Hobgoblin

Hobgoblins are the primary race of the Cossacks, a predominantly East Slavic-speaking people who became known as members of democratic, self-governing, semi-military communities, predominantly located in Ukraine and in Russia. Serving various nations over the years, they have played pivotal roles in wars and atrocities throughout Eastern Europe’s history.

Hosts of no Nation

Cossack society and government are heavily militarized. The nation is called a host, and the people are subdivided into regimental and company districts. A unit of Cossack troops, called a kuren, are a force of light cavalry from a Cossack settlement that can respond to threats on a short notice. Cossacks are led by an ataman. Elected along with other important officials during a Cossack rada, they hold executive powers during times of war and wield a powerful ceremonial mace called a bulava. The favored weapon of the Cossacks however, is the Shashka, a light and sharp guard-less sabre.

Cossacks hold education and freedom in high regard. Literacy rates, even among women, are high, especially due to the work of Cossack clerics. Their independence form their parent state is fiercely protected, but more often granted freely in exchange for their military services.

Hobgoblin Names

Hobgoblin personal names usually depend on which country their host currently resides, usually Russia.

Male Names: Danielo, Stepan, Petro, Ivan, Andrei, Pavlo, Yermak, Bohdan, Sergei, Viktor, Vasyl

Female Names: Anastasiya, Vira, Hanna, Luba, Svitlana, Romana, Olha, Olena, Yulia, Zoryana

Surnames: Denisov, Orlov, Platov, Grabbe, Golubintzev, Baklanov, Bogaewsky, Chernozubov, Efremov, Ilovaiski, Krasnov, Klaedin, Krawtzoff, Rykowski.

Hobgoblin Traits

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity, Constitution, and Strength scores are increased by 1.

Age. Hobgoblins reach adulthood by 16 and can live up to 100 years.

Size. Hobgoblins stand between 5 and 6 feet tall and average around 160 pounds. Your size is Medium.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Dark vision. You have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern colors in darkness, only shades of grey.

Martial Advantage. Once per turn, you can deal an extra 1d6 damage to a creature you hit with a weapon attack if that creature is within 5 feet of an ally that isn’t incapacitated. This increases to 2d6 at 8th level, 3d6 at 14th level, and 4d6 at 18th level.

Martial Tradition. You have proficiency with light armor, lances, scimitars, long bows, and javelins.

Cavalry Corps. You gain proficiency in animal handling.

Credit: Aleksandra Trezvina