New Monster – Goblin (Stellar)

As challenged, a different type of goblin:

Goblin (Stellar)

Mirror, mirror polished bright
Mirror, mirror warding light
Mirror, mirror night and day
Goblin, goblin keep away
-Traditional Visse Cleaning Rhyme

Peering in at the window is a small twisted, perhaps once human face, with a shock of untidy blue hair and wild green eyes, slitted like those of a cat.  It laughs maniacally displaying yellowed needle-like teeth and is gone.  A moment later, the door swings open, though there is no one there.  You hear a footstep behind you, spinning to look, you see nothing.

Goblin (Stellar)                                                   CR 1 (400 XP)
CN(E) small fey
Init +2; Senses low-light vision; Perception +4
DEFENSE
AC 16, touch 15, flat-footed 12; (+3 Dex, +1 natural, +1 size, +1 dodge)
hp 4 (1d6+1)
Fort +1, Ref +5, Will +2
Defensive Abilities DR 3/iron or salt, SR 8; Immune mind-affecting
OFFENSE
Spd 20 ft.
Melee 2 claws +4 (1d4-2 + disorientation)
Special Attacks sneak attack +1d6
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 3rd)
At will—feather fall (self only), ghost sound, open/close
1/day—cause fear, jump, spider climb
STATISTICS
Str 7, Dex 17, Con 13, Int 8, Wis 11, Cha 13
Base Atk +0; CMB -2; CMD 7
Feats Dodge [B], Weapon Finesse [B]
Skills Acrobatics +7, Climb +2, Perception +4, Slight of Hand +7, Stealth +11
Languages goblin, whatever language is local to the area they are in
SQ death curse, hide in plain sight, mirrorbane
Gear occasional tools
Environment any
Organization solitary, trio, or pack (5-12)
Treasure Value incidental
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Death Curse (Su): When a goblin is slain, it curses its killer, the usual curse is ‘Seven Days Bad Luck’, during that time the victim of the curse suffers a -1 luck penalty on all rolls and a -4 luck penalty on any roll to confirm a critical.  But others curses may be substituted at the DM’s whim.

Disorientation (Su): The wounds from a goblin are rarely severe but they cause exposure to the goblin’s warped view of the world which is highly disorienting.  Anyone damaged by a goblin’s claws must make a Will save (DC 11) or be dazed (if 4 HD or less) / -1 penalty to attacks and skill checks (if more than 4 HD) for 1 round.

Hide in Plain Sight (Su): A goblin can use the Stealth skill even while being observed. As long as there is some sort of distraction and there are no mirrors in the area.

Mirrorbane (Ex): Goblins hate mirrors with a burning passion, mirrors remind them of what they once were and they cannot bear that.  Actively confronting them with a mirror (or mirrored surface) causes a goblin to become shaken.  Just knowing a mirror or mirrored surface could catch their reflection causes them to suffer a -1 fear penalty to attacks and skill checks (which does not stack with the penalties from being shaken) and prevents them from activating their spell like powers (but those already in effect continue).

When the Sundering tore apart the world, its effects echoed into the other realms including those of the spirits.  Many spirits were ripped apart as the same happened to their homes, others were wounded and forced into enchanted sleep and still others were changed.  Many of those that were changed were twisted and warped by the magical energies unleashed becoming the creatures now known as goblins.

Goblins ebb and flow across the Sea of Stars, haunting some places for centuries, descending on others for a day or a week and then vanishing, they are rarely predictable and always feared.  In places where goblins are common, mirrors are often placed on doors and windows to keep them out.  In some cultures brides wear mirrors or crystals on their wedding dress or are given a mirror as a wedding gift to keep away goblins and ward off ill fortune.  Goblins are also the reason that a broken mirror is said to bring seven years bad luck.

Goblins live to cause mischief, trouble and strife, taking out their disgust and hatred at the world on the beings that live in it.  Like many such spirits they can be bribed, they usually like sweets and milk.  Goblins can warded against with magical barriers and mirrors deterring them.  Most cultures use some combination of the two methods to protect against these beings.  Goblins are very cunning, strategically weakening items so that they break when used, spoiling food, hiding important objects and numerous other acts of deviltry.  They especially delight in taking objects that will lead to accusations of theft between friends or family.

The hatred of goblins for mirrors is legendary, they hate to be reminded of what they have become, and they will deface or destroy any mirror they can but they usually cannot bear to confront their reflection to do so.  Cats can always sense goblins and many goblins delight in torturing and killing cats while others seek to bribe and befriend them.

Notes: See here for a magic item with a goblin bound to it.  And you can find a version for D&D 5E here.