HOBGOBLIN IRON SHADOW – 5e stats

Medium humanoid (goblinoid), lawful evil

Armor Class 15
Hit Points 32 (5d8 + 10)
Speed 40 ft.

Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +3 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
14 (+2)	16 (+3)	15 (+2)	14 (+2)	15 (+2)	11 (+0)

Skills Acrobatics +5, Athletics +4. Stealth +5
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages Common, Goblin
Challenge 2 (450 XP)

Spellcasting. The hobgoblin is a 2nd-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Intelligence (spell save DC 12, +4 to hit with spell attacks). It has the following wizard spells prepared:

• Cantrips (at will): minor illusion, prestidigitation, true strike
• 1st level (3 slots): charm person, disguise self, expeditious retreat, silent image

Unarmored Defense. While the hobgoblin is wearing no armor and wielding no shield, its AC includes its Wisdom modifier.

ACTIONS

• Multiattack. The hobgoblin makes four attacks, each of which can be an unarmed strike or a dart attack. It can also use Shadow Jaunt once, either before or after one of the attacks.
• Unarmed Strike. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) bludgeoning damage.
• Dart. Ranged Weapon Attack. +5 to hit, range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4 + 3) piercing damage.
• ShadowJaunt. The hobgoblin magically teleports, along with any equipment it is wearing or carrying, up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space it can see. Both the space it is leaving and its destination must be in dim light or darkness.

DESCRIPTION

A hobgoblin iron shadow is a stealthy and deadly hobgoblin who has mastered the art of shadow magic and martial arts. They serve as secret agents, spies, and assassins for their clan and their court, whether it is in the Feywild or the Material Plane.

A hobgoblin iron shadow is a skilled combatant, wearing no armor and wielding a staff or a dart. They have a high agility and stamina, as well as a keen intelligence and wisdom. They can cast spells that create illusions, charm enemies, or enhance their speed. They can also teleport between shadows, making them hard to track or catch.

A hobgoblin iron shadow is also loyal and devoted to their clan and their god, Maglubiyet. They are trained in secret, undergoing rigorous tests to prove their worth and loyalty. They spy on other hobgoblins, looking for signs of treachery or rebellion. They also conduct missions against enemies, using their stealth and magic to infiltrate, deceive, or eliminate their targets.

A hobgoblin iron shadow is not a mindless killer, however. They are well aware of the risks and consequences of their actions. They will use strategy and cunning to gain an advantage in combat, such as using terrain, traps, ambushes, and deception. They will also retreat or surrender if they see no chance of victory, but only as a last resort. A hobgoblin iron shadow values their life and reputation above all else.

The Hobgoblin Legion: A Breakdown of the Goblinoid Army

Hobgoblins are a type of goblinoid, a race of humanoid creatures that share a common ancestry with goblins and bugbears. Hobgoblins are larger and more muscular than goblins, but smaller and less brutish than bugbears. They have dark orange or red-orange skin, and hair ranging from dark red-brown to black. Their eyes are usually yellow or red, and their teeth are sharp and pointed. Hobgoblins have a strong sense of discipline and hierarchy, and value martial prowess and cunning above all else. They are often found in well-organized armies or warbands, led by powerful warlords or captains. Hobgoblins are ruthless and pragmatic in combat, using tactics and strategies to gain an advantage over their enemies. They have no qualms about enslaving or exploiting other races, especially those they consider weak or inferior.

A typical hobgoblin legion consists of 1000 individuals, divided into four main divisions: infantry, cavalry, artillery, and special forces. Each division is led by a sub-chief, who reports to the chief, who in turn reports to the warlord. The warlord is the supreme leader of the legion, who commands the entire army with charisma and cunning. The legion also has various allies and war machines that support its operations and enhance its capabilities.

The following is a detailed breakdown of the different types and numbers of hobgoblin soldiers and allies in the legion:

• Hobgoblin Warlord (1): The supreme leader of the legion, a charismatic and cunning commander who inspires fear and respect among his troops. He wields a magic weapon and wears a magic armor, and has access to some spells. He is usually guarded by a squad of elite hobgoblins or other allies.
• Hobgoblin Chief (5): The second-in-command of the legion, a loyal and capable lieutenant who oversees the daily operations and logistics of the army. He is also a skilled warrior and a master of martial advantage. He reports directly to the warlord and can take over the command if the warlord is absent or incapacitated.
• Hobgoblin Sub-Chief (20): The leaders of the four main divisions of the legion: infantry, cavalry, artillery, and special forces. They are responsible for training, equipping, and deploying their respective units. They are also formidable fighters and tacticians who can coordinate their attacks with their allies. They answer to the chief and the warlord.
• Hobgoblin Captain (80): The officers of the legion, each commanding a squad of 10 hobgoblins or other soldiers. They are experienced and respected veterans who can boost the morale and effectiveness of their subordinates. They are also proficient with various weapons and armor, and can use martial advantage to deal extra damage. They follow the orders of their sub-chiefs, chief, and warlord.
• Hobgoblin (600): The rank-and-file soldiers of the legion, each wearing chain mail and shield, and wielding a longsword or a longbow. They are disciplined and organized warriors who fight in rigid ranks and perfect lockstep. They can use martial advantage to deal extra damage when they have an ally nearby. They obey their captains, sub-chiefs, chief, and warlord without question.
• Hobgoblin Devastator (40): The spellcasters of the legion, each wearing a robe adorned with arcane symbols, and wielding a staff or a wand. They are adept at using destructive evocation spells, such as fireball or lightning bolt, to blast their enemies from afar. They can also use martial advantage to deal extra damage when they have an ally nearby. They are usually assigned to the artillery division.
• Hobgoblin Iron Shadow (40): The stealth operatives of the legion, each wearing a leather armor and a hooded cloak, and wielding a shortsword or a dagger. They are experts at infiltration, assassination, sabotage, and espionage. They can use martial advantage to deal extra damage when they have an ally nearby. They can also use ki to perform various feats, such as stunning strike or shadow step. They are usually assigned to the special forces division.
• Worg (200): The mounts and companions of the legion, each resembling a large wolf with red eyes and black fur. They are ferocious and loyal beasts who can communicate telepathically with their riders or handlers. They can bite their enemies with their sharp teeth, or knock them prone with their pounce attack. They are usually assigned to the cavalry division, or used as scouts or trackers by other units.
• Bugbear (50): The shock troops or elite guards of the legion, each wearing hide armor and wielding a morningstar or a javelin. They are savage and brutal fighters who enjoy crushing their enemies with their strength or their surprise attack. They are often loyal to their hobgoblin leaders, but can also be rebellious or treacherous if they sense weakness or opportunity.
• Goblin (10): The servants and slaves of the legion, each wearing ragged clothes and carrying a sling or a club. They are weak and cowardly creatures who perform menial tasks such as cooking, cleaning, repairing, or carrying supplies for the army. They are often mistreated and abused by their hobgoblin masters, who consider them inferior and expendable.
• Ogre (10): The heavy hitters or siege weapons of the legion, each wearing a loincloth and wielding a greatclub or a rock. They are powerful and resilient fighters who can smash their enemies with their brute force or their hurl attack. They are often hired or coerced by the hobgoblins, who provide them with food and loot in exchange for their services.
• Ballista (4): The large crossbows of the legion, each mounted on a wheeled platform that can be moved by a team of hobgoblins or worgs. They fire massive bolts that can pierce through armor or walls. They are operated by a crew of two or three hobgoblins, one to aim and fire, and the others to load and reload. They are used to attack enemy fortifications or large creatures from a safe distance.
• Catapult (4): The devices that launch projectiles of the legion, each mounted on a wooden frame that can be assembled or disassembled by a team of hobgoblins or goblins. They launch rocks, barrels, or firebombs over a long range. They are operated by a crew of four or five hobgoblins, one to aim and release, and the others to load and crank. They are used to bombard enemy positions or cause chaos and destruction among their ranks.
• War Wagon (4): The large wagons that are reinforced with metal plates and spikes, and equipped with weapons such as crossbows, spears, or blades. They are pulled by a team of worgs or ogres, and driven by a hobgoblin captain or sub-chief. They are manned by a crew of six to eight hobgoblins, who can fire from the windows or deploy from the doors. They are used to break through enemy lines or transport troops and supplies across the battlefield.

The total number of individuals in this reorganized hobgoblin legion is 1059: 1 warlord + 5 chiefs + 20 sub-chiefs + 80 captains + 600 hobgoblins + 40 devastators + 40 iron shadows + 200 worgs + 50 bugbears + 10 goblins + 10 ogres + 4 ballistas + 4 catapults + 4 war wagons.