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Bittervein Goblin Scavenger

Since the Bittervein Mine was abandoned by the dwarves, several goblin clans have moved in. The scavengers are the lowest caste, tasked with retrieving every bit of iron and copper left behind. They know the shortcuts and hidden cracks of the mine better than anyone.

Monsters
Small humanoid · CR 1 · Common

Bittervein Goblin Scavenger

Scrawny, soot-covered goblins who prioritize looting discarded metal and food scraps over organized warfare.
AC13
HP7/7
CR1
Init
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
ConditionsNone

Combat

AC 13 · HP 7 · CR 1

Bittervein Goblin Scavenger

Small humanoid (goblinoid), neutral evil
Armor Class13 (Scrap Armor)
Hit Points7 (2d6)
Speed
30 ft.
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
Saving ThrowsDexterity
SkillsStealthPerceptionInvestigation
Damage Resistances
None
Immunities
None
Weaknesses
None
Senses
Darkvision 60 ft.,
Passive Perception 11
Languages
Common,
Goblin
Challenge1
Proficiency Bonus+2
Nimble Escape. The goblin can take the Disengage or Hide action as a bonus action on each of its turns.
Pack of Junk. As an action, the goblin can search its bag to find a mundane item worth 1gp or less (like a crowbar, piton, or spoon) that it scavenged recently.

Actions

Rusty Scrap-Knife. Melee Weapon Attack: to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 () piercing damage.
Junk Sling. Ranged Weapon Attack: to hit, range 30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 4 () bludgeoning damage. If the goblin has scavenged iron recently, the target must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or take 1 extra necrotic damage from the rust.
Pocket Sand (Recharge 6). The goblin throws a handful of grit and soot at a creature within 5 feet. The target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or be blinded until the end of its next turn.

Reactions

Squeal and Scurry. When a creature the goblin can see misses it with a melee attack, the goblin can move up to 10 feet without provoking opportunity attacks.
Role
Skirmisher
Built for
1

Gear

  • Scavenger Bag (Container, 2 gp (in raw materials))A heavy burlap sack filled with metal scraps, rocks, and old bones.

Feats

None

Augmentations

None

Notes for the game master

Expertise in Stealth is already factored into the +6 bonus.
The CR 1/4 assumes the use of Nimble Escape for survival.

Tactics

  1. Opening

    The scavengers start the fight hidden, using their Junk Slings to harass the party from the shadows or from high ledges within the mine shafts.

  2. Mid-fight

    They use Nimble Escape to dart in and out of melee, targeting whoever seems most wounded or whoever is carrying shiny gear.

  3. End of the fight

    Once reduced to 2 hit points or fewer, or if half their number are killed, the remaining goblins will drop their heavy sacks and flee.

  4. Retreat

    Goblins value their lives over their junk. They will use Pocket Sand to facilitate a getaway into small tunnels that Medium creatures cannot enter.

How it fights

Always stay behind cover.
Focus fire on the target carrying the most metal (Paladins/Fighters).
Use 'Squeal and Scurry' to lead enemies into traps if any are nearby.

Who it attacks first

Weakened foes (to finish them off and loot)
Small creatures (easier to overpower)
Spellcasters (who look physically weak)

Works well with

Work well with Rust Monsters who break equipment for the goblins to gather.
Effective when paired with a Goblin Boss who keeps them focused.

How to beat it

Light spells to negate their stealth.
Area of effect spells (Sleep, Burning Hands) due to low HP.
Caltrops or hazards to restrict their Nimble Escape movement.

Ways to avoid a fight

The goblins can be bribed with food or high-quality metal (like silver or steel).
They may share knowledge of mine shortcuts in exchange for a 'shiny' trinket.

Ecology

These goblins are notably thin and covered in coal dust. They wear a haphazard assortment of leather straps and rusted metal plates held together by twine. Each one carries a bulging, stained sack over one shoulder and has various bits of junk, like bent spoons or iron shards, braided into their greasy hair.

Behavior

Skittish and easily distracted by shiny objects, these scavengers rarely fight fairly. They prefer to rummage through debris and will only engage if they feel they have a numerical advantage or if cornered near a particularly valuable 'treasure' heap.

How it lives

The Bittervein Goblins live off the refuse of the larger predators or previous residents. They are excellent recyclers of scrap metal, which they use for crude armor and trade with other goblin tribes.

Lair

They nest in the damp, cramped side tunnels of the Bittervein Mine, specifically near old smithy areas or garbage chutes.

Habitat
Dungeon (Abandoned Mines)

Signs that it is near

Small, soot-stained footprints
The sound of metal clinking in the dark
Small piles of 'sorted' trash
Discarded, half-eaten rat carcasses

Tags

scavenger,
sneaky,
weak

Lore

Since the Bittervein Mine was abandoned by the dwarves, several goblin clans have moved in. The scavengers are the lowest caste, tasked with retrieving every bit of iron and copper left behind. They know the shortcuts and hidden cracks of the mine better than anyone.

What drives it

Hunger and greed. They seek to fill their bags with enough scrap to please their overseer and enough food to survive the night.

After the fight

The smell of burnt hair and old rust lingers in the tunnel. Searching the goblins' camp yields a surprising amount of industrial refuse, suggesting they have been picking the mine clean for months.

“The scavengers are the lowest caste, tasked with retrieving every bit of iron and copper left behind.”
From its lore

Variants

Bittervein Deep-Digger: Has a climbing speed of 20ft and a Pickaxe attack.
Scrap-Shaman: Can cast Mending and Light (as a green flame).

Hooks

Plot hooks

A local blacksmith wants a specific stolen family heirloom back from the scavengers.
The party finds a scavenger's sack containing a piece of a map to a deeper section of the mine.
A goblin scavenger follows the party, not to fight, but to wait and see what gear they drop or leave behind.

How to use it

Random encounter in the Bittervein Mine shafts.
A group discovered looting the corpse of a previous adventurer.
Sentries for a larger goblin encampment.

Treasure

1d6 silver pieces
Assorted rusted tools (3 lbs of iron scrap)
A half-chewed 'Mineral Bar' (actually just a dried root)

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