dinomen at SM 0, kroa-kroa at SM -1, and horde pygmies at SM -2.

The more and more I think about it, the more and more I like that breakdown of the goblin-kin races.

[corwyn]

Originally Posted by Kromm

Yes, goblins are only a little shorter than humans – that isn't some kind of typo. They are the smallest goblin-kin, the spectrum being goblins (5’3”-6’1”), half-orcs (5’7”-6’5”), orcs (5’11”-6’9”), and hobgoblins (6’2”-7’), and – if you include them – half-ogres (6’2”-7’) and ogres (8’5”-9’9”). They are not short, weak little pests. In the DFRPG, that niche is filled by dinomen at SM 0, kroa-kroa at SM -1, and horde pygmies at SM -2.

I had not realized Dinomen were human sized - probably since they seem so clearly, to me, inspired by Kobolds.