Baulk

During the Age of Creation, Goblyns, as a race, were at the peak of perfection. They were what are now referred to as "True Goblyns". Stronger, faster, with sharper wits and even sharper blades. They were the fiercest of all the races the various gods had borne. Melashekhaad was pleased with his creation, and so he bestowed upon them his blessing: an immortal soul. When a Goblyn died, their soul would travel to the frozen Underworld, and be reborn to fight again. This meant a Goblyn was truly unstoppable in battle, because he had no fear of death.

This angered the other gods, because they had no power to give such a gift to their spawn. Marjack, father of the Bugbears, known as Shahkeem to some Goblyns, was especially pissed off. Thinking his race be superior, he sought a way to strip all the Goblyns of their blessing. It seemed impossible, for Melashekhaad was too large and powerful to be manipulated, and what hadn't the other races already tried to wipe out the green hordes? Soon though, Marjack discovered a very fat Goblyn named Baulk who lived in one of the nearby tribes. It was clear this Goblyn loved to eat, and did so more often than he did anything else. Marjack approached him one day, and asked, "Would Baulk like to eat the most delicious food in all the world, an' get to eat it forever?" The gluttonous Goblyn immediately dropped whatever scraps he had in his mouth, and nodded.

With what little power he had, dee Bugbear god managed to remove Melashekhaad's blessing from Baulk. He immediately transported the fat Goblyn to the edge of the Underworld, and he perched upon the wide, frozen gates. Unlike other Goblyns, he was not reborn. In fact, whenever a soul went past, Baulk's eyes became wide, and he bit a piece of it off. Goblyn souls be the most pure, delicious things in creation, and the greedy Baulk did not hesitate to nibble upon every Goblyn soul that passed through the gates into the Underworld. With every piece torn away, the soul itself became weaker. With each new litter, the True Goblyns began to dwindle in number. These souls were cowardly and slow, afraid of their enemies. They had no courage or rage to destroy their enemies without thought. In time, Shahkeem knew his plan had worked, and he made war against the Goblyns, with all the other races at his side. This be the great war that ended this Age, and began what is known as the Age of Retreat.

This be why Baulk be known as the Great Betrayer. He be why Goblyns fell from glory to become the most wretched race on the earth. With the rise of King Neb and other great warriors, Goblyns have regained some strength. But to this day, Baulk sits upon the icy gates of the Underworld and takes another piece of every Goblyn soul. One day, he will pay for his crimes. One day, the Goblyns will return to what they were meant to be, and a new age will dawn.