Cultures In Review: Goblins, Hobgoblins, and Ogres

Handling classically "evil" races that have generally existed to be slaughtered by valiant PCs is always difficult. However, as I'm trying to make them viable PC races and cultures, which means that they can't just be classically evil and malevolent marauding bands of miscreants (yes, occasionally I write simply to amuse myself).

However, I do want them to fulfill their more traditional roles, which leaves me with having them been cast-out, exiled, and without a homeland, they are functionally refugees, filling in the gaps of other nations, living in ghettos and their own small clusters.

The fallen of Krenn wandering the Empire and surrounding nations, some looking to find a new homeland, others looking to just survive. While they all share similar personality traits being of the same culture, they are expressed differently.

Hobgoblins

Behaviors (5)

• Every year we remember what we have lost with those closest to us, Krenn and non-Krenn alike.
• We celebrate the victories that our people have wrought in these dark times.
• All debts and charities shall be remembered and repaid in kind.
• We are the Chosen to leads the Kren into the brighter future.
• [Player Chosen]

Archetypes (3)

• Mercenary Captain
• Destitute entrepreneur
• Political Mover and Shaker

Johari Traits (10)

• Able
• Assertive
• Clever
• Energetic
• Observant
• Organized
• Proud
• Sensible
• [Player Chosen]
• [Player Chosen]

Goblins

Behaviors (5)

• Every year we remember what we have lost with those closest to us, Krenn and non-Krenn alike.
• We celebrate the victories that our people have wrought in these dark times.
• A Pyrrhic victory is no victory at all, survival of the Krenn is the only true moral truth.
• We must live in the world that is, not what could be, or what was.
• [Player Chosen]

Archetypes (3)

• Shadowstalker
• Priest of the Old Gods
• Craven Lickspittle 

Johari Traits (10)

• Accepting
• Adaptable
• Clever
• Observant
• Patient
• Quiet
• Searching
• Sensible
• [Player Chosen]
• [Player Chosen]

Ogres

Behaviors (5)

• Every year we remember what we have lost with those closest to us, Krenn and non-Krenn alike.
• We celebrate the victories that our people have wrought in these dark times.
• If we sacrifice what we were, what will we become?
• Not confronting problems allows them to fester, and infect the community.
• [Player Chosen]

Archetypes (3)

• Linebreaker
• Neighborhood Mother
• Mason

Johari Traits (10)

• Bold
• Clever
• Dependable
• Energetic
• Giving
• Patient
• Powerful
• Sensible
• [Player Chosen]
• [Player Chosen]

Okay this I think is a workable solution for the goblin races of the Krenn. I'll probably sketch out history later at some point, but really, the point of this is for my players to go "Ooo, I want to play this, what do I need to do?" and not hand them 10 pages of notes regarding the history and interactions.

Cultures in Review: Elves

Where once there were three distinct races of elves, only one remains a viable population today, that's not to say there may not be a remote pocket of High Elves or Dark Elves, only the Wood Elves remain a viable force in the Eastern Nations, and even there, they are diffused over a wide territory and prone to infighting.

The Osani as they call themselves are a conglomerate of several different tribes of Wood Elves loosely bound together by family ties and agreements. There are five distinct major tribes of Wood Elves: Ashur, Hanisi, Kiya, Missun, and the Zan

The Osani, or Wood Elves,

Behaviors (5)

• Are honest to fault, preferring a direct conflict to deferential politeness.
• Honor the gods openly in public, and adorn with jewelry in their honor.
• Warriors earn their place only after leaving the tribes for a year and a day and returning to the tribe.
• "Me against my brother, me and my brother against my cousins, me and my cousins against the enemy."
• [Player Chosen]

Archetypes (3)

• The Unnamed
• Hedonistic Shaman
• Thief of the Flames

Johari Traits (10)

• Athletic
• Extroverted
• Confident
• Loving
• Religious
• Spiritual
• Idealistic
• Complex
• [Player Chosen]
• [Player Chosen]

Culture in Review: Dwarves

There are two distinct cultural grouping of dwarves current in existence. For sake of analysis we will call them "Northern" and "Southern" dwarves. The northern dwarven kingdom, Thale, has been assimilated by the Empire approximately 100 years ago, so the stories of what was still ring strong. The southern dwarven kingdom, Garne, stands free, but eyes the Empire of Dragons warily.

I've set up the following using Quinn's gameable culture idea, doing about 80% of the outlining, while leaving some space for the players, when I finally do run this game, to add flavor of their own to the cultures.

Thaleans, or the northern dwarves:

Behaviors (5)

• Maintain the Old Ways in the face of a changing world.
• Understand that personal relationships and favors are how the world truly works, no matter what the laws say on paper.
• Act in ways to maintain the dignity of the clan.
• Honor those who came before and lifted us to where we are today and lift those who follow us.
• [Player Chosen]

Archetypes (3)

• Soldier of the Line
• Apprentice Ritualist
• Traveling Merchant

Johari Traits (10)

• Spiritual
• Dignified
• Persistent
• Humble
• Helpful
• Insightful
• Caring
• Clever
• [Player Chosen]
• [Player Chosen]

Garnessians, or the southern dwarves,

Behaviors (5)

• Set aside personal need in order to follow the law.
• Know that how an object looks is of equal weight to how it performs.
• Prepare for the unexpected, else to invite misfortune into one's home.
• Worship the gods on their day, but no other.
• [Player Chosen]

Archetypes (3)

• Noble Guardian
• Manipulative Courtier
• Failed Craftsman

Johari Traits (10)

• Adaptable
• Able
• Energetic
• Observant
• Sensible
• Precise
• Assertive
• Proud
• [Player Chosen]
• [Player Chosen]