Goblins: They just don't get enough credit

I finished reading a wonderful middle grade book called Goblin Brothers Adventures by Lindsay Buroker. If you have young kids it is an entertaining read, good kid humor. I'll be reading the short stories to my daughter. After finishing it, I got to thinking about goblins. And I've been thinking a lot.

There is a ton of stuff out there about goblins. Role playing games, video games, movies, etc. For years, I was a dungeon master for D&D and the only thing I ever considered them to be was fodder for my players to mow down for easy prizes and experience. Only a threat when the odds were twenty to one. I mean think about it. Generally not very smart, they’re the size of a hobbit, usually lighter and their ugly and green and lack hygiene.

Several years ago, Blizzard started their Warcraft games and their second installment included Goblin engineer units that blew themselves up, and everything near them. That was kind of a new concept to me anyway. Goblins smart enough to be dangerous, but still stupid enough to get themselves killed, why didn't I think of that? Oh yeah, I was stuck in that world of goblin fodder still. Even the video game company, Blizzard, caught on with the idea of expanding on goblin by including them as a playable race for World of Warcraft: Cataclysm. Since I happen to have a subscription, I tried them out. I admit, I was never a goblin lover till then.

Then I read Lindsay's book and it's about a couple of goblins who are not only smarter than your average goblin, but smarter than a lot of the humans they encounter. And all they ever want to be are heroes. Another concept I really never considered! Goblin Heroes? What an amazing idea, even other characters in her book are shocked by such a crazy notion. The world needs more Goblin heroes, people. Can’t wait for your next goblin book Lindsay! Heck, I might have to write one myself one of these days.

I also know of another author I follow on twitter that has written about goblins, but I haven't read his book yet. It's on my to do list. I am now a goblin fan for life.

Tell me what you think about goblins roles in fantasy.