Editing 40d:Goblin

'''Goblins''' are intelligent [[humanoid]] [[creatures]] that live in dark fortresses in the [[mountain]]s. They are primarily interested in killing [[Dwarf|dwarves]]. They will [[siege]] any sufficiently populous or wealthy fortress, and frequently employ [[troll]]s in their armies to destroy [[door]]s and other [[building]]s.

Occasionally, one or more goblin "snatchers" may arrive if you have [[child]]ren in your fortress. They are cowardly [[thieves]], stealthy like [[kobold]]s, but their target is not your valued items, but the children of the fortress. Detecting them is announced by "Snatcher! Protect the children!". They will attempt to kidnap any children they come across and carry a [[bag]] with them for this purpose.  After a few attempts, goblin master [[thief|thieves]] may start showing up. Besides being generally more competent, these can also evade [[trap]]s. There is also a small chance of getting the goblin ruler with these thieves, if he is a thief himself. Toady stated in a [[Main:Developer interviews|RPPR interview]] that these children will be raised by the goblins and can eventually show up in future goblin armies. Dwarven, Elven and Human converts are confirmed, though whether or not a child can return and siege his own fortress remains undetected.

Independent of this goblins will [[ambush]] your fortress, sending squads of different soldier types. Later, the sieges begin: your primary adversary in an invasion, goblin numbers increase every year once they start attacking, and eventually begin besieging your fortress more than once a year. Fortunately, they are not very bright, and will walk into traps by the hundreds. They may sometimes come riding [[beak dog]]s as cavalry. It is rare for goblin sieges to last until all of them die - the last few uncaged, un-eviscerated goblins will generally run for their lives rather than continue their attack.

Goblins carry somewhat valuable gear. They often wear [[giant cave spider]] [[silk]] [[cloth]]ing, [[iron]] [[armor]], even [[steel]] armor (that can be melted down) and steel [[weapon]]s. Crossbowmen will carry dwarf-usable [[bolt]]s. Goblin clothing is considered "[[narrow]]" and dwarves cannot wear it, though it can be used as [[trade]] goods or [[melted]].  Goblin [[bone]]s and [[skull]]s are not particularly valuable, although - as with all bones and skulls - the bones can be crafted into bolts and the skulls crafted into [[totem]]s.

Because the goblin master thieves can avoid your traps, it's useful to chain a few war [[dog]]s at the entrance. [[Trap#Cage_Trap|Cage traps]] also seem to be more effective than other traps at catching those sneaking goblin masters.

If starting in a goblin fort you should definitely ditch your [[anvil]]. If you have a [[soil]] level you can probably get by bringing less [[food]] and less [[alcohol|booze]], thus allowing you to bring lots of dogs; a large enough pack of dogs should allow you to escape the goblin fort with few casualties, and start building your own army. The dogs will also provide you with a nice source of [[meat]].  

Goblins do not possess the aptitude for [[grower|growing]], tending more towards [[fishing]], [[hunting]], and [[butcher]]ing livestock for their food sources. Fortunately for goblins their digestive systems can derive as much sustenance from [[bone]]s as from the [[meat]] that came on it.