The Goblin Hypothesis

[@ZenGenEXQ]

World of Warcraft goblins are one of my favorite depictions of goblins. They were enslaved by trolls and forced to mine ore. But the ore they were mining had magic properties that expanded their minds and made them smarter and basically transformed their society into an industrial age. They are still wild little creatures but now they can build bombs and zeppelins, I love it.

[@Maxcharm22]

Time is money, friend!

[@CrizzyEyes]

Just don't compare them to the CEO.

[@cooki3th1ef]

@@Maxcharm22quickly QUICKLY

[@Mazed927]

I like the Guild Wars 2 goblins as well. Not the Asura. They're short and funny eared, but too clean and too intellectual. No, I mean the Sylvari. You might say they're more like elves, but considering their earthy closeness to nature and appreciation for the messier aspects of it, their tendency to come in shades of green and other earth tones (being literal plant people), their unsophisticated and somewhat childlike social outlook, and (decade-old spoiler warning) the fact that they were spawned into existence in part by an evil entity and intended to serve as minions, you got yourselves some fine goblin folk. A little taller, but then again, aren't most of us?

[@haphazodus]

My Favourite thing about Wow Goblins is their engineering. Comparing it to the gnomish engineers. Gnomes will have an idea and build a machine to do said task. Goblins will build a machine and whatever that machine does when they turn it on is what it was always meant to do. Gnomes force their engineering to be exactly something, sometimes to their great frustration. Goblins will abandon what they want to what they have and are more or less happy with any result.

[@HiddenDragon555]

A goblin can be friendly, but a goblin should always be at least a little gross

[@WretchedRedoran]

Ugly elves, after all

[@NoisqueVoaProduction]

In Harry Potter, Dobby is considered an Elf, but I think he would fit better in the Good Goblin archetype.

[@NoisqueVoaProduction]

Harry Potter franchise also has a very different depiction of a dwarf in my opinion, looks like a small elf because of the ears. If you were to give me 2 pictures with Dobby and a dwarf and asked to name the creatures, I would never guess correctly.

[@bbutler3230]

I find that goblins don't have to be evil, but they do have to be nasty.

[@NekoNinja13]

would you say that the typical person is atleast "a little gross"

[@JonoSSD]

_"Do you think you could beat a goblin in a fight?"_ How big of a goblin are we talking? lol

[@mr.outlaw231]

A goblin-sized goblin.

[@tiberiusdawn2042]

The goblin slayer tier

[@alexandertiberius1098]

Can I use guns? Because then the answer is the same as the bear thing.

[@nuggetospaghetto]

Dror Ragzlin, known far and wide... for... uh... great glory!

[@EduardoRodriguez-tu8nf]

@@alexandertiberius1098no guns, fight like a real man Lol.

[@F41nt13]

Goblins are weak alone but strong in numbers. Goblins are not good or evil, but chaotic. Goblins are the social pressure from your friends to do something stupid. If one of your friend asks "hey, do you wanna steal that traffic sign?" You say no. When a group of friends pressure you, then dance around said stollen sign, it's goblin mode. Goblins are our insanity let lose by our companions

[@owlobsidian6965]

But stealing (and tampering with a traffic sign could lead to an accident and harm) is unlawful, immoral, thus evil. I don't really agree with making chaos distinct from evil. Goblins are evil. They are typically depicted as greedy, selfish, violent, conniving, and deceitful. Those are not positive attributes.

[@prosamis]

By this definition, even Saint Augustine went goblin mode in his youth

[@tyleralan1470]

Goblins in mind are in my mind thefty lillte shits

[@justsomejerseydevilwithint4606]

0:04 One goblin? Absolutely. Goblins in their usual numbers? Probably not...

[@tomasztomaszewski7467]

Studies show that 80% of americans think they could beat a goblin in a fight

[@marioxzzz]

Goblin Slayer flashbacks.....

[@hypermaeonyx4969]

Pray to whatever god you know that they are not of the Goblin Slayer variety.

[@Ryanowning]

As a reminder that nobody needs, the "typical numbers" for Goblins is Yes.

[@collinoswald2916]

Came here to say this. One goblin isn't the monster, in the way that one cyclops or minotaur might be the monster in other stories. In stories about goblins, the monster is *many goblins*. Like a flock of birds, it's a singular from a plural.

[@Shovelchicken]

I always got the impression that goblins were supposed to represent unruly children, or maybe even children with no parents to teach them how to behave. A lot of their stereotypical behaviors are very similar to things kids do. Pranks, getting all muddy and gross from playing outside, jibbering and jabbering as they continue to develop their language skills, the occasional streak of cruelty... being small... Maybe peoples fascination with goblins is a yearning to be able to go back to that childhood wildness, to be able to run around getting into mischief without consequence.

[@hamishfox]

Yes, absolutely agree. I was thinking this the whole video. Goblins are just monster children.

[@jakecorvus1451]

Yeah, I was thinking this too. Dirty, destructive, messy...

[@the-tum-tum-tree]

In Swedish folklore. it's was believed that particularly unruly or misbehaving children could end up as Duane’s ( the Swedish version of a goblin)

[@wadespencer3623]

That's actually KIND of the idea I went for for my own goblins when I wrote stuff. Goblins are seen as childish to others, with a generally freespirited, silly, impulsive vibe. In the society they live in, they're actually all technically property of the government and uses as agents directly under the empire, acting as tax collectors (which includes picking up more goblins, because they leave their children with humans, wrapped up in a massive amount of illusion that makes whoever picks them up think that they are a normal child long enough for the goblin to start growing up faster than a normal human and be useful way earlier, at which point most people just shrug their shoulders and pretend that the goblin is a normal kid) and "advisors" to local governors who of course are reporting back to the emperor. This was probably self-indulgent but I thought it was fun.

[@mrscreenwatcher]

For me, Goblins have always been a “What if I genuinely didn’t give a shit about society’s rules, and lived without shame, truly free of any and every rule or attempt to control or suppress me” sort of escape/power fantasy. I relate to them because I generally follow the rules, I feel ashamed to act too ‘weird’ in public (In front of friends and family though I am a goblin among other goblins ofcourse). The Goblin represents the other voice, not the devil on the shoulder per se, but where one voice says to just walk away from a stressful person, the other voice asks “Wouldn’t it be funny if we could pull some kind of cruel prank on them just to make them upset like they made you upset?” And, like the un-goblin and rational adult I am, I Agree, it would be funny, but it would also be wrong and I have happier things to put my energy towards. It’s not an evil or inhuman voice, but it’s a more chaotic and sometimes darker and uglier, sometimes selfish version of my self, but it’s still one side of the whole me. And as much as I often disagree with my inner goblin and deny it’s impulses, I embrace him when I laugh and play and joke and prank my loved ones, and show them my shiny rocks and trinkets, and I let him make me feel happy and free until it’s time to not be a goblin anymore, which thankfully not very often as I now prioritize living and loving life rather than working and being miserable.

[@kevinmorgan2968]

Of course Quinn would kick the goblin. I’ve watched the man’s videos for years, and even though he has a sensitive and developed mind, there are very few people who have more ‘stomp the surprise goblin’ energy.

[@generaljedi8691]

Got 10 seconds into the video and had to stop when I hear Quinn's Ideas say He'd kick the shit out of a goblin XD

[@I.Simmonds]

Yeah, Quinn great sci Fi book reviewer

[@irishalchemy]

I used to love his stuff back when I was really into ASOIAF, it's great to see he's still a quality creator!

[@thesteelsquid863]

Goblin vs goblin stompers

[@arcticpossi_schw1siantuntija42]

He's also the goblinest goblin among youtubers

[@piewar3076]

I feel like goblins live in the same area of my mind as pirates.

[@BestFootFoward]

Perfect way to look at them (mostly because people don't realize the hell of traveling by ship)

[@khdo12346]

So you would say you have Mind Goblin?

[@Kokorocodon]

@@khdo12346 What's a mind goblin?

[@vlonghi3066]

@@Kokorocodon ...

[@Kokorocodon]

@@vlonghi3066 😐 what is it, bro?

[@PossumReviews]

The word "goblin" was originally an umbrella term for any sort of magical humanoid creature- similar to "fairy" or "gnome"- up until George MacDonald wrote _The Princess and the Goblin_ (1872). In that novel, the terms "goblin", "gnome", and "kobold" were used interchangeably for a race of ugly and malicious little people who lived underground. This was the inspiration for the goblins/orcs of Tolkien's writings which solidified the modern conception of goblins we have today.

[@soggycracker5934]

I just love that people today try to make it racist/antisemetic. Yeah. The creature that exists in the lore of many societies around the world, usually PRE-EXISTING contect with jews... It's just a perfect representation of the self/vicarious victimisation.

[@lrobin-is8dg]

Thank you for that fact PossumReviews

[@bencekrepuska1735]

But one question remains... Why the goblin turned on the stove?

[@WaitingToBeAGhost]

What are you doing here?

[@8itesize]

Don't forget about Beowulf also being the first european writing to include "orcs" and "elves" being counterparts, which also heavily inspired Goblins and the Orcs of Tolkien and today.

[@justusb.plorer8773]

Me before the video: "All right, he's officially lost it." Me after the video: "Tell me more, enlightened one."

[@nick3xtremegaming212]

Fr.

[@TDenterpriser]

You say that now but just wait to you have your top war chief betray you in shadow of war lol

[@luciusrex]

fr? i thought this wasted 20min of my life i cant get back, he didnt even answer the question he posed, why are goblins so enduring. so no, just bc of fancy video clips? what a low bar for enlightenment.

[@justusb.plorer8773]

@@luciusrex Know any good party tricks?

[@choboibigly6565]

@@luciusrex He did? They're so enduring because they represent a grosser and less inhibited part of the human experience. How did you miss this?

[@dennis_duran]

You had me at “a collective mental portrait of the contemporary goblin”

[@anagatto66]

“If I was friends with a goblin for a really long time and I was like ‘could you help me move this weekend’ and he was like: ‘yeah I’ll be there I promise’, I would like to think that I could trust him”. is one hell of a sentence

[@ShatteredAutomaton]

As a DM and long time goblin lover i feel that there is only a couple situations you'll see one goblin alone. 1: that lone goblin is bait and there are at least 10 more waiting in the bushes. 2: that lone goblin is Styx, in which case you will actually never see him.

[@Alpharius216]

finally someone else who knows of styx, but yes prepare to die from any direction

[@hawawah8671]

I treat goblins like baboons. No I will not explain.

[@Aloysius2113]

unless i am playing as Styx and *everyone* seems to see and instantly kill me,

[@BetaSolution]

I have a third: The goblin was the sole survivor of their cave being raided by the Goblin Slayer and is currently actively putting as much distance between itself and the slayer.

[@jasonblalock4429]

Or 4 - Jim C. Hines' "Goblin Quest" series about a Goblin who becomes a Hero largely against his will, although it does start off as a variant on #3.

[@pipolwes000]

No, orcs do not have a tipping culture, but they're very keen on making sure their boss compensates them fairly for their labor.

[@jtyranus]

The orc wars began with a labor dispute.

[@DrFranklynAnderson]

I’m more impressed that there are orc bakers. _Someone_ had to make that bread that the Uruks have been eating…

[@swedneck]

i now desire a fantasy setting where orc honour drives them to be turbosocialists and spearhead unions and revolutions the world over, much to the chagrin of all the powerful people in the world, leading to their oppression. with a key plot point being that they've managed to organize and defend enough to pull an orsinium, and the world's rulers are absolutely shitting themselves in fear

[@gottagofastest]

Even orcs know its cucked to not unionize

[@enter1323]

@@swedneck Play arcanum, the orcs are common as workers in factories but they dont have the same rights as humans, dwarves or gnomes. A half-orc revolutionary figure, Donn Throgg, is fighting for their rights in the game.

[@LemonadeGoddess]

Time to go full goblin mode

[@nopjhg]

Oh no it's goblin time

[@AlexanderRed-xo7nm]

Goblin deez nutz

[@FatManWithNoPlans]

Nyek.

[@Luigimaestro]

Nibble

[@crocowithaglocko5876]

Nyeh heh heh

[@scruffles3838]

Not only did he source all the clips, he also sourced all the bgm. What a absolute fuckin legend

[@ate_my_wheaties]

As someone who was homeless for a while, I have a certain fondness for goblins, and I think I’d be predisposed to gain their trust and friendship. I slept outside in the dark and scary places others avoided, I ate the things others threw away. Hell, I thrived on the trash society produces. I carried everything I own in a backpack and was ecstatic on the few occasions I found a safe, hidden place to stow my possessions. I spent much of my time in cities down on the ground, making grating music and heckling the common folk, who mostly saw me as some kind of dirty little rascal. I thoroughly enjoyed trespassing abandoned places. I mean, the list goes on. I feel more connected to goblins than any other fantasy creature, I think. A goblin wouldn’t scare me, it would excite me. I’d ask what they’re up to, if they need anything, and if I was feeling particularly intrepid, I just might end up an accomplice in their next scheme (granted no one gets harmed).

[@jazermano]

That story really clicks... I think I get it a bit more now. Thanks for... having your life, I suppose.

[@daniboy2619]

The Hobo Hypothesis

[@carnivorn]

the best and most gobliny of schemes are the ones that are nefarious, mischievous, and entirely harmless! been there as well, and goblins are a perennial favorite

[@marsh346]

you are not him. whomever you think yourself to be, you are not the guy.

[@Star-pl1xs]

@@marsh346 huh

[@AZALI00013]

raccoons and goblins have a good amount in common if raccoons just had like opposable thumbs I feel like humanity would be in trouble

[@iivin4233]

Crows are the true goblins. They adopted a new appearance to throw us off their trail. I think a racoon would make a fair trade. I think a crow would sell me a car with rusted out frame.

[@Brianna-eo8nu]

I was just thinking about how in an anthro animal setting, Raccoons fill a similar niche to Goblins. Raccoons aren’t as strong or powerful as bigger creatures like lions or bears, but can pose a serious threat in numbers. Despite being mischievous and known for thievery, they aren’t as cunning as other animals associated with the trickster archetype like foxes, coyotes or cats. And they are generally associated with gross things like garbage and living near dirty places like cities. Yet despite these flaws, or maybe because of them, they are seen as endearing and relatable on a primal level.

[@somedude2454]

azali moment

[@MrAppyCow]

Hit that bell and subscribe

[@NekoNinja13]

@@iivin4233 maybe a crow that had a problem with you would do that, but a crow would never betray someone it has a pleasant relation with

[@femoman]

It is fascinating how goblins have gone from wily, funny little wannabe tricksters to feral horde monsters, right back to funny little wannabe tricksters, but sometimes in an almost friendly kind of way. Like how an archetypal DnD party member now is the 'adopted goblin mascot'.

[@MO0NG00N]

It’s legitimately so validating to hear that the “Meats back on the menu boys!” line blew someone else’s mind as a kid like it did for me

[@EmelieWaldken]

It humanized them. It showed they have a everyday life, problems, desires, they can be tired and want something more - even if it's just meat in their bellies.

[@HermitTcrab]

It was so out of place in the LOTR world, and I loved it! 😂

[@brain_snakes]

@@HermitTcrab I really like the aesthetic of goblins, living in a medieval high fantasy world, have an anachronistically early 1900s blue collar working man demeanor and way of speaking.

[@taleladar]

@@EmelieWaldken Not so sure if blatant cannibalism is humanizing.... 🤣

[@kiranreilly4916]

@@taleladar Why not? Humans cannibalize each other in real life.

[@AphidKirby]

"Goblins represent the human nature we repress" is a spectacular conjecture! Great video!

[@fang4223]

as they said, a lot of fantasy creatures were born of some form of innate fear.

[@Zarkonem]

I played a goblin in a D&D campaign. His name was Gloggo. Gloggo was fun. In a previous game, i played a paladin and he got a "goblin crown" that allowed him to give commands all of the goblins and orcs he came across that they magically had to abide by no matter what. He made all the goblins and orcs be compelled to have to help other humanoid races and have to earn their "shinies". We played the next game in the same setting and Gloggo was one such goblin. Gloggo was a rogue and he was simple. He helped people as was his command from the goblin king by joining adventuring groups and doing "the poke poke". That is to say, he was a murder hobo that helped adventurers kill things. He was chaotic, silly and didn't remember anyone's names because they were a means to an end for him. Then one day he got a new magical sword. Unbeknownst to Gloggo, this was a luck blade and he said at some point, frustrated at how dumb he was, "Me wish me was smart like you guys." The luck blade granted him his wish and his voice dropped several octaves as reality kicked him in the pants like a football player doing a field goal. He all of a sudden knew things he had never considered. His name was a mockery, the previous adventuring group named him "Gloggo" as a portmanteau of goblin and doggo, because they treated him like their pet dog. He was mortified at how stupid he was and how demeaning his life had been and the realization of how everything actually worked made him loathe himself. He spiraled into a deep depression and desired to become a human some how so that maybe his life would have some sort of worth, that for once in his miserable existence, he would be desirable and not just someones little green tool. He ended up not achieving this goal in the long run. He had acquired a vast amount of wealth and a magical inter-dimensional mansion that would conjure anything you like. By his previous goblin standards, where the goblin with the most shinies was the best goblin, he was the greatest goblin in all of history. And yet none of this made him happy. At the end of the campaign, he retreated into his mansion that could conjure anything he wanted and disappeared from reality.

[@talenrothwell3407]

Jesus that's depressing

[@dankachilles9356]

Fuck yeah 😂

[@Endless-fire]

Flowers for Algernon.

[@K98MauserBYF43]

Well damn

[@danielsurvivor1372]

Jesus, ermmm, kudos for not chickening out of bad end?

[@ccjesper]

I think if you couldn't reliably beat an angry dog in a fight you can't consider yourself goblin-proof

[@joeljoshyjoeljoshy7823]

More like a little brother or sister

[@Delfigamer1]

Is the dog a hand-held or a giant bulldog?

[@Oinker-Sploinker]

A goblin is pretty much a baboon, an animal that can and will mess you up fr, I doubt the average joe can beat one (I know they aren’t real and they can be weaker than a fly or stronger than Godzilla depending on who’s writing them but shhh)

[@BellBOYd128]

“I used to joke that he had been exiled for being too smart. Now I know why he never laughed.” That’s my favorite Goblin relevant quote. When I first read that, and I saw the shockingly somber art, and that there was a Goblin story which differed from “step three: find another cousin,” “the goblins, because it was shiny,” or “hup two three four don’t know how to count no more…” I was honestly awestruck with just a smidge of tears. To me Goblins are not green, even though they are in fact green. To me, Goblins are RED “We are goblin kind, heirs to the mountain empires of chieftains past. Rest is death to us, and arson is our call to war.”

[@ReaGool09]

I didn't recognize the quotes, but when you said goblins are red, I immediately thought of mtg! One of my dad's favorite (standard) decks was a red goblin deck

[@skynyrdjesus]

Whoever wrote "Time for the smash smash song" should get a splinter in their thumb every time they touch a pencil.

[@kingofdefense]

I feel like the word "menu" was used more as a replacement of the word "diet" by that orc. I do think a soldier who has only ever eaten rations would not meaningfully distinguish between a prescriptive and a descriptive list of food options.

[@petrfedor1851]

Czech translation use word "jídelníček" which could be used for both menu and diet.

[@ZonamaPrime]

I know this is the biggest LOTR meme issue over literally nothing. The Orcs weren't speaking English, they weren't even speaking Westron. It's just a translation.

[@dopedagoth1789]

Goblins, orcs, uruk hai, they all have cultures and societies Its not a far stretch that they know what a menu is If they wouldnt have it themselves theyre intelligent enough to understand the concept at least Theyre not all soldiers, they also have actual jobs, you just see most of them as soldiers in the film, but Mordor and Isengard especially are very industrialised societies that needs workers to function Theyre not just hordes of warriors, they create goods, conduct in trade and diplomacy I think the idea of a goblin real estate agent in mordor is incredibly funny, though unlikely

[@andrewmalinowski6673]

​@@dopedagoth1789This makes me think of the song "Where there's a Whip, There's a Way" from the Rankin-Bass animated version of "The Return of the King" in which two lines are; "we don't want to go to war today, but the lord of the lash says nay, nay, nay" and "we are the slaves of the Dark Lord's war" that prove they're more than just workers or warriors. In the video the soldiers describe themselves as 'orcs' and there's a scene when the Orcs come to a section of road and are stopped by Men, both stating they have a battalion to move across the other's road

[@dopedagoth1789]

@@andrewmalinowski6673 man, ive had this movie on my phone for years, watching it whenever id have to wait without internet i never gave that song a second thought but as youve said this now i realise theres allot more to it than just movie flair

[@PaleoPalico]

I have been obsessed with goblins to an unnecesary degree recently, perfect timing

[@ivanoflavender9523]

Goblin time

[@Luigimaestro]

Goblin deez nuts

[@zenheadset7209]

there’s a necessary degree of goblin fixation?

[@snakesan7724]

DUDE ME TOO

[@caesiumtable-baron7314]

I've had a fixation on the term "ghoul," but it can be close, in a way. Perhaps a bit more pale, and lanky, or so.

[@Samanimates292]

17:51 “What one needs is to nap, scratch oneself, and eat 200 pretzels.” that is my favorite line of curious archive, EVER. close to “Behold, a featherless biped!” After showing a meercat

[@victorlonn7015]

Isn't it "Behold, a man!"?

[@Samanimates292]

@@victorlonn7015 oh yeah it is

[@Samanimates292]

@@victorlonn7015 oops

[@grandmasteryoda6717]

diogenes reference

[@echothegecko2875]

I thought it was a dead chicken with its feathers plucked?

[@jujufeirrieo2836]

1:52 The vital role Goblins fill in our society is to be the sort of mascots named John Goblikon of metal bands named Nekogoblikon thereby fulfilling our need for awesome goblin metal.

[@cosmicfrogwizard]

Goblins are like fantasy coyotes. Tricksters that you could probably take one on one but are not something you’d want to be surrounded by.

[@ressljs]

Goblins have the whole country of Zimbabwe gripped in fear. Even the police have fled from the terror brought on by goblins. So they must be worse than coyotes.

[@brain_snakes]

Also like a proper trickster, they can sometimes be benevolent, but don't count on it. And always maintain some healthy respect for how thoroughly one can fuck up your life if it wants to, even if you could kick it to death in a straight up fight (killing it would probably curse you anyways).

[@yeseima-niboro664]

This must be exactly what human beings are to most other animals

[@inquisitorinluzifera3406]

"That is not a goblin- that's David Bowey" cracked me up for some reason :,D

[@ikept_the_jethryk2421]

I always assumed that David Bowie was an elf or fairy that just fell into the Goblin King role through some moral failure, and was too vain to give it up

[@ethanharvey]

I always thought he'd been stolen as a kid, like Sarah's brother. Like that's just how goblins get their royalty. They're just smart enough to know they're not smart enough to rule, so they kidnap their future royalty from elsewhere.

[@ZeroNumerous]

@@ikept_the_jethryk2421 IIRC that's what's explained in the novelization. He's the Goblin King due to being one of the fae. His job is Goblin King, his race is fae.

[@deltatea3192]

There's a difference between David Bowey and a goblin? :D

[@kazzfuchsia1073]

I love how it’s not the actual character name Jareth but David Bowie.

[@clash_king1025]

To me, the main thing that separates goblins from other generic monsters is that they are a lot more humanized in terms of behavior and their usage of items. Compared to something like a Kobold or even a pixie I would say goblins tend to be more human like

[@hypermaeonyx4969]

@@clash_king1025 Goblin Slayer is a fine example of this, *unfortunately* 💀

[@SpitfiretheCat16]

Goblins are basically just monkeys wearing the skins of frogs.

[@SergioLeonardoCornejo]

Kobold waifus have an objection to your statement. Especially Polt.

[@imnimbusy2885]

And, also, they are real.

[@SergioLeonardoCornejo]

@@hypermaeonyx4969 you misunderstood Goblin Slayer if you think it portrayed goblins as similar to us. That or you really don't like humans. Which, unfortunately, makes you either self loathing or a threat to society.

[@varietywiarrior]

So... Where do the goblin shortstacks fit in this theory?

[@hypno5690]

Porn addiction fits in to the hedonistic aspect of being a gross little mean weirdo

[@scriminamp]

I know where I fit

[@CODENAMEDERPY]

Tale Foundry cursing is something I never thought I'd experience.

[@greenhydra10]

It's definitely... an interesting feeling.

[@ShadowReignhart]

Now I want to hear him curse as TaleBot...

[@IWearShoes31]

That was one is gonna stick with me lol just watched one of his videos and hearing him talking not in character and swearing was interesting

[@himynameis3664]

😂​@@greenhydra10

[@Mickwithanumber]

I think you overlooked a few things with this one. I think one reason a diminutive creature can be scary is scale of numbers. A goblin, mouse, or bird wouldn't really be frightening on its own, but when you look at the Moria scene, the movie the birds, or a plague tale, when an unthreatening creature hits a swarm of mass larger than ones self, a certain sense of severe threat manifests.

[@dopedagoth1789]

Idk man, a little green critter with a shank talking like hes from the london suburbs rummaging trough your trash in the middle of the night Im freaking out

[@AtheistIII]

@@dopedagoth1789 then you should stay away from London

[@Mickwithanumber]

​@dopedagoth1789 my knife would be a sword to it.

[@dopedagoth1789]

​@@Mickwithanumber great, he shanks you, now he has a sword!

[@andrewg6598]

This is what KZbin means to me. Questions, investigations, knowledge sharing. You had me at “After Man” and I’m so glad to hear you’ve gotten a bigger audience.

[@SirAwesomeVille]

This man has turned excessive, obsessive, overthinking into cohesive entertainment. I respect it.

[@ryantannar5301]

It may not be the most accurate to tradition, but the depiction of goblins in Warhammer (fantasy but also the gretchin in 40k are just scifi goblins) will forever be my favorite.

[@AtomicF0x]

I've always had an appreciation for things deemed "lesser", "inferior", or otherwise unpopular. Goblins are certainly no exception. I like to look at them and think, "How could I help a creature like a goblin reach their full potential? What's the pinnacle of their intellect and resourcefulness?" It's why I played goblins in Battle for Middle Earth 2, and it's why I went full Imp build in WoW Classic for my warlock, just to name a couple examples. I also just like the grungy, imperfect, cozy vibe I get when I see their average places of dwelling. Caves, crevices, ruins, makeshift huts and shanties, I love them all. Especially if they're in swamps or desolate landscapes. I also like the idea of fortifying dilapidated places and making them as strong and livable as possible whilst retaining their rundown aesthetic and appearance.

[@Snord01]

Heck yeah! we vouch for the underdog! the free and unruly!

[@4stringjoe2]

I love early MTG's depiction of Goblins. Just crazy little arsonists who will gladly blow themselves up to cause chaos...

[@dragong33k]

that's me

[@justinjacobs1501]

This is how I play goblins in dnd. Fire and explosives all the way.

[@Carlos-bz5oo]

What about the more complex cultures like Lorwynn's boggarts?

[@DefinatelyNotAI]

That's Sauruman's handiwork. Mixing Orcs and Floridians.

[@SlimyPancake]

"We are goblinkind, heirs to the mountain empires of chieftains past. Rest is death to us, and arson is our call to war"

[@nomad8690]

"Do you think you can beat a goblin in a fight?" "If they were to attack in a hoarde, they might give me a little trouble. But would I Iose? Nah I'd win."

[@jtyranus]

Domain expansion: goblin lair.

[@sephikong8323]

Throughout Faerun and Tamriel, I alone am the Goblin Slayer

[@SecludedDaoist]

I haven't had to use my goblin fighting technique since the Henin era

Well, my only weakness... I'm weak!

[@yujiandou4658]

“You did great Goblin Slayer. I will never forget you for as long as I live.” ~ Gobluna

[@soasertsus]

I think part of the mass appeal of goblins is that they're a very proletarian monster. They're almost exclusively depicted as downtrodden minions and workers, they're never the big bad themselves. In contrast to a monster like the vampire which is a very heavily aristocratic monster, not just in depiction but also metaphorically. It makes sense that both monsters have had a resurgence of popularity if you consider the condition of modern capitalism we live under. The vampire is bourgeois exploitation laid bare, sucking dry the blood of its victims to gain power, enslaving thralls to its will, but it also has an allure, it's usually attractive, wealthy, powerful and immortal. But in modern media vampires are more often depicted as objects of desire or forbidden love interests as opposed to goblins as a sort of relatable figure. Vampires aren't relatable, as a rule. No one openly calls themselves a vampire. But some part of them might still crave the alluring aspects of a vampire, would like to get bitten by the vampire and gain its power, even knowing it's morally wrong. If the vampire represents the forbidden pull of succumbing to the allure of the exploiter and becoming a bloodsucker yourself to gain the privileges of the wealthy aristocrat at the expense of innocent victims, the goblin represents the unwilling servant of evil who is perhaps complicit but non-consensually. The goblin is born into servitude and although they carry out the orders of the big bad they are also exploited themselves. But at the same time, the goblin has a sort of wildness and carefree hedonistic nature that lets it have some agency unlike a mindless servant. The goblin is relatable to the citizen living under modern capitalism, both downtrodden and exploited and the unwitting exploiter themselves, not necessarily malicious but still a cog in the machine of evil. The vampire is aspirational, the goblin is relatable.

[@ishill85]

one i think you should have considered; goblins=children. they're small, can be gross and tricksy, but are definitely not a threat except in large numbers when they become a force for madness and chaos.

[@hoppybirdy6967]

This would also validate the catharsis hypothesis as it would run along the same lines as "embracing one's inner child" except specifically not in a "I'm cute and just want to live an innocent life free from pain and worry" way or a "I want to be loved" way, but rather in a, "when I was 5, I ate dirt and was an absolute menace who only barely survived to adulthood because my caregivers managed to save me from the worst effects of my mischief against my will" kind of way. It also validates the love and wonder for little things and natural beings which are shunned by the adult human world for being "gross" or "pests", as little kids tend to give less of a crap about property damage and also tend to view living beings as rather sentient and therefore important. Also children themselves are often regarded as gross and improper and have often been sent the message that they are "better seen and not heard." Going "goblin mode" very much rebels against this treatment of children and asserts that children (or at least adults rediscovering their inner children) should get to explore these parts of themselves.

[@TunekSunevi]

@@hoppybirdy6967 Yeah, aren't we all overgrown children?

[@dopedagoth1789]

So are orcs then teens or grumpy adults?

[@President_Starscream]

In my head I equate children to goblins and often refer to them as such.

[@Kodaiva]

they would also fight like a child to surprise attack you would be second nature

[@theterminator546]

"The Goblin Hypothesis" is an amazing band name

[@ashuraomega1000]

Sounds like a conspiracy theory you'd hear on a random documentary surrounding cryptids

[@josephcrawley7622]

Nekrogoblikon was taken

[@Frognungun]

Sounds too much like the jewish question.

[@VikingKong.]

@Frognungun total gobbo death

[@Frognungun]

@@VikingKong. ?

[@electroeel148]

"Can you beat a goblin in a fight" "What kind of goblin are we talking here, a lone wanderer or a scout for a larger tribe. What are the total number of goblin footprints you have seen outside the village. Do you know if the tribe has a shaman present, if so they may have a hob or two. Are we unfortunate enough that a Goblin lord is leading this group of goblins."

[@_Sinduss]

"no fire, water or poison"

[@kristian1545]

If I'm reading this right, you shouød also ask "Is it covered in red paint?"

[@holgeradler707]

​@@_Sinduss its funny when elves try to be human in slaying goblins😅

[@Ookami_is_a_wolf]

Don't forget: "What weapons do we have?"

[@_Sinduss]

@@Ookami_is_a_wolf only a munchkin uses a magic sword against goblins.

[@_sea_pea_9500]

I’ve been drawing goblins since 2017 and it’s been cool seeing more people getting into the lil critters I’ve been fixated on drawing for so long. Cool vid man!

[@selthafour6948]

If a goblin hops out of my friends pocket and steals my ear, i would scream, lay down, and then cry. Thank you for coming to my ted-talk.

[@dangerousdays2052]

I would wonder why I'm having a lame psychotic break, instead of a cool one where my hands become infinite porkchops.

[@malum9478]

i'd just simply not let it steal my ear im built different

[@El_Goblin]

​@@malum9478 I'm gonna take both your ears

[@Desimere]

​@@malum9478 Are you a birb?

[@AkuTenshiiZero]

I never thought much of goblins, until I decided to play a goblin paladin in D&D. I wanted to play a character who struggled against his greedy, cowardly nature to become a hero. He turned out to be one of my most beloved characters. Ever since then, I've developed a fondness for goblins both good and evil, and an interest in the folklore behind them.

[@pietrayday9915]

I think Tolkien would approve: he struggled with himself on whether orcs/goblins were truly irredeemably evil - in his Christian philosophy, everyone in real life has the free will to choose to struggle against the worst parts of their nature to do better, and after writing about his goblins as the clear villains of his stories given to all sorts of human weaknesses - petty spite, cruelty, laziness, greed, ambition, cowardice, and all the rest - Tolkien began to wonder about whether, in a more perfect Middle Earth, the goblins wouldn't have chosen, when the could, to be better. It seems that Tolkien concluded that goblins very well could have had all the same potential to be as good and noble as any man, dwarf, or halfling, but for the intervention and temptation to evil by the likes of Sauron, by appealing to all the worst in goblins. There in goblins, but for the grace of God, goes anyone else in Middle Earth! The goblins would represent a tragic figure, then: they could have been simple farmers and fishermen and craftsmen and miners and all the rest of the things that the ordinary folk of Middle Earth would do on any good day when left alone in peace, but instead, Sauron tempts them, torments them, and leads them into misery and evil. You can see the barest of hints of this in Gollum, for example,who seems to have started his life as a creature much like a hobbit, until he came upon the ring and was corrupted by it... Frodo nearly succumbed to the same temptation, King Theoden seems to have meant well but was bitter and angry over his own personal tragedies, and eventually led into corruption by Grima Wormtongue... one can infer that the Dwarf and Elf kings were led into corruption by the rings that Sauron forged for them, and the Nazgul are the men who were corrupted by the rings Sauron had made for them. And then there's the underrated (but definitely imperfect!) 1970s animated version of the Return of the King, where Frodo and Sam encounter a band of orcs on the road into Mordor, and have to disguise themselves as orcs to avoid capture: in this adaptation, we see the orcs as rather pitiful creatures who don't want to go to war, but were forced to as Sauron's slaves, and feel that have no other choice but to do the evil things that Sauron commands. They're petty, vicious, and dangerous, but at the same time, it's hard not to sympathize with them: they don't WANT to be the story's villains, but have no other choice.... And it might be easy to miss at first, but Frodo and Sam, exhausted and beaten down by their struggle with the One Ring and trapped with the Orc slaves, very nearly end up being marched off to war right along with the orcs, saved only by some quick thinking from Sam! kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5W7gn2JaL6pZrs I don't remember how much of that was in the book - I think at least the song is, and am mostly sure the rest is too! But, that's a big theme later on in the "Scouring of the Shire" scene from the books (which unfortunately couldn't be included in the films): by the time Frodo and Sam make it home to the Shire, they find that Sauron's agents and armies have already discovered and invaded the Shire, and the Hobbits were nearly beaten down into slavery to Sauron like the Orcs, and Frodo's last challenge before the end of the story is to help drive the remnants of Sauron's forces out of the Shire and lead the hobbits back to freedom and peace. I think Tolkien died before he ever got to write in full the story of what happened to the goblins after Sauron was defeated - there are, I think, hints that the goblins "faded away" in time, but Tolkien never elaborated on this. One would like to think that maybe a few of those goblins, free to make better choices, redeemed themselves and learned not just to live in peace with the other peoples of Middle Earth, but also find the strength and courage and nobility to become heroes in their own right... no longer Sauron's orcs, but the best of goblin folk. (Tolkien suggested that before they were orcs, these goblins may have been creatures much like the elves, butsadly twisted and tempted and tortured into the monsters we know through centuries under Sauron's influence, but graceful and noble before their fall!) Anyway, I think the goblin paladin story sounds great: I've always imagined fantasy goblins as creatures who might find a heroic story a little more difficult to live up to than,say, elves might, but something that exceptional goblins could achieve through strong will, courage, and a little support and help from friends. Overcoming challenges like those that face Tolkien's orcs/goblins is the stuff that a heroic story is made from!

[@PunMasterSupreme]

That is an awesome character premise that I might have to use myself, lol

[@SetsunaKai5]

"I am goblin slayer" - Goblin Slayer

[@WhiteCaneV1]

noice!

[@poppers7317]

Are you a goblin?

[@BradChadley]

I like that Goblin Slayer subverts the whole "cannon fodder" video of goblins. They're genuinely scary in that show

[@realGBx64]

I prefer the Goblin’s Layer!

[@poppers7317]

@@realGBx64 is that like Interspecies Reviewers?

[@pucknorris3473]

I’m not even kidding. I had no idea this was a thing. But when my kids are running around in just a pull up and socks, I have been calling that goblin mode…

[@greedtheron8362]

I've seen a lot of conversations like this in relation to the rise of Goblin(and Orc) Rule 34 art. A lot of people point to warcraft being one of the first series to have playable, and less ugly, goblins to eventually go down that rabbit hole.

[@t84t748748t6]

rule 34 happens whit everything and goblins being represent as only male and using other females to reproduce speaks to a kink and i am probably reading te wrong kind of stuf but i come across a lot of where female goblins are hot smal woman ore just hot green woman's as hobgoblins

[@rythmiccoma2809]

"We are goblinkind. Heirs to the mountain empires of chieftains past. Rest is death to us, and arson is our call to war." - Goblin Chieftan, Magic The Gathering

[@PengusKhan]

Hup, two three four Dunno how to count no more!

[@marsphoenix1359]

@@PengusKhan Ah the duality of MTG Goblins; moments of insightful introspective philosophy mixed with wild mad stupidity.

[@nothing4mepls973]

"It's time for the Smash Smash song!" - Also Goblin Chieftain, somehow. Huge flavor text downgrade, shameful WOTC

[@jacrabit8983]

@@marsphoenix1359just like humans!

[@BCWasbrough]

"The goblins are in charge of maintenance? Why not just set it on fire now and call it a day?" -Whip Tongue, viashino technician

[@ivanoflavender9523]

Love how you break down concepts like dragons, aliens, goblins, and all kinds of fictional life into examinations of biology and humanity

[@freelancerthe2561]

All fiction humans know are of human creation.

[@The1FishFry]

15:23 if you tip below 20% they feed you to the wargs

[@cyprienramis1304]

It's not the Jackson films that decided that goblins would be the weaker ones, in the hobbit it's said that Orcs is the name for the tallest members of the goblin race.

[@s.johnson7298]

Aren't orcs corrupted elves?

[@cyprienramis1304]

@@s.johnson7298 Uruks are corrupted elves, and amongst them orcs are the big ones and goblins the weak ones basically, but they're the same race.

[@samueldimmock694]

No, it said that the word 'orc' is an elvish word, and in The Hobbit is usually translated as goblin (or hobgoblin for the larger varieties). But the point about goblins being the weaker ones still stands.

[@Diphyidae]

I'm a huge fan of the goblincore aesthetic. Mosses, lichens, frogs and mushrooms have a really unique beauty and are almost rare where finding them feels like succeeding in a treasure hunt. To me, goblincore is like a return to nature and natural curiosity, when we stop caring about societal expectations and return to caring about the small interesting things in nature and embrace our inner crow-brain where we collect things that are shiny. Goblincore is returning to those childhood moments, when you are first exploring the natural world, you think snakeskins or animal bones are the epitome of cool, and excitement is just finding the perfect stick to use as a sword.

[@TheGrippler09]

And listening to Nekrogoblikon

[@wadespencer3623]

I live in Oregon, so if I got to the right spot, mosses, lichens, and mushrooms are a given. Which is a bonus to me, places where moss grows on the ground feel like fae territory in general.

[@andrewmalinowski6673]

The idea of a "crow brain" seems less likely as they could be picky about what "shiny" thing they want to take. Otherwise I see the point of seeking to return to a more "mentally primitive" mindset of just looking for something pretty, disgusting, or cool because it catches your eye. I've always leaned more towards the idea of seeking beauty in the unconventional because it's not always what you expect, growing up with Disney films like "Beauty and the Beast" makes seeing beauty in the "ugly" almost interesting and brings up ideas of what a random moss or pebble could be used for

[@eeurr1306]

@@TheGrippler09 And I thought I was the only one laughing my ass of at this comment

[@EmmsReality]

Like cottage core but more gay and queer?

[@Unisaur64]

The last 50 seconds is just all the unused goblin clips that didn't make it into the video, and I really appreciate that.

[@GrunkleStan1908]

In German the Uruk-hai say „Speiseplan“ which - unlike „menu“ - is more like the order in which different chow is served like it would probably be in a stationary „Orc HQ“ if you will. That‘s why this scene doesn‘t feel like they‘re talking about restaurants in German. Mildly interesting I like to think

[@mildlycornfield]

Goblins can be whatever goblins want, I think, but they've gotta at least consider eating a worm if it looks appetising enough

[@nickorr7345]

It’s interesting how you can make a link between returning to monkey and goblin mode, one is a way to quietly reject the pressures of society and return to a more simple and enjoyable time and the other is an almost aggressive and observable show that someone is done with their responsibilities and burdens unfairly placed on them while still retaining the sentience of being a person.

[@DerpsWithWolves]

I have a favorite goblin I made for D&D. His name is Spag. First, you will hear the jingle-jangle, for Spag carries a bag of loot (trash) that's about twice as big as he is. It's more of a walking tent than a backpack. But, if you don't startle him with loud noises, he's also very keen to trade! The problem being that Spag doesn't really understand the concept of money, or 'value' as the other races might call it, and he already has some coins so he's not interested in getting any more. Why would he? He already has a few of each. But Spag would LOVE to trade your +3 adamantine sword for this really cool rock he found in the river! He has all kinds of random little unique items! Though, most likely, it'll be a very shiny spoon, or maybe a button from your own coat you didn't notice was missing. It also doesn't help that he has no concept of items being 'enchanted', or magic at all, for as far as Spag is concerned, some swords just light on fire, or do other inexplicable things, but it's just as strange when they don't, so he simply shrugs "It just does that" and moves on. Sometimes, if the party finds themselves deep in a dungeon, lost and bereft of healing items... They can hear the jingle-jangle in the distance, as Spag gracelessly falls down a flight of stairs... And they know that, at least, like... a half-empty healing potion might be something they can trade for? But only if they have something unique to offer for it. Like the pommel from their sword, a wine cork that tastes kind of funny, or a REALLY cool stick. I'm talking the kind of stick that you need to show the boys, because you knew they'd appreciate it. Because, to Spag... All things have value... If he thinks they're neat. Or food. You can easily bribe him with food. (I have not told the party that, and they somehow haven't figured it out yet, even when he has like 6 cooking pots. Are they even paying attention? Half the stuff he's tried to sell them is random cooking utensils!)

[@-Cupcake]

i have a goblin DnD character named Tweak and she is pretty much exactly like Spag >w< perhaps with the exception that she is an Artificer and makes useful stuff out of the stuff she picks up. that also makes her an expert on magic items... not that she wouldn't pick up a random rock if it looks neat or makes nice clacking nosies. i love a good chaotic goblin character... enough that i have made 3D models and animations of a few of them.

[@DerpsWithWolves]

@@-Cupcake Sounds like different multiverse versions of the same goblin lol

[@zephyrna6249]

In my DnD game one of the players is a Goblin paladin named Shitwip the Inquisitive, who is viciously devouted to his religious order, despite his order never even aproving him. And has no actual understanding of who his God is or what his religions tennants are. And with an Inteligence of 7 he will come up with the most idiotic, backwards logic to justify whatever terrible thing he is doing while fervently proclaiming that it's the moraly right thing to do.

[@AnonYmous-bb7tl]

In true goblin fashion, I am stealing Spag to use in my own campaign

[@DerpsWithWolves]

@@AnonYmous-bb7tl Spag is pleased.

[@canadam1983]

Today I learned that I've been a goblin for more than 20 years... A reclusive one I might add.

[@tepig2828]

I think part of the appeal of goblins is that the fall under the “ugly-cute” umbrella. They may seem ugly at first, but you can’t help but find it a little charming.

[@louiesloops]

OMG!! MY CROCHETED GOBLINS IN A CURIOUS ARCHIVE VIDEO!!?!? MY DREAMS COME TRUE!! Truly honored. 14:22 for reference. SO COOL!

[@lordzaboem]

Congrats

[@President_Starscream]

Oh my glob! They're adorable little creatures!

[@corphish8]

wait can i buy them

[@noteventherain]

Heck yeah!! Congrats :3

[@gregarmstrong1670]

Hey, wow, they're cool!

[@dionettaeon]

Now that you've got me thinking about it, goblins have been kind of like the personified rats or locusts of mythology. Individually or a small handful, they're more so a pest than a serious threat, but encounter a large swarm of them and you've got a potential crisis. Of course, they're also the archetypal underlings of more dangerous villains, often a labor class and/or expendable army. This is the first time I've heard the term "goblin mode", but I do like the idea that they've become their own symbol for embracing imperfection and not having to be "pretty" all the time.

[@mariecarie1]

I feel like the Ferengi from Star Trek are basically space goblins-smart enough to form societies and schemes, yet stupid enough to nonverbally telegraph their true intentions behind said scheme. They’re usually played for comedy in the show. They’re not above double-crossing people to achieve their end. Even when you’re watching for their antics, once in a while they still catch you off guard and can really f*ck up your day. They even have pointy teeth and huge ear-like things that makes them look goblin-like

[@feelinghealing3890]

I keep telling people that star trek is a fantasy show with all the races and magic replaced with species and tech and they dont believe me but I mean THE VULCANS HAVE POINTY EARS AND ARE ARROGANT AS FUCK, HOW ARE THEY **NOT** ELVES?

[@skynyrdjesus]

Ehhhhhhh, sorta? I mean, that's not what they were supposed to be, but yours is way more palatable, and frankly, goblins to some degree are also caricatures of jews in some contexts.

[@SadBlueGirl]

“Uh Tomar what would you do if you were walking with a friend in the uh middle of the night and uh a goblin came out of his pocket and stole your ear what would you do Tomar?”

[@toddhoward1498]

"Uhhh, I'd be upset I guess"

[@gamebird9354]

Has the same energy as "Tomar, if uh, if I put you in a meat grinder..."

[@jesusojeda7850]

It's all fun and games until he researches goblins in anime/manga.

[@magnolia1253]

Re:monster is a great example of this

[@NareshSinghOctagon]

Truly,the ones place where go ham extreme on either making them true monsters or house guests for delinquent students and former delinquent mother. Goddamn that comic needs to be updated already.

[@todo9633]

I think the answer as to why they're so prevalent in fiction can be as simple as "because they make for entertaining plot points", kinda like dragons.

[@juliopalacios7379]

The concept of going goblin mode was embodied by the philosopher Diogenes since ancient times. The freedom, power and sincerity of having nothing to lose and nothing really to gain. He was homeless, disgusting, hilarious and ingenious and is said to have dissed Alexander the Great to his face only to have him reply with “If I weren’t Alexander the Great I would like to be Diogenes. Very interesting story if you’re into this concept.

[@CDBURN]

Back when I was a teen, a friend of mine once referred to Goblins as his "spirit animal", and would often channel his goblin-ness through his discontent with work, authority, etc. Now many years later, I think where he must be in life, knowing that the world has in many ways opened its eyes to his mystic values.

[@konnykaze7965]

Don't forget the "S" in Goblin Slayer or you'll end up in a very different rabbit hole.

[@alexandertiberius1098]

Or a goblin hole.

[@mid-boss6461]

Instructions unclear. Peeled a goblin out of existence.

[@LovesickJo]

Assessment incorrect, both holes lead to the same cave.

[@Micsma]

Just layers upon laters of goblins, stacked one upon the other... It's goblins all the way down.

[@Micsma]

​@@alexandertiberius1098yes, several. Why?

[@Trrip000]

11:30 has me dying😂😂"Ah"

[@JokingThief]

Oh good it's not just me

[@Basilisk-147]

11:14 is brilliant too

[@wyrmworks6991]

Came here to comment this

[@emilyonearth5354]

I clicked off another video to click this because I had to know what a goblin hypothesis is

[@thehurricane6767]

I was half expecting this video to end with a "Goblin deez nuts" joke

[@diurtydantv8061]

I am not a gnelf, I am not a gnoblin. I'm a Gnome, and you've been Gnomed!

[@Stothehighest]

I hate that I read gnome and gnomed differently

[@Kuhmuhnistische_Partei]

Fun Fact: In LotR, "Gnome" was the original name for the Ñoldor, which are elves. The name comes from the ancient Greek word gnṓmē which means as much as "intelligence" or "reason".

[@Holammer]

A 20m video about Goblins with no mention of the new goblin hotness? The *thick* short stack kind.

[@maxtheawesome4255]

New? Always has been.

[@samarnadra]

My fairy RPG character tried to explain goblins to someone one time, and said "they are the fae that we fae don't want to admit are fae, mostly because they smell bad and mess up our parties." Like they very much just are fae with low charisma/poor social skills and bad hygiene. It was very much understood that if the one goblin around caused a problem, you still couldn't hurt her, because she was fae, and the fae would hurt you for hurting a fae. We didn't invite the goblin to our fancy events (not that she wanted to go), but we still were fiercely protective and we did invite her to our more debauched and raucous goings-on sometimes. We treated her as a weird cousin we didn't want to have to invite along places but she was still family, and just as intelligent as the average fae, she just didn't have great communication or judgement skills, more the judgement of the pixie and the communication of a human or orc barbarian). The one time she faced major repercussions from the fae was when she tried to do the goblin version of releasing Hexxus in the elven forest. We made it very clear to her that if she wants to remain one of the fae and under our protection, she can't summon pollution entities. That greatly colored my view of goblins I think. To me they are just a type of usually Unseelie-adjacent (they certainly aren't in the Court proper) fae who have bad hygiene and low charisma and bad PR, and many aren't very bright and need some help understanding the world. My characters aren't usually opposed to killing goblins who are a threat, because well they are usually a bit more to the CN sort of thing - you hurt me and mine, there are consequences, but she objects to killing goblins just because they are goblins and will often try to parley. Interestingly my fae D&D characters, while typically fairies or eladrin or the like, also lean heavily goblincore (at least at times).

[@The0Stroy]

15:28 Knowing Tolkien and his fascination with creating fictional languages - there certainly is orc literature in Dark Tongue. After all inscription on The One Ring is in it.

[@samuelgibson780]

Well in general, in fantasy settings, goblins can be powerful mystics, tinkers, and sages in their own way. Orcs as well, usually. In the Tolkien universe there were definitely goblin-kind who were very capable. I think it's easy to assume a lack of intelligence by the way they are usually characterized in conversation, even in LotR, but even in LotR their actions often enough subvert the expectation one might get from their speech. But I'm not LotR expert. Good stuff!

[@hexasquid]

Since it's mentioned, that the orcs are talking in the common tongue on the whole journey to Isengard, I always thought they're probably using a more fitting expression and "back on the menu" is just the closest English equivalent. (not that anyone was asking, but it goes like this: "To Pippin’s surprise he found that much of the talk was intelligible, many of the Orcs were using ordinary language. Apparently the members of two or three quite different tribes were present, and they could not understand one another’s orc-speech." the "back on the menu" like actually isn't in the books, in fact none of them even contain the word "menu" once...)

[@ashdog9235]

14:24 I think this is best seen with the gorgon more specifically Medusa. During the Greek Iron Age Medusa was depicted much more monstrous often featuring tusks, beards, and big noses with nostrils similar to pit organs. If we skip to late Roman writings of Ovid we get a clearly tragic figure who is depicted much more feminine.

[@SomethingAboutSashimi]

BTW Ovid had beef with the gods (especially Athena), so innocent Medusa × naughty Poseidon was essentially his fanfic. But if you want your powerful snake girlboss, i'm not gonna stop you

[@ashdog9235]

@@SomethingAboutSashimi You’re right Ovid was weird and it really feels like he just hated the gods. It also appears that he used the myths as a way to critique the Roman government. The girl boss version of Medusa has replaced the original in the popular conscious. Mf just horny smh.

[@Tingle57]

Fun fact! Another trickster spirit with a shared goblin heritage is the Kobold. Both come from the same root word from Greek along with gnomes and probably many more.

[@maxgrozema1093]

Kobolds and goblins are the same thing in my country. Gnomes however are considered something apart. Goblins are called 'the little earth men' that will tunnel into farmers fields, steal crops, maim animals (un)intentionally and have parties on said fields.

[@iXenox]

8:26 - I'd have to eat my left shoe.

[@Dylan-uf7uf]

I have been using the terms "Goblin Mode" and "Monkey Mode" interchangeably for years. I think it says a lot more about Goblins than any physical descriptions

[@pointyorb]

Maybe monkeys are the closest we have to real-life goblins

[@Dezturbed]

They appear to be a reference to the ever present, even if small, negative events and situations that occur throughout our daily lives. Simultaneously easily conquered and never ending. Unlike every other mythological creature who tends to represent a single issue or tragedy, Goblins are a reference to more generalised "small bad events" which makes them more unique in their form and function by comparison.

[@Dezturbed]

Due to them being a reference to smaller issues we end up with a more friendly relationship with them because we need to be tolerant of the miscellaneous negativity and bad situations that occur in life in order to be able to enjoy life for what it is.

[@ImSimmin]

i enjoyed the recent dr who episode about goblins because it followed this logic when a single major bad thing happens you blame something big like a dragon or a demon, but when youve been dealing with a series of unfortunate events, you may be being followed by goblins.

[@sunniedunbar6889]

“The Goblin Corps” by Ari Marmell did a fun job flipping tropes while sticking to the perceived nature you'd expect.

[@FreakinSatan]

I love how much John Golblikon shows up in this.

[@TheGreatDanish]

One thing I like to point out to my players in dnd is that goblins are considerably deadliest than you expect. They can kill the average person in one shot 75% of the time. 10 ac, 2 hp. They could kill you with their bare hands in two swings. They are not pushovers in lore. Its just every one engages them as super heroes destined to kill god.

[@swedneck]

honestly the same applies to us in real life, *most things* are honestly pretty dangerous, it's just that we're so used to being able to cheat with technology and having 50 lads to back us up. if you're dropped alone in the wilderness with nothing but food and shelter, taking on an angry rabbit suddenly doesn't seem very funny.

[@ShermTank7272]

"deadliest than you expect"? You mean "deadlier"

[@zytheabsolutenerd75]

@@ShermTank7272 please shower immediately

[@lozm4835]

It's something similar to the 'guns are super deadly' debate. People forget that we're represented by the commoner stat block.

[@zoyadulzura7490]

Agreed about this interpretation of goblins. That's one bit I couldn't get past in the video, saying that goblins are "failures at fighting".

[@LegendOfMoriad]

Will watch the video later, but love the oldschool Goblins from the animated version of The Hobbit

[@arlen7726]

Goblins as I see it are the highly adaptive little shits that could evolve to survive pretty much anywhere. There are a handful of species in nature that don’t necessarily seem aesthetically glamorous at first glance, aren’t particularly physically powerful relative to other species, but they are somehow able to adapt to potentially live in the whole gamut of different ecosystems without too drastically altering their existence. Goblins or ‘Goblinoids’ are the scuffed but oddly charming magical beings that touch something in people these days that’s a bit more feral, a bit more free, perhaps a bit more open-minded, and perhaps something with a little more humility of thought for humans’ place in the world. We’re still creatures at the end of the day, and even if we shouldn’t necessarily act like it, we do need to remember it.

[@benjaminthefox]

Goblins are raccoons, confirmed.

[@arlen7726]

@@benjaminthefox raccoon-crow-pigeon-rabbits

[@Chameleonradio]

We are all just litl crechurs.

[@ViewingChaos]

yeah, I do think it taps into some base human urges- the adaptability, hunting for shiny objects, the willingness to eat anything- even just once, the cunning and use of tools. Its everything other fantasy races do, but without any sort of glamour or pretense to it. Its more grounded and free of all the usual societial airs and graces tacked on top of survival

[@Ascended-18]

One goblin? Yeah, I could take it. Goblins in their usual chaotic horde? That’s a ‘maybe if I’m lucky and have a decent stick.

[@squirelmaster11]

14:57 "An orc disobeys orders, the lead Urukai beheads him and says- This is how you get doctor squatch 40% off"

[@jacobhand5874]

Bro left out the short stack goblin mommies

[@JB-84]

Vaush drooling

[@yosefyonin6824]

because he is not a motherless perv?

[@mojavefry2617]

@@JB-84 Shortstacks ain’t lolis, ye barmy or something? Shortstacks are actually developed for their height and, most importantly, are actually adults.

[@JB-84]

it's all sicko to me, I know nothing of the finer tastes and discernment in imaginary anthropomorphic pornography. I'm more a fan of boring vanilla, but to each their own. I only know the term short-stack because of the vaush livestream debacle, being a hater of his proclivities.

[@jacobhand5874]

@@JB-84 short shapely women are depraved?

[@Ohmega369]

Can’t wait for dwarves next

[@swisspikeman2400]

Rock and stone!

[@Ohmega369]

Rock and stone forever!

[@nuclearocean]

Well, you see, it's a metaphor for the workers of the most harsh working conditions, especially mines. They are people of the earth, simple, stout, strong and proud. The blue-collars of folklore so to say ROCK AND STONE TO THE BONE!

[@cerberusXII]

2:20 even censored it feels wrong to hear Tale Foundry swear

[@noahg6024]

"Watch out for Mind Goblins."

[@gammapunkgamingproductions6199]

Whats a mind goblin, Gricko?

[@noahg6024]

@@gammapunkgamingproductions6199 "MIND GOBLIN'DEEZNUTS! HA GOTTEM!"

[@synphilia4776]

@@gammapunkgamingproductions6199 **a single tear rolls down cheek**

[@rommdan2716]

​ It's uh... It's psionic...

[@geoffreyentwistle8176]

I don't know about id, but I feel like goblins are more like children - mildly sociopathic, with a lack of idea of when they're overreaching or sometimes even acting outside of what's expected of them. It would explain why they're very typically short, with spindlier limbs and larger heads... It might be about the somewhat uglier side of children, or maybe even was originally used to justify mental illness in children, like changelings might have been. Question - can someone think of something about goblins that definitively cannot be traced back to children?

[@alexandertiberius1098]

It really depends on the goblin. shapeshifting, moving furniture and soaking their caps in the blood of their victims are all things attributed to goblins that probably don't come from children.

[@somedummyonyoutube3362]

@@alexandertiberius1098 idk, I used to do that all the time

[@nathant6655]

green

[@gratuitouslurking8610]

Minus a certain internet craze around shortstacks, tho perhaps partly related, goblin virility perhaps could fall in here- buggers breed like rabbits, helping to explain why it feels like how a low level campaign is never a half-day's worth of travel from having to deal with a goblin den.

[@Chameleonradio]

There used to be far less of a line between goblins and elves--they're both weird little guys, its just a matter of perspective and what we find pretty. I personally love goblins. There's something about them that's very cathartic to play in D&D, for instance. Something about that childish wonder, love for shinies regardless of value, and fury that can bring even the tall low.

[@President_Starscream]

Pirate: Yarrrr, that little green bastard stole my skin. Goblin: Who's got your skin now, you dirty pirate?

[@Mae_Dastardly]

Troll: i miss my balls :c

[@JeraWolfe]

Congrats on the 1 million subscribers. When I first saw your name, I thought, AI, but the title was so compelling. And then I heard your writing, and your voice over, and knew it was quality. Subscribed that day. Keep up the GREAT content and see you on the next vid. Second viewing, showing a friend.

[@SirAwesomeVille]

I, personally think that finding out actual goblins were behind stealing our household items would definitely make life more exciting

[@RetroMagnus761]

Would make life more annoying

[@gorkok]

As a profesional hobgoblin and foam figther/LARPer casual, I feel obliged to answer the question about goblins. The thing is, Goblins and Orcs, represent the more dark aspects of our human psyche, kinda like a broken mirror. The vast majority of Orc players in a LARP either want to act unhinged or in a "strong unga bunga" kinda way. Actually, LARPing as a Orc (aside from the horrible heat) is one of the funniest experiences, since not only does the mask cover your face you're almost expected to act unhinged and cause havoc. To put an example, a orc ally I had once in war tried to kill me because he found my face "deeply concerning". But not all people are capable of the violence and brutality that comes implied with a orc. A orc is always viewed as a strong creature, capable of killing you in one brutal fit of rage. Not all people are capable to connect with this very violent inner self. However, people can easily empathize or connect with a small goblin that bases it's "power" upon trickery, upon being smarter, but not in a good way than you. A trickster so to say. We all do little goblin tricks in our day to day where we think we are smarter than anybody else, but very few of us have fits of violent rage that approach them to the Orc. And thus, the goblin archetype perdures. As a reflection of our mischiveous nature. A small evil we find comofortable. Mild tomfoolery.

[@makkerfelix]

I like burdening peasants with my devious little schemes

[@eigentlichtoll02]

This feels like LARP has an underlying scientific potential.

[@imatreebelieveme6094]

Considering how that goblin probably survived up until meeting me I'm not that sure I could beat it in a fight.

[@poppers7317]

You can beat up a child, do you? A goblin shouldn't be a lot different.

[@imatreebelieveme6094]

@@poppers7317 The average child hasn't gotten to 8 years old by shanking other children, wildlife and the occasional adult, though.

[@poppers7317]

@@imatreebelieveme6094 The average goblin doesn't even make it to one year old.

[@imatreebelieveme6094]

@@poppers7317 Still has more combat experience than me at 1 year old tho, and they're built for a scrap even though they're skinny

[@alabasterchimera]

Every culture needs to have someone that doesn't break societal norms because of some grand principle or reason, but just because it's healthy to kick the legs out from under the king once in a while to keep them humble. They're also a great representation of the 'sometimes, random crap happens' principle.