Invoke Dreams and Nightmares through 5E D&D Monsters of the Multiverse’s Fey Goblins

February 25, 2022

Fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons is by far its most popular iteration of the game to date. With this edition’s lifespan nearing the time many editions transitioned to the next, we’re getting an update in the form of Monsters of the Multiverse, which presents new insights into various D&D monsters and races including goblinoids. While some settings use these races as shorthand for villains or simple monsters, Monsters of the Multiverse reveals these creatures to be fey in origin. As part of that new revelation we’re getting updates to these races.

Dreams & Nightmares

Since its inception in fourth edition D&D’s Manual of the Planes the Feywild has been shorthand for a more fantastical realm where colors are more vivid and names hold magical power. It’s a world of dreams and nightmares alike, evoking tones of Ghibli, Tim Burton and the Spirit World of the Avatar franchise.

Including goblinoids into this scenario feels right to me, representing more of the nightmarish aspect of the Feywild we haven’t seen as much. This is the side of the Feywild where hags, redcaps and other creatures of the brilliant darkness reside. I love imagining goblins roaming gnarled forests filled with glowing mushrooms and creeping, thorny vines. Not only is it evocative but also, including goblinoids into the fey embraces the historical mythology of such creatures.

Historically speaking the myths of goblins come from Germanic folklore. In myth, kobolds and goblins are the same things while both are types of pixies (or sprites). Thus including goblins with the fey makes sense. While mythology might equate the creatures D&D has historically differentiated kobolds and goblins with the former having ties to dragons. For this reason I’d imagine kobolds are not included in the races tied to the Feywild.

Character ideas for goblins

If your next 5E D&D game needs a character who can capture the imagination and attention of audiences both benign and malign — whether you’re the DM or a player — check out the Mischief Maker.

With this revelation about goblins I’ve had a swarm of ideas for goblin player characters, some of which I’ve detailed below. Feel free to play these characters or use them as NPCs in your games. The idea is these four form a cohesive team, if you’re so inclined. Each of these characters revolves around the ideas of a more spiritual or ethereal Feywild where animals, plants and the world of dreams collide. [NERDITOR’S NOTE: You might also consider our own Mischief Maker, which can easily be adapted for a goblin character.]

Grunkle the goblin barbarian

First on our list of character ideas is a little gobbo with a big temper. Grunkle was always the runt of his group but being the runt teaches one to be tough, take a beating and come out yeeting. Whatever you do, don’t call this guy short. That’s gets him fired up quicker than anything.

Grunkle is a totem barbarian of the honey badger and just like his totem spirit, Grunkle don’t give a care. He uses dream energy to channel the spirit of the honey badger that frequently visits him in his sleep.

To build Grunkle, first choose the Path of the Totem Warrior at 3rd level along with the Totem Spirit — Bear because honey badgers need to be able to shrug off anything.

Next at 6th level choose Aspect of the Beast — Tiger with Athletics and Survival as your skill proficiencies. This is because the honey badger needs to be able to track and run down prey.

At 10th level you gain the same feature no matter what — Spirit Walker. Finish off at 14th level with Totemic Attunement — Bear, because honey badgers force everyone else to care. Grunkle is such a threat the enemies just can’t ignore him!

Axi the goblin cleric

Sweet dreams and nightmares come in equal measure to all, yet for Axi it’s this very dream energy powering her spells. A cleric of the sandman, Axi induces night terrors on her foes while blessing her allies with pleasant rest.

For Axi the veil between dreams and reality is a razor’s edge. You could really choose to play her either way — as a beacon of nocturnal fear or as a defender against that which lurks beyond the light of the moon.

I personally like the idea of playing her somewhere between these two extremes. This would keep enemies and allies alike on their toes. Being a Twilight Domain cleric Axi would offer a much needed support role to the party.

Pahro the goblin rogue

Pahro’s awakened mind allows him to manifest his dreams as solid force. With a thought Pahro grows long claws (like Lust from Full Metal Alchemist). These claws are actually composed of psionic shadow, a reflavoring of the Soulknife rogue’s core feature.

Equal parts intelligent and sinister, Pahro sneaks in the shadows cast by the luminous mushrooms of his home region. When Pahro speaks to others through psionic communication those he whispers to perceive the shadows around them closing and warping while his mind’s voice is distorted with high pitched squeals and thunderous bass.

When Pahro uses his other features as he develops, his proficiency with wielding shadows and manipulating the dark increases. Perhaps he is slowly turning into a creature of nightmare legend, or perhaps something far more sinister is at play…

Fluxx the goblin sorcerer

Fluxx is a sorcerer. Fluxx has no idea how or why their magic manifested when it did. It simply happened one day and has continued since.

Being a Wild Magic sorcerer, Fluxx has always been surrounded by chaos. Their allies remain unsure what magic happens is mere coincidence and what is invoked by this boisterously haphazard goblin, who may or may not be entirely present in their own mind at any given moment.

Sometimes Fluxx says truly profound things bordering on genius, and at other times Fluxx babbles nonsense and strange noises. Fluxx represents the very chaos of the Feywild and the nature of dreams themselves. It’s wholly common for Fluxx to incite the bizarre logic found in dreams, translating them to the material world.

What do you think?

Do you like the changes coming to goblinoids and other creatures in Monsters of the Multiverse? Whatever your thoughts, drop us a comment and like the post if you enjoyed this. Connect with us on Facebook and YouTube for more nerdy content.

*Featured image — D&D traditionally presents goblins as small, black-hearted, selfish humanoids that lair in caves, abandoned mines, despoiled dungeons, and other dismal settings. Individually weak, goblins gather in large — sometimes overwhelming — numbers. They crave power and regularly abuse whatever authority they obtain. Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse changes this traditional lore and makes a connection between goblinoids and the Feywild. [Image courtesy Wizards of the Coast]