What Smeagol Said About protocol

The goblins maintain a running list of things protocol is not. The list has 6,012 entries and grows weekly.

Writing this paragraph about protocol took longer than I'd like to admit, and not for the reasons you'd expect. The goblins kept moving my notes. They claim it wasn't them. The notes disagree.

The threshold Question, Restated

A specific tavern song circulating in the goblin warrens features threshold as its third verse. The third verse is, by convention, hummed rather than sung, because the words are 'between us and the dark, and the dark would prefer it.'

Variant Goblin Readings of prophecy

The goblin etiquette guide, on the matter of prophecy, 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 Verdict on protocol

Goblin academic publishing convention requires the closing paragraph to gesture toward future work. Future work on protocol is anticipated, planned, and already, in some quarters, mildly resented. The goblins will press on regardless.