Goblins of the Multiverse: Ravnica - Pt. 1

Ten thousand years ago, Ravnica was a world of constant violence and neverending war. To ensure that the violence didn’t escalate into complete destruction of the world (a very real threat when combatants include Rakdos and Niv-Mizzet,) the ten faction leaders agreed to a magical treaty called the Guildpact. This promised each faction, afterward referred to as guilds, would work together while also staying out of each other’s affairs. Presently, countless goblins live on Ravnica, many of which have become members of the guilds.





Krenko’s Command by Karl Kopinski



Ravnican goblins are almost entirely indistinguishable from Dominarian goblins, and this is unlikely coincidence. According to former Boros Guildmaster Pierakor az Vinrenn D'rav, before the signing of the Guildpact many peoples came to Ravnica from other planes. Considering the vast physical differences in goblins along various planes, it is likely that these near-identical goblins are actually the same species, separated by ten thousand years of societal development. Ravnican goblins have the following characteristics:

Shattergang Brothers by Kev Walker



Mammalian: Despite the appearance of green, scaly skin. Ravnican goblins are warm blooded, give live birth, nurse their young, and have the capacity to grow hair. Hair growth is very rare on males, but is much more common among females. Some older males possess facial hair, but usually in such small amounts that it takes a keen eye to notice. Goblin ‘scales’ are actually just thick skin, more akin to an elephant or rhinoceros than a reptile.





Rabble-Rouser by Justin Norman



Carnivorous: Ravnica’s goblins are primarily carnivores, possessing teeth designed for meat far better than for plants. While this doesn’t prevent them from eating plants, it does mean that doing so is more difficult and less nutritious than for a human. Goblins are known to be particularly fond of eggs and invertebrates, which the Golgari grow to tremendous sizes.





Goblin Flectomancer by Matt Cavotta



Intelligence: Ravnican goblins are mentally advanced from their Dominarian brethren. This is likely less a question of being inherently smarter creatures and more a question of living with a more educated populace in a more mentally stimulating environment. Many of Ravnica’s goblins can read and write, and advanced scientific progress means the goblins’ natural tendency to tinker lets them reach much greater heights in Ravnica. Not all of Ravnica’s goblins are educated or particularly bright, but even the anti-intellectual Gruul clan goblins show average intelligence higher than that of goblins on most other planes.





Goblin Rally by Nic Klein



Roles: Ravnica’s goblins are mostly defined by the guild or lack of guild they’ve become attached to, either by choice or by birth. Most goblins are members of some sort of clan or tribe, an extended family unit that may or may not be attached to a guild. Goblins make do with the work they can get, often doing labor intensive tasks involving moving in small spaces or significant climbing. Racism against goblins permeates the city-world, though, and many goblins fall to a life of crime. Organized goblin crime is a major issue, and the occasional goblin gang war causes significant collateral damage.



For the guilded goblins, each guild offers a unique experience. For a look at these guilds, join us next week for Goblins of the Multiverse: Ravnica - Part 2.





Krenko’s Enforcer by Karl Kopinski



Special thanks to @vorthosjay for fact checking aid.

