Anuheim Krurt Goblins

The hobgoblins known as the Krurt are the apex of the goblin species, a faction wielding power and influence that spans across the different goblin tribes. Unlike their kin, the Krurt hobgoblins have leveraged their cunning and strength to become a banking cartel of sorts, using their wealth and influence to maintain control over the various goblin factions without directly ruling them. Their belief that they are the rulers of their race shapes their every action, and their desire to remain at the top is the driving force behind their complex and often brutal society.

Origins and Tribal Dynamics

The Krurt, like other goblins, originally emerged from the swamps, growing out of the ground over the span of millions of years. However, unlike their kin, the Krurt carved out a life of dominance and subjugation. They migrated into their mostly underground city of Gnibkezz (the 'g' is silent), and from there, they established themselves as the controlling force behind many goblin factions.

The Krurt see the other goblin tribes as pawns, useful tools to accumulate more power and wealth. They view themselves as the apex of the goblin species, and their actions reflect this belief. They reward tribes that remain loyal to them and swiftly remove those that challenge their authority. The swamp goblins, or Murklins, are seen as mysterious but weak, except for their knowledge of bralm (fungal magic), which the Krurt respect. The mountain goblins, or Grimgobs, are regarded as useful brutes, while the forest goblins, or Skragglins, are respected for their assassins and atzur (spider) breeders, though still considered inferior overall.

The Krurt maintain their power by keeping other hobgoblin chiefs in control, allowing them to act as intermediaries while the Krurt themselves pull the strings. They view their position as divine, positioning themselves as the superior rulers to their race. As long as goblin tribes pay their tithe and serve the Krurt, they are treated favorably—by goblin standards.

Appearance and Physical Traits

The Krurt are among the largest and most intelligent hobgoblins. They stand upright more often than other goblins, though they retain a distinct hunch. Their skin is pale, reflecting the majority of their time spent underground in Gnibkezz. They are lean, with wiry muscles, built more for intelligence and cunning than brute force. Unlike their goblin kin, they have a presence that conveys a sense of authority and superiority, even if their physical stature is still modest by non-goblin standards.

Physically, they stand around four feet tall, with an average lifespan of about sixty years, though most do not live to old age, often falling victim to power struggles and coups. Their skin’s paleness is a symbol of their life underground, far from the harsh sun that toughens their goblin cousins.

Social Structure and Customs

The Krurt maintain a rigid hierarchy, with hobgoblins at the top. They do not use the lower goblin classes extensively, preferring instead to hire the best warriors and assassins from other tribes for protection. Their society values status above all else, and goblins are judged by their rank, subservience, and ability to navigate the dangerous waters of Krurt politics.

Elders are rare among the Krurt, as goblins who grow weak due to age are swiftly removed from power. The more cunning elders step down voluntarily, but most are eliminated through violence. Boredom and displeasure are often expressed through abuse of underlings, fighting, or other violent acts, while happiness is conveyed through guttural cheers, weapon-waving, and belching.

The Krurt's rites of passage are designed to solidify power and weed out the weak. The first rite takes place at adulthood, around 7 years old, where young hobgoblins are expected to manage the bazaar and lead raids on other territories. The second rite occurs around 20-25 years old, when hobgoblins are sent into the wilderness to survive for a year on their own. Many cheat, paying off goblin warriors from other tribes to protect them, but this deception is viewed as part of the challenge. Those who pass this rite are eligible to compete for the highest levels of power within the Krurt.

Death is not commemorated among the Krurt. Most die in internal power struggles, and their bodies are discarded without ceremony. Marriage is not a part of Krurt culture; relationships are opportunistic, often monogamous but not based on love or devotion.

Festivals and Beliefs

The Krurt, like other goblin tribes, celebrate the Summer Solstice as their major festival, though the event is more a show of power than true reverence. Their leader pretends to represent their supposed god, Alk, and the festival becomes an elaborate display of control and dominance. Feasting, intimidation, and the showcasing of wealth are central to the celebration.

Language and Communication

The Krurt speak the goblin guttural language of grunts, squeaks, and squeals but are more proficient than other goblins in speaking common. They have educated goblins who handle imports and exports with other races, ensuring their banking and influence extend beyond goblinkind. Their speech is often more articulate, with more syllables than typical goblin names, reflecting their higher status and education.

Among themselves, the Krurt use the greeting "Pruh" to mean either "friend" or "fight," depending on context. They also employ the honorific "Grish" before a name to denote superiority, a title usually reserved for the hobgoblins that lead the factions.

Outsiders and Interactions

The Krurt view other goblins as pawns and outsiders as tools to gain power. They are quick to attack or subjugate anyone they see as a threat or a potential advantage. They use other goblin factions to maintain their position and extract wealth, ensuring that no one tribe grows powerful enough to challenge them.

Animals are seen as nothing more than food or sport, and relationships within the tribe are solely based on power dynamics. Respect is a matter of survival—those who cannot hold their own are eliminated.

Conclusion

The Krurt hobgoblins are the self-proclaimed apex of the Tyrmur Goblins, using their intelligence, wealth, and manipulation to dominate the goblin world. They are driven by an insatiable need for power, considering themselves the superior rulers among their kind. Their society is ruthless, marked by complex power plays, brutal rites of passage, and an unwavering belief in their own superiority.

To understand the Krurt is to understand the pinnacle of goblin ambition—where strength, cunning, and treachery form the core of their existence, and every action serves the goal of retaining and expanding their control.