written goblinoid language?

[dave.gillam]

So I kinow goblins fear writing.
do the other two goblinoid races? or have they developed a writing system? One of my players wants to play a hobgoblin passing intel, and asked the question, and I cant seem to find an answer.

[Calybos1]

Since bugbears and hobgoblins have no fear of writing listed in their description, there's no reason they couldn't have developed a written language like any other sentient species.

[dave.gillam]

is there a hard rule in PF on that? or just GM fiat?

[Mythic Evil Lincoln]

At the very least, a hobgoblin of sufficient intelligence could transliterate using the Taldane alphabet. But they are sufficiently militaristic that they have probably not only developed written language, but also codes and cyphers.

Goblins fearing writing is just flavor text, not a "hard rule" as you say. There is no reason to inhibit a literate character of another race entirely over this issue.

You know, in general you should throw the PCs a bone in these situations. I hate to think that your game actually got held up while you went to the forums for an answer on this.

[James Jacobs]

Goblins fear writing and thus do not write. The language DOES have a written form, though, and both hobgoblins and bugbears have no specific fear of writing it. There are also a few rare goblins who have overcome their fear of words, but they're pretty much always outcasts—or at the very least, good at hiding their dirty little word sin from their fellow goblins.

And no... there's no"hard rule" for this, any more than it's a hard rule that dwarves enjoy beer, dragons collect treasure, or any other flavor text.

For PCs of ANY race... the PC generally gets to decide their individual character's quirks and differences from the norm. Because if ANYONE IN THE WHOLE WORLD is gonna be different from the norm, it's the PC.

[Comrade Anklebiter]

What a load of racist crap.

Down with Paizo!

Vive le Galt!

Goblins love reading!

[dave.gillam]

no, the game wasnt held up. We just werent sure if there even was a goblin language to write in, given the fear of words goblins have. And bugbears dont seem the type to develop much literature, either. I was gonna say yes, but he wanted the board-check. He's more rules-conscious than me.

[Mythic Evil Lincoln]

Cool, good on you then. Keep up the good work, Game Master!

[James Jacobs]

dave.gillam wrote:

no, the game wasnt held up. We just werent sure if there even was a goblin language to write in, given the fear of words goblins have. And bugbears dont seem the type to develop much literature, either. I was gonna say yes, but he wanted the board-check. He's more rules-conscious than me.

Well... Bugbears are basically serial killers, and serial killers often keep pretty detailed journals. Just look at the movie "Se7en" as an example! ;-)

[Diekssus]

I wanted to respond to this topic, however some guy started talking about writing and words, and it stole the thoughts out of my head....

Burn the BOOKS NOW!!

[Zhayne]

'Fear of writing'. Seriously?

[James Jacobs]

Zhayne wrote:

'Fear of writing'. Seriously?

Absolutely. As detailed in Pathfinder #1, goblins are afraid that writing steals words out of your head, and that if you see too much writing, it'll steal all your words.

Goblins are a bit... askew.