A warmongering hobgoblin stronghold by Chris Ostrowski

Hobgoblins

Slightly based on myth and culture

Hobgoblins originated from the United Kingdom in the 1530s. The word hobgoblin comes from the old english words hob, meaning "homeless, or elf" (Hobo for an example), and goblin, meaning "ugly person". They are described as short, lanky humanoids with dark skin, hairy backs, and big pointy ears. Hobgoblins in d&d however, are much more like blood-lusting humanoids resembling Japanese kabuki, and wearing traditional samurai armor.

In mythology

Puck the hobgoblin from Shakespeare's "A midsummers night dream" in the 1530s

A Japanese kabuki sculpture on research-gate

An example of traditional Japanese samurai armor made by Camel studios