Goblin Crafters

fractal-goblin

In goblin society, crafters are the ingenious builders, tinkerers, and makers who transform the chaotic world around them into practical tools, weapons, and devices. Though often overlooked by other members of the tribe, the work of goblin crafters is vital for the everyday functioning and survival of the goblin community. From crude machines to ingenious traps, crafters apply their resourcefulness to create everything a goblin tribe needs to thrive.

Role & Power

Goblin crafters are responsible for building and maintaining the tools and structures that keep the tribe running. Their work is not limited to creating weapons; they also craft tools for mining, foraging, cooking, and fortifying their homes. In many ways, they are the problem-solvers of goblin society, adapting quickly to whatever materials are available.

Despite often being seen as laborers, crafters wield a unique power through their skills. Their creations form the backbone of daily life in goblin settlements, from the construction of crude shelters to the invention of everyday objects. Without them, the tribe would struggle to meet basic needs.

Key Characteristics of Goblin Crafters

1. Innovative and Resourceful: Goblin crafters are known for their ability to make something out of nothing. They can take discarded materials—wood, bone, scrap metal, or stone—and turn them into functional objects. Whether it’s building simple tools from bones or crafting a cart from scavenged wood, their ingenuity shines in their ability to repurpose and create.

2. Makers of Everyday Tools: While much of goblin society is focused on survival and conflict, crafters are also responsible for creating the tools that make daily life easier. They build everything from rudimentary cooking equipment to digging tools for expanding the Goblin Den. These everyday tools might be crudely made, but they are essential for foraging, mining, and basic construction.

3. Tinkerers and Inventors: Goblin crafters are naturally curious and experimental. They are always tinkering, modifying, and inventing new devices or contraptions. While their inventions are often simple or improvised, they are highly practical. Whether it’s a pulley system to haul heavy goods or a crank-powered machine for grinding materials, goblins constantly push the boundaries of their limited technology.

4. Creators of Infrastructure: In addition to tools, crafters are responsible for building and maintaining the infrastructure of the goblin settlement. This includes digging and fortifying tunnels, constructing crude buildings or shelters, and setting up storage areas for food and supplies. They also build platforms, bridges, and scaffolding inside caves or underground lairs to make navigating their home easier and more efficient.

5. Adaptable in Harsh Environments: Goblin crafters thrive in difficult environments, whether deep underground or in wild forests. They are highly adaptable and able to make use of whatever materials are available, even in resource-scarce areas. Their ability to survive and create in harsh conditions is a testament to their skills and resourcefulness. They can find uses for bones, mud, scrap metal, and even discarded trash from other civilizations.

Life of a Goblin Crafter

Goblin crafters live and work in the heart of the Goblin Den, in workshops that are always filled with the noise of hammering, grinding, and building. Their days are long, but their work is varied and driven by the needs of the tribe. Whether they are building new structures, fixing broken tools, or inventing new gadgets, goblin crafters keep themselves busy and constantly moving.

1. Workshops and Forges: The workspace of a goblin crafter is chaotic but functional. Their forges and workshops are cluttered with piles of metal scraps, stones, wood, and bones. Tools are scattered everywhere, and half-finished projects litter the floor. Despite the disorder, goblin crafters know exactly where everything is, and they move quickly to complete projects.

2. Collaboration and Competition: Goblin crafters often work together on large projects, such as building a new section of the Den or constructing a bridge. Collaboration is key when resources are limited, and many goblins join forces to create the best solutions. At the same time, there is an underlying sense of competition. Crafters are eager to prove their skills, often trying to outdo one another by coming up with the most creative or efficient solutions.

3. Relentless Problem Solving: Goblin crafters are constantly fixing things. Whether it’s repairing a broken tool, mending a damaged structure, or creating a new device to solve a problem, they are always busy. Goblins don’t throw anything away, and crafters are experts at patching things up or repurposing materials for new uses. A broken wheel becomes part of a new pulley system, and bent metal is reshaped into useful tools.

4. Curiosity and Experimentation: Crafters are known for their curiosity and love of experimentation. They are constantly trying new techniques or designs, whether it’s for a new digging tool or a machine to grind stone faster. Many of their inventions are risky or unstable, leading to occasional explosions or collapses, but the goblins view these failures as part of the process.

5. Hard Work and Constant Demand: Goblin crafters are always in high demand. The goblin tribe depends on their ability to build, repair, and maintain essential tools and structures. From morning to night, crafters are hammering, carving, and shaping materials into usable items. Though they may not have the status of other goblins, their work is crucial to the survival of the tribe.

Notable Creations of Goblin Crafters

1. Crude Machines: Goblin crafters often build simple machines, such as pulleys, levers, and grinding wheels, to make their work easier. These devices might be powered by hand cranks or basic mechanisms and are used to move heavy materials or process resources like stone and metal.

2. Fortifications and Traps: Crafters are responsible for fortifying the goblin settlement. They build defensive walls, dig tunnels, and reinforce weak sections of the Den. They are also experts in creating traps, such as collapsing ceilings, spike pits, or hidden snares to protect their homes.

3. Innovative Tools: Goblin crafters excel at making tools for specific tasks. Whether it’s a multi-purpose digging tool, a crude saw, or a simple water-carrying device, their tools are designed to be as practical and adaptable as possible.

4. Scavenged Creations: One of the hallmarks of goblin crafters is their ability to use scavenged materials. They repurpose broken or discarded items from other civilizations, turning a rusty sword into a farming tool or converting shattered armor into sturdy walls for their homes.

End of a Goblin Crafter's Life

Goblin crafters often live long, productive lives if they can avoid accidents from their own inventions. They may not engage in direct combat, but their contributions to the tribe are constant and essential. Many crafters take on apprentices in their later years, passing on their knowledge and skills to the next generation.