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Description

Hobgoblins often ally with powerful dragons, supplying the drake with treasure and sometimes a lair in exchange for assistance in battle. Of all the chromatic dragons, blue dragons are the most common hobgoblin allies. Their territories often overlap, with the hobgoblins settling in hilly or broken lands adjoining deserts controlled by blue dragons, and both races recognize that alliances are more productive than rivalries. Mighty blues often "adopt" a nearby tribe of hobgoblins, while stories tell of tribes that raise wyrmling blue dragons to adulthood over many generations.

Although physical relationships between the two races are unusual, the priests of the Sunscorch tribe of hobgoblins developed divine rituals that allowed them to take on draconic characteristics. The original tribe has long since disappeared, but the traits created by these rituals linger in the hobgoblin race. The birth of a sunscorch hobgoblin is considered a powerful omen, though whether it bodes great fortune or ill tidings depends on how threatened the tribe leaders feel about the new arrival.

Sunscorch hobgoblins appear much like their fellows, except for their brilliant azure eyes. They display exceptional cunning and patience, but often share the vanity of blue dragons. They have a natural love of power: when a sunscorch hobgoblin isn't leading a warband or tribe, he is likely the voice of wisdom behind its leader.

Combat

Racial Traits

• Darkvision out to 60 feet.

• Dragonblood Subtype: Sunscorch hobgoblins are of the dragonblood subtype (see page 4).

• Sunscorch hobgoblins are inured to the environmental hazards of the blue dragons' home. They have a +2 racial bonus on Fortitude saves to avoid nonlethal damage from heat (see Heat Dangers, DMG303)

• Sunscorch hobgoblins have a +2 racial bonus on Bluff checks because of their natural ability to deceive their enemies.

• +4 racial bonus on Move Silently checks.