Goblins of the Multiverse: Dominaria - Pt. 1

The most intently explored plane in the multiverse, Dominaria is a vast world with multiple continents, diverse climates, and goblins in every corner. When most think of ‘goblins,’ it’s the Dominarian variety that comes to mind, and the existence of seeded worlds doesn’t hurt this feeling. The Kyren, the Krark Clan, the Moggs, and the various tribes of Ravnica are all presumably descended from Dominaria’s goblins. Shandalar’s goblins, too, appear to be related to Dominaria’s, though there’s no historical evidence to show what the relation might be.





Goblin Offensive by Carl Critchlow



Explaining Dominarian goblins, in many ways, is explaining goblins as a whole. Though Dominaria has various tribes all over the world, it is important to note the trait that these goblins share that other races do not. Dominarian goblins, and those descended of them, have the following characteristics:





Goblin Warrens by Dan Frazier



Mammalian: As stated in the discussion of their Ravnican brethren, Dominarian goblins are mammals, despite many not looking the part. Goblin children tend to start with thick heads of hair, though most lose it by adulthood. Facial hair is almost unheard of. Goblins barely keep track of family units, trading spouses and children frequently, and reproduce rapidly.





Goblin Gardener by Dan Frazier



Diet: Dominarian goblins will eat nearly anything. Having no real understanding of agriculture, they’re primarily carnivorous, but are entirely capable of surviving on a mixed diet. Goblins prefer to eat insects, but actively hunt larger game in order to ensure they have enough food to survive. Dominaria’s goblins will eat whatever they kill, including humans, elves, merfolk, and other goblins.





Goblin Hero by Pete Venters



Appearance: Dominarian goblins are generally much shorter than humans, with proportionally long arms and large heads. They have prominent noses and long, pointed ears that sweep back past the size of their heads. The majority have thick, green skin, but many have a red-orange hue. During the ice age, some goblins had more vibrant skin colors, such as deep purples or bright blues, but this is by no means normal. On occasion, Dominarian goblins can grow to sizes larger than humans, but this is usually by means of magical mutation. There is no known explanation for the Okk.





Goblin Lookout by Jim Nelson



Habitat: Dominarian goblins primarily live in mountain caverns, packing tremendous numbers of themselves into tight burrows. The goblins dig these caverns deep, and often extend them far past the mountains, allowing them to arrive at any location. In times of war, they connect these caverns to their trenches, granting them subterranean supply lines that are very difficult to interfere with. A few goblin tribes live in more varied environments, including much maligned marsh goblins, the large and cunning scarwood goblins, and the confusingly aquatic razorfin goblins.





Goblin Machinist by Doug Chaffee



Intelligence: Dominarian goblins are simultaneously known for being tremendously stupid and surprisingly brilliant, but the best word for both would be innovative. Goblins will attempt reckless and suicidal strategies in combat, engineering, and magic to the point that very few goblins ever live to see old age. The reward, though, is that a successful goblin invention far outshines anything that Dominaria’s other races are capable of. Goblins simultaneously have the best technological devices and the lowest overall tech level of any of Dominaria’s humanoids. Similarly, they have very few mages, all of which are immensely powerful. This strategy inhibits overall goblin development- education is non-existent, and minor successes are ignored in favor of major ones.





Goblin King by Ron Spears



Culture: Though each tribe of goblins functions slightly differently, goblin culture has many similarities throughout Dominaria. Goblin tribal leaders are called chiefs or kings, and they attain their rank by proving themselves to be the biggest, toughest goblin around. Leadership is attained by killing the previous leader, which means the position is usually attained by those who are arrogant and reckless, even for goblins. After the leader, political dynamics of goblins are chaotic enough to be inscrutable to outsiders, though once a purpose is determined, they throw themselves at it in terrifying unity. Dominarian goblins generally appear to be a male-dominated society, but this is less due to a power disparity and more due to their rapid reproduction rate. Female goblins usually start reproducing as early as possible and tend not to stop until they’re physically incapable. These elder females command respect and wield power within their mountain homes, but rarely leave it. There is nothing, ultimately, preventing a female goblin leader, but chastity for power is not a trade goblins willingly make.





Empty the Warrens by Mark Brill





Next week, we’ll take a closer look at a few of the known goblin tribes, Dominaria’s goblin subspecies, and the current state of goblin affairs.

