Worldbuilding: Myths of Draconiquity, Part I - The Goblin King

 

The Goblin King

Myths of Draconiquity, Part I

The origins of the archfey known as The Goblin King usually refer to his time as an old mage's servant. Some say the mage plucked him from the Fey Realm to do his bidding, while others claim that the mage created him; the very first of his species. Most storytellers will agree that the archfey was at first simply known as “Goblin”. The old mage would teach magic them magic to perform menial tasks. Eventually, "Goblin" outlived their use, and had to escape before the old mage used them as a component for some spell.  

Alone in the wild, "Goblin" often felt lonely and would play tricks on others to gain their attention, but he was always met with hostility. When his tricks almost cost him his life, "Goblin" opted to instead offer his services, like cleaning a room or the dishes, tending to a garden, or knitting a blanket; He would ask for goods in exchange, like being able to sleep in a hidden corner of the same house, or food to sustain himself. This approach was much more successful. When "Goblin" finished the last task he would perform for any individual, he would always ask for an article of clothing in return. 

After being in many households, Goblin felt like he wanted a family of his own. He used his knowledge of  his old master's magics and conjured three friends: a Goblin in his own image that he could play with, a Hobgoblin that was capable of defending them, and a Bugbear with many skills to help him go anywhere. These three friends would eventually become the patriarchs of their respective goblinoid lines; Many regard the Goblin King as the progenitor of all goblinkind for this reason.

Nobody is clear on how the Goblin King became an archfey and gained his title. Some speculate that he gains this status from the crown he wears, and anyone who steals it could gain the same. This speculation has led some to believe that the Goblin King is simply a title that is passed to the goblin that wears the crown.

Regardless of how he gained his power, the Goblin King is widely known as the protector of his kin. He dedicates himself to maintaining his position of power so that his goblins can fall back on him. He does this by making deals with others, tricking them if they break the rules of a deal. Sometimes he will court another archfey if the pairing would benefit his own.

For hundreds of years, goblins have found themselves moving from the Goblin King's realm into the civilized areas of the Material Plane. Nowadays, it is typical for goblins to come from families that have had nothing to do with their ancestral home in the Fey Realm. These modern goblins regard the Goblin King as a figure of myth.