Hobgoblin

This article is about the legendary creature. For other uses, see Hobgoblin (disambiguation).

Hobgoblin is a term typically applied in folktales to a friendly or amusing goblin. The word seems to derive from 'Robin Goblin', abbreviated to 'hobgoblin', 'Hob', or 'Lob'. The name originally referred to that of a specific folkloric character Robin Goodfellow but has grown to be defined as a different species of goblin or fairy. The name is often interchangeable with "bugbear", "boogeyman", "bugaboo" or "bogie", and the term "hobgoblin" has grown to mean a superficial object that is a source of fear or trouble.

Contents

1 Folk Hobgoblins
2 Fantasy Hobgoblins

2.1 Dungeons & Dragons
2.2 Lord of the Rings
2.3 Orc Magazine
2.4 ''

Folk Hobgoblins

Traditional local fairy tales of Britain say hobgoblins were 1 or 2 feet tall, hairy, and naked or wearing brown clothes. They lived by the fire and rarely went outside. They were described as friendly, impish, ugly, mischievous, good-humored, helpful, mean, grotesque, and fond of practical jokes. If annoyed, they would turn nasty.

The term originated in the 1530s, from hob, meaning elf, from Hobbe, a variant of Rob (Hick for Richard, Hodge for Rodger) an abbreviation or alternative form of Robin Goodfellow, similar to a Kobold in German folklore. A hobgoblin appears in William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream under the name Puck.

Fantasy Hobgoblins

Dungeons & Dragons

See main article Hobgoblin (Dungeons & Dragons).

The creature commonly appears in the bestiaries of fantasy role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, where it is portrayed as a larger, stronger, smarter and more menacing cousin of the goblin, but not as high up on the goblinoid hierarchy as bugbears. In the core Dungeons & Dragons rules, including the Forgotten Realms campaign setting, they worship the goblin deity Maglubiyet.

Lord of the Rings

In the Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien, Hobgoblins are a menacing, larger and stronger form of goblins. "Goblin" was the name used by Hobbits to refer to the orcs of the Misty Mountains, hobgoblin refers to the creatures now known as Uruk-Hai or Uruks.

Orc Magazine

In the fantasy world of [Orc Magazine] the word "Hobgoblin" refers to one of the six different green-skinned creatures that are collectively called "Orcs". Hobgoblins and Goblins look similar and share the following physical characteristics: They both have green skin, sharp teeth, narrow shoulders and long pointy ears. But hobgoblins are much taller - ranging from 5.5 to 6.0ft in height and have a slightly more human appearance. Hobgoblins are less enthusiastic about war then Orks and Goblins. Particularly when it comes to direct hand to hand combat in open fields. Hobgoblins far prefer to fight in woods and swamps under the cover of night. Unlike other Orcs, Hobgoblins deplore urban life. They are explorers who regard cities and towns as little more then places to replenish supplies and sell goods. Hobgoblins are excellent scouts and make good spies as they posses superior vision and can see very well in the dark. The long bow is their preferred weapon. An inproportionate number of Hobgoblins are employed by the "[National Orc Geographic]" publishing company.

'' In the MMORPG RuneScape, hobgoblins are an evolved form of goblins that are stronger and attack weak players.

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