The Norker

The norker, which is kind of like the hobgoblin's hillbilly distant cousin, was first published way back in 1981 in the Fiend Folio. They've popped up here and there since, usually in relation to Greyhawk. They're stupid. They're mean. They're also pretty lazy.

I am, unfortunately, not certain where this picture is from. I do think it's an official D&D bit of artwork, though.

Norker

Medium humanoid (gobinoid), chaotic evil

Armor Class 16 (natural armor)

Hit Points 11 (2d8+2)

Speed 30 ft.

Str                    Dex                  Con                  Int                    Wis                  Cha

15 (+2)             12 (+1)             12 (+1)             7 (-2)               10 (+0)             7 (-2)

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10

Languages Goblin

Challenge ¼

Actions

Multiattack. The norker makes two attacks: one with its bite, one with its weapon.

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4+2) piercing damage.

Heavy Club. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) bludgeoning damage.

Javelin. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6+2) piercing damage.

Norkers are distant cousins to hobgoblins, similar in appearance but with prominent fangs and a tough, exoskeleton-like hide. They are typically just over 4 ft. in height, with no hair to speak of. Their hides range from reddish brown to dark gray, while their eyes are typically yellow. Norkers rarely wear anything besides a tattered loincloth and perhaps a belt.

Their tribes are usually significantly smaller in size than hobgoblin tribes, largely due to the fact that they breed more slowly. They are found anywhere one might find goblins or hobgoblins.

Might Makes Right

The strongest norker will be the leader of his tribe, though his influence only extends as far as his reach. On those rare occasions two norker tribes encounter each other, they often come to blows to determine which group is dominant. The victors keep the loser’s fangs as trophies.

Norkers will sometimes come under the command of powerful groups of hobgoblins, either through bribery or intimidation. Hobgoblins like to use norkers as shock troops and cannon fodder.

Lazy Opportunists

Norkers are lazy. They would rather raid other humanoids than hunt their own food. They don’t build anything for themselves, lairing in caves, ruins and villages that they’ve taken by force from others. Norkers fight using crude clubs and javelins, only ever using anything else if they’ve managed to claim it as a trophy from a victim.