At first glance, these creatures appear to be normal hobgoblins. However, to creatures with darkvision, they glow. This glow, sometimes even visible when well lit, seems to concentrate particularly around the “business” portions of wielded weapons, and causes extra burning damage. Rope does not hold them for long, charring into ashes in a short time. They appear to be comfortable in direct contact with fire. Either they have fine control over this power, preventing them from burning their own clothes and equipment, or the latter are specially treated to resist heat.

They do not seem to directly handle metal – indeed, even an attack of which they are unaware has no effect if inflicted by a metal weapon. It seems likely that they can even walk through metal objects! Although they could probably ignore metal armour in unarmed combat, they do more damage with weapons, and therefore usually deal with armour normally.

Despite some qualities similar to fire elementals, as well as a limited phasing similar to that possessed by some earth elementals, they appear to have normal anatomy and physiology, vulnerable to poison, carefully directed attacks and a variety of magics.

Perhaps they are a race that has somehow adapted to live in an environment where the elemental planes of Fire and Earth meet.

Arcimboldo's Bestiary

PeterShea - 18 Mar 2009