The term goblin can refer simply to the uglier members of faerie, or to
certain specific local sub-races. The
family of goblins includes
boggarts, bogles, bogies, knockers, kobolds, wichtlein and other
faeries who usually live in underground areas. Many goblins are
ill-behaved towards humans, causing mischief, breaking things,
switching human babies with changlings, causing insects to plague men
and animals, and other such activities. Many of the mining goblins
like knockers, coblynau, and wichtlein are less malicious. They spend
their time imitating the mining activities of men, though they do not
actually extract any precious metals or gems. Kobolds can be a
nuisance if their tunnels are invaded by human miners, and will throw
rocks at any intruders.
Goblins are often portaged as the villans and troublemakers of
faerie, and are most on prominent on Samhein (Halloween):
In that thrice hallow'd Eve abroad,
When Ghosts, as Cottage-Maids believe,
Their pebbled Beds permitted leave,
And Goblins haunt from Fire or Fen,
Or Mine, or Flood, the walks of Men!
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