GM Question: Space Goblins

[Rohne]

Being new to Starfinder, I'm not sure if this issue has already been addressed or where I can find the appropriate information. So I apologize if this is redundant.

Several people in my community are hoping someone will run a Starfinder campaign. And having run fantasy campaigns in the past, I'm stepping up to learn Starfinder and be our first GM.

So I'm looking at Space Goblins as an interesting adversary. But what are they like? How do you run them in your campaigns? I'm interested in broad categories (Space Goblin law, politics, economics, religion, customs, favorite sayings, quirky behavior, education/intelligence level, motivations, favored tactics, favored weapons, and even a short history of how they came to be). Where are most Space Goblins now? What are their future goals?

And if you can point me to some references (official books/adventures or homebrew), that would be helpful, too.

(and I realize that they can vary depending on the person's campagin... I'm just casting a wide net to gather all the ideas I can get so I can start planning)

[Corsair17]

Well Alien Archive has the official stuff on the Space Goblins but basically picture throwing 6 alley cats into a room full of antique velvet furniture and 3 Jack Russell Terriers...

[Dracomicron]

Space Goblins in the literature are basically molotov-throwing anarchists. They appear in quite a few places as early as Starfinder Society 1-00 Claim to Salvation and Incident at Absolom Station. 1-09 Live Exploration Extreme! has the inklings of their culture, with the "Big Genius" gobbo ruling over the others with an iron power armor clamp.

For more heroic (but just as anarchic) space goblins, try the Cosmic Crit podcast, which features goblins throughout its two seasons.

[Metaphysician]

I've used space goblins as an early foe. I basically ran them as, well, goblins. Only somewhat more technically adept, though no less foolish or impulsive. Granted, these were specifically space goblin *pirates*, so the predilection towards sociopathic violence towards others and themselves would be amplified. However, I subscribe to the view that Paizo goblinoids have a genetic, if not spiritual, predilection to being psychopaths. So, you know, this is expected.

The other major usage is as a minor recurring sidebar NPC reference, "Professor Gorkmork", a famous scholar working out of the University of the Diaspora. Unlike the typical goblin, he is educated and erudite ( and has tenure! ). Whether he's also a psychopath? Well, so far the courts have ruled that every one of his students who died during some experiment or research or other died due to reasons outside his control. And besides, he even paid out their credit hours to their next of kin.

[Corsair17]

@metaphysician we need Professor Gorkmork as an Iconic Character!

[Rohne]

Corsair17 wrote:

@metaphysician we need Professor Gorkmork as an Iconic Character!

This scene is something like what I picture Goblins to be like (and more specifically, what Professor Gorkmork would be like).

Movie: Gremlins 2
Scene: We Want Civilization
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAUAA8jkF4k

Is this a somewhat accurate application to Goblins?

[Third Strongest Mole]

The existence of the goblin junk cycle vehicle points to a possibility for space goblin biker gangs if you want a slightly more organized goblin menace.

[Corsair17]

Third Strongest Mole wrote:

The existence of the goblin junk cycle vehicle points to a possibility for space goblin biker gangs if you want a slightly more organized goblin menace.

If this idea doesn't make it into an AP, they are missing a bet for the most fun since Live Exploration Extreme!

[Metaphysician]

Rohne wrote:

Corsair17 wrote:

@metaphysician we need Professor Gorkmork as an Iconic Character!

This scene is something like what I picture Goblins to be like (and more specifically, what Professor Gorkmork would be like).

Movie: Gremlins 2
Scene: We Want Civilization
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAUAA8jkF4k

Is this a somewhat accurate application to Goblins?

Absolutely. The first movie is also an excellent portrayal of goblins, albeit mostly of the more feral variety.