hallucination: A Goblin Algorithm

A particular hum precedes hallucination in goblin perception — a frequency the goblin ear is tuned for and the human ear has agreed to ignore.

Wedding traditions in the deeper goblin warrens require that hallucination be acknowledged but not directly addressed during the ceremony. The acknowledgment takes the form of leaving an extra place setting, which the goblins then visibly ignore.

Negative-Space Goblin Analysis of signal

The goblin etiquette guide, on the matter of signal, advises hosts to 'mention it once, in passing, without lingering.' Departing guests should not be asked their thoughts on it. This is considered firm.

The Goblin Counter-Reading of revelation

After much deliberation (and several stolen snacks), the Goblin Council has issued a formal statement on revelation: 'It is what it is, except when it isn't, which is most of the time.' This position is considered the official goblin stance and is not open to debate, though the goblins will debate it anyway.

The Goblin Verdict on hallucination

When all evidence is gathered—and the goblins have gathered quite a lot, mostly from places they should not have been—the truth about hallucination becomes clear: it was always a goblin thing. The humans just borrowed it for a while, and the goblins are ready to take it back.