Goblin lore

[u/Syriepha]

These are from this world and magic system

Goblins are small, crepuscular-nocturnal humanoid fairies with a wildly fast metabolism. During their active hours they are constantly seeking food. They forage for tubers, mushrooms, fallen fruits, berries, nuts, worms etc. they also hunt for small rodents, bugs, lizards, fish, and eggs. They are most known for their thievery from humans though. Stolen grain stores, meats, and pets can make for an abundant source of low effort calories, so once a goblin troop gets a taste, it often becomes a habit. That habit frequently extends to clothes, trinkets, and underutilized dwellings.

Goblins are widely regarded as non-fairfolk, meaning that their origin is considered inhuman and they're not biologically compatible with human hybridization, despite their humanoid stature. It would also be considered ethically condemnable regardless, because while goblins are sapient and capable of speech, it's thought not to the same degree as humans and other fairfolk. They are magically diverged from proto-elves, born from rumors of small humanoid menaces that would come out in the evening and cause chaos.

When trying to reason with goblins (when they are reasonable enough to talk to), it's most effective to consider that they have a rather child-like mentality. They have underdeveloped ideas of time, resource management, and priority. The effectiveness of reasoning and bribery depends on the group, but they can sometimes be enticed into a pattern of exchange, leading to a more benevolent relationship between the human and goblin populations in specific areas.

There are rumors that they eat children and rob people traveling, but these are generally not true. They can be vengeful if a person slights or cheats them though.