Goblin Slayer takes place in afantasy worldreminiscent of role-playing games, featuring a variety of races with their unique characteristics and abilities. While goblins are the primary antagonists that Goblin Slayer focuses his efforts on eliminating, many other races factor into the story in meaningful ways.
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Their different perspectives and interactions with Goblin Slayer lead to unlikely partnerships. The unique blend of abilities, ideologies, and goals across the races opens story possibilities that propel Goblin Slayer’s plot forward through unexpectedtwists and turns. There are many races, but these are the major ones that influence the plot.
Goblin Slayer
Jack Of All Trades
Characteristics:
Humans are the most common race in the world of Goblin Slayer. They are diverse in terms of culture, skills, and attitudes. They have a wide range of occupations. These include warriors, priests,mages, and rogues, among others. The main character, known only as Goblin Slayer, is a human who has specialized in hunting and exterminating goblins.
His skill set is unique, focusing on practicality and efficiency as he uses a variety of methods to kill goblins. The human society has hierarchical structures, with nobles, common folk, and adventurers each playing their roles. The Adventurer’s Guild, a key organization in the series, ranks adventurers from Porcelain (the lowest) to Platinum (the highest), reflecting their skills and experience.
Forest Guardians
The Elves are depicted as a long-lived and magical race with a deep connection to nature. They are known for their beauty, grace, and superiorarchery skills. Elves are highly attuned to nature. They live in harmony with the environment, often establishing their homes in forested areas. Their architecture is seamlessly integrated with the surrounding environment, reflecting their respect for nature.
There are many sub-races of Elves including the Dark Elves, Half-Elves, and High Elves. Dark Elves are the ones who choose to follow the Chaos. Half-elves, as the name implies, are born from a union between a human parent and an elven parent. They exhibit traits from both races. High elves are a rare, ancient race whose lineage stretches back to the time of the gods. They are distinguished by their exceptionally pointy, elongated ears.
Skilled Craftsmen
Dwarves are an integral part of the setting, often characterized by theirexceptional strength, craftsmanship, and deep knowledge of the earth. Dwarves are typically shorter than humans, with stocky and sturdy builds that symbolize their inherent strength and resilience. Their physical prowess is often used during combat and in their renowned profession as skilled craftsmen.
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Dwarves are not only known for their physical strength but also for their magical abilities. For example, the Dwarf Shaman, a member of the Goblin Slayer’s party, uses earth-based magic, manipulating the environment to their advantage during combat. Elves and Dwarves also maintain a friendly rivalry, which is a common trope in fantasy literature.
The Never-Ending Menace
Goblins are depicted as amalevolentand destructive race, often portrayed in the light of the havoc and terror they wreak on human settlements. Goblins are generally smaller and weaker than humans, with grotesque features and a hunched posture. However, they can pose a significant threat due to their large numbers.
They are quick breeders and can rapidly overrun areas if not kept in check. There is a clear hierarchy among goblins, with stronger ones often leading the pack. These include Hobgoblins, larger and more powerful goblins; Goblin Champions, elite goblins who are even stronger; and Goblin Lords, who are on par with seasoned human adventurers. There are also Goblin Shamans, who can use magic.
4Lizardmen
Reptile Warriors With A Cheese Obsession
As their name suggests, Lizardmen are humanoid reptiles. They are typically tall and muscular, with scales covering their bodies. They possess reptilian features like a tail, claws, and a snout. Lizardmen have a deep connection to their ancestors and the gods. They often reference their ancestors in conversation, and their religious practices are a significant part of their identity.
Lizardmen often use prayers and blessings in their daily life and combat situations. An interesting cultural quirk of Lizardmen in “Goblin Slayer” is their fascination with cheese, which they consider a delicacy and often use as an offering in their religious rituals. Lizardmen are skilled in bothphysical combatand magic. The Lizard Priest, a member of Goblin Slayer’s party, is a spellcaster who uses prayers to his ancestors to cast spells.
Part Beast, Part Man
Padfoots are humanoid creatures with animal-like features. They are known for their physical strength and keen senses. While not as frequently spotlighted as some of the other races, they play a part in the series' diverse world. Their animal-like senses are often sharper than those of humans, giving them advantages in perception and combat.
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They also have a natural affinity for the wilderness, making them excellent hunters. A notable Padfoot in the series is the Padfoot Waitress. She works at the Guild’s tavern, where adventurers gather and share information. Her character, while not central to the storyline, provides a glimpse into the everyday life and societal roles of the race in the Goblin Slayer world.
The Halflings
Rheas are smaller in stature compared to humans. Despite their small size, they are known for their agility and quickness, traits that serve them well in various roles and professions. They’re known for theirexcellent dexterityand skill in covert operations like scouting and thievery. They are meadow-dwellers and have great survival instincts.
Despite their physical abilities and cunning, Rheas are generally looked down upon by other races due to a reputation for trickery and deceit. This stereotype, though not always true, has resulted in Rheas often living on the fringes of society. One notable Rhea in the Goblin Slayer series is the Rhea Scout.
Cosmic Gamemakers
While not a race per se, Gods play a crucial role in the Goblin Slayer universe. They are depicted as beings who treat the world as a board game, often causing the events that adventurers have to deal with. There is also a hierarchy among the gods, wherein the Great Gods are above everyone. They are not directly involved in the world, but their influence is felt throughout the series.
Each has unique characteristics and adds depth to the series' world. A prominent deity in the series, the Earth Mother is the goddess of abundance, protection, and light. She is primarily worshiped by the Priestess, one of the main characters in the series, who uses prayers to the Earth Mother to cast healing and protective magic.
