I’m rather fond of hobgoblins. In my mind, I see these mid-tier goblinoids as the Uruk-hai of Faerûn. Militaristic. Disciplined. Fearless. To me, the portrayal of hobgoblin vs. goblin is something akin to the Uruk-hai of Isengard vs. Mordor and Moria orcs. The former are larger in stature and operate as a disciplined fighting unit that marches with purpose toward their enemies. The latter are are smaller in stature, and little more than a chaotic rabble that belches forth from wherever they happen to be laying in wait.

Sure, goblins can fight. But hobgoblins are fighters. Through that lens, I like to portray my hobgoblins with the swagger of warriors who have trained with sword and board since the moment they had strength enough to hold either. They’d rather die than lose a fight.

But hobgoblins are also practical. Unlike, say, a marauding band of orcs, hobgoblins are more likely to subdue and subjugate those unfortunate enough to draw their notice. What would be the sense in killing farmers when they can be compelled to plant and harvest a tribe’s crops? What would be the sense in burning a farm to the ground when livestock can be housed in its barn and weapons can be repaired or crafted at its forge?

I’d like to think there’s at least one farmstead within a hex of Cragmaw Castle, and that it is under the yoke of Cragmaw rule. Which would be perfect for a daytime wilderness encounter.

Black smoke billows into the afternoon sky from the chimney of a small smithy situated between a ramshackle barn and a log farmhouse topped with a sod roof. The faint rhythmic ping of hammer on metal echoes across a patchwork of pasture and garden enclosed by split-rail fences.

If characters approach the farm, they are greeted by Abner Feldman, an old farmer who makes his disdain for trespassers loudly known. His starting attitude is hostile in any dealing with the characters.

However, a successful DC 12 Charisma (Insight) check is sufficient to detect the farmer is under emotional duress. A successful DC 12 Wisdom (Medicine) check spots a faint, yellowish hue on Abner’s right cheek – the last vestiges of a black eye.

Unbeknownst to the characters, Abner’s homestead is occupied by a 1d4+3 hobgoblins, who hold the family members of several homesteaders hostage in exchange for their obedience.

Half of the hobgoblins watch Abner’s encounter with the party from the barn, while the other half watch from the smithy. If the characters do not leave, the hobgoblins emerge from their buildings and attack.

If the hobgoblins rush out to engage characters in martial combat, anyone with a passive Wisdom (Perception) score of 11 or higher spots farmhands, women, and children fleeing the homestead from their distracted captors.

Let’s be mutuals over on Bluesky! If you’re interested, I’m @ticklecorn.bsky.social. I always follow back.

If you’d like to support my work, please consider checking out my supplements for Lost Mine of Phandelver and Dragon of Icespire Peak over on Dungeon Master’s Guild! All of my titles are Free/PWYW offerings.