Gretchin
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In the game worlds of Warhammer Fantasy and Warhammer 40,000, Goblins (or Gretchin or Grotz in Warhammer 40K) are basically smaller Goblinoids (Orkoids), which are more cowardly than Orcs and are usually used as living shields, to clear mine fields, are stepped on to get through difficult terrain, and sometimes even as emergency rations. They are quite low in Goblinoid society (the lowest being Snotlings) and are often used for the dirtiest jobs like scavenging and being used as footballs when the Orcs get bored.
While they are not as aggressive as Orcs, they enjoy fighting weaker opponents and are less likely to flee if they comfortably outnumber their opponents. In Warhammer Fantasy, they are organized in independent tribes that occasionally trade with Orcs, or are enslaved by them. Often when Orc Warbosses go on a Waagh many goblin tribes flock to join their banner. In Warhammer 40,000, all Gretchen work as slaves for Orks (although the Warhammer 40,000 spin-off Gorkamorka featured a faction of revolutionary Rebel Grots). As they are a bit more organized than Orks, they are often used to maintain war machines and artillery. Such work is considered by orks as undesirable, because it prevents them from being in the heart of the battle. Gretchen also serve as attendants or "ammo runts" to Ork warlords, assistants to Ork mechanics, and orderlies to Ork doctors.
Because of the mutability of Orks, there is a fine distinction between a large grot and a small ork to an outsider. The definition is more a subjective one; to an Ork anything bigger than him is a boss and anything smaller is a Grot. Indeed it is unclear if any distinction exists at all. A raging debate among 40k players exists as to whether or not grots are young orks or if they constitute a truly separate species. At the moment the canon seems to support the latter conclusion but no definitive evidence exists as yet.
References
| Warhammer 40,000 Articles |
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Daemonhunters |
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