Stat Block: Blackwool Hobgoblin The Hobgoblins of the Legion of the Fist

From time to time, we will be publishing quick stat blocks. Some will be original. Others, like this one, are tweaks of existing stat blocks. What you do with them is up to you. Note: The Blackwool Hobgoblin is designated as Open Game Content. This designation covers its statistics and description, but not the accompanying image or the author’s signature block. (Click here for license.) 

Blackwool Hobgoblin — Legion of the Fist

Medium Humanoid (Goblinoid)
Challenge 1 (200 XP)

Defense & Maneuver
Armor Class 13
Hit Points 13 (3d8)
Speed 40 ft., Stealth +4, Acrobatics +4, may run on liquid or vertical surfaces so long as turn ends on level ground
Senses passive Perception 11, darkvision 60 feet

Attacks
Racial Advantage: Once per turn, if the target is within 5 feet of a conscious ally, the Blackwool hobgoblin can inflict an addition 7 (2d6) damage.
Multiattack: The Blackwool hobgoblin strikes with both an armed and an unarmed attack.
Ki Attack: Once per encounter, the Blackwool hobgoblin may make one armed attack and two unarmed attacks.
Melee Attack, Armed (+4 to hit, 7 bludgeoning damage): The Blackwool hobgoblin strikes with a three-section staff (use quarterstaff statistics) for 1d8+2 damage.
Melee Attack, Unarmed (+4 to hit, 4 bludgeoning damage): The Blackwool hobgoblin kicks or punches for 1d4+2 damage.
Ranged Attack (+4 to hit, 6 piercing damage): The Blackwool hobgoblin fires a light crossbow for 1d8+2 damage.

Miscellany
Alignment Lawful Evil
Languages Common, Goblin
Ability Modifiers Str +0, Dex +2, Con +0, Int +0, Wis +1, Cha -1

The hobgoblins of the Legion of the Fist shun the usual metal armor and heavy weapons of other legions, favoring the arts of the monk. Whether the legion’s fighting style was developed internally, taught to them by human orders, or taught to them by an otherworldly psionic race is a matter of debate among sages. What is known is that the Legion of the Fist hobgoblins are derided by their cousins in other legions, who call them “Blackwool” hobgoblins after their darkened, woolen cloaks. Among other races, it is also generally believed that, even if other hobgoblins won’t admit it, the Blackwools are far more dangerous than their metal-bearing cousins.

Image credit: The Blackwool hobgoblin image is a composite of this assassin image, this landscape of Gehenna, and this hobgoblin.

♦ Graham Robert Scott writes regularly for Ludus Ludorum when not teaching or writing scholarly stuff. Graham has also written a Dungeon Magazine city adventure titled “Thirds of Purloined Vellum” and a fantasy novella titled Godfathom. Like the Ludus on Facebook to get a heads-up when we publish new content.