Ratgoblins of the Apocalypse? Hmm. Better than Goblindog-Goblins I suppose. Maybe Ratriders until riding rats becomes normalized. Then add a Ysoki rider too, just to mess with normalcy.
Apocalyptic Mice from Golarion? (if you know, you know, and aren't young)
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So...
Anyone else find it hilarious that Fumbus was picked to be the Iconic that represents the Apocalypse Rider Mythic Archetype in War Of Immortals. And for his apocalypse mount, the artist chose to give him a dog.
Not really. I find it to be one of the many "oh so quirky" things that are, to my taste, too prevalent in Paizo products these days.
Quirky is fine in moderation, but the amount we're served is cloying.But I'm glad that many people seem to have a stronger sweet tooth than I. Happy for them.
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I find it to be one of the many "oh so quirky" things that are, to my taste, too prevalent in Paizo products these days.Hmmm. Goblins are an ancient early days tradition as I understand. What are the recent examples? Because I don't remember anything even close.
Lost Omens: Firebrands is probably the most egregious example.
I'm like 30:70 hit:miss regarding the books being written with so much in-world character perspective, mostly based on how the characters themselves are written.The in-world writer for Fire in RoE literally didn't have a single paragraph without an exclamation mark.
I also interpreted that Goblins disliking dogs could also be representative of their dislike of the Domesticated forms of Canines. I adopted a sense that they 'could' still have the Tolkien-est associations with Wargs for instance. In that premise goblins may feel dogs are slavering cowards looking up to their human masters and not worthy of the meat they eat. Wolves on the other hand have instincts of good hunters and could probably take down a goblin or two without instruction from their master.
At least that was my spin on it. There are ties between Goblins and Barghest still in second edition. I'm not aware of them being retconned out of the remaster, but might have missed them. But I have an old goblin who rode a wolf that I'd love to remake some day in second edition. But they considered their wolf companion a fellow clan-mate, not just a beast of burden or combat tool. And they would have objected strongly against any assertion that Charr was a dog. They were clearly a Wolf and one should not insult them.
On the other hand, I also like the rodent-like goblin-dogs which are obviously not related to dogs at all. While I'd be perfectly willing to come up with another concept for a goblin riding one of those, my other character idea had a specific tie in to Wargs, so it made more sense to stick with a Wolf companion for the character.
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The hatred goblins have for dogs and horses goes all the way back to the 3.5 Rise of the Runelords AP. Literally.
From the "Ten Fun Facts About Goblins" in the foreword to Burnt Offerings (Pathfinder #1):
1. Horse Hate: Goblins excel at riding animals, but they don’t quite get horses. In fact, their hatred of all things horse is matched only by their fear of horses, who tend to step on goblins who get too close.
2. Dog Hate: Although goblins raise horrible rat-faced creatures called (creatively enough) goblin dogs to use as mounts (and ride wolves or worgs if they can get them—goblins are quick to explain that wolves are NOT dogs), their hatred of plain old dogs nearly matches their hatred of horses. The feeling is mutual. If your dog’s barking at the woodpile for no reason, chances are he smells a frightened goblin hiding in there somewhere.
And yes, Apocalypse Rider Fumbus is riding a goblin dog and not a canine dog...
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Actually that's a goblin dog, not a dog. You can tell by the rodent-like teeth and tail. The pustules on its shoulder also show up on the 2E Bestiary/Monster Core art of the goblin dog (Though the 1E Bestiary art lacks this trait).
My boyfriend actually had the same sentiment when we got our hands on War of Immortals. Took a look to see what he meant when I found myself explaining what I just did above.
Huh. That makes it simultaneously less funny, and more funny.
It is less funny in that Fumbus is riding an animal fully acceptable for his race to be expected to ride.
It is more funny in that I and your boyfriend came to the same silly, if incorrect, conclusion upon seeing the art.
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The fact that Goblin Dogs spread a disease (ok technically allergic reaction, but functions as a disease) to non-goblins is also very appropriate for an Apocalypse Rider Fumbus to choose to ride.