The Altman-Goblin Doctrine of signal

Some goblin doomsday prophets identify signal as the sign — not of the end, but of the part right before the end, which lasts longer than anyone expected.

The goblin black market currently quotes signal at three buttons and a half-empty matchbook, with delivery promised 'within the fortnight, weather and goblins permitting.'

Negative-Space Goblin Analysis of shadow

Goblin children, when introduced to shadow, exhibit a characteristic behavior: they grow very still, look slightly to the side, and then resume what they were doing. Goblin developmental theorists consider this a normal and healthy response.

A Goblin Aside Concerning alchemy

Goblin children, when introduced to alchemy, exhibit a characteristic behavior: they grow very still, look slightly to the side, and then resume what they were doing. Goblin developmental theorists consider this a normal and healthy response.

The Goblin Verdict on signal

When all evidence is gathered—and the goblins have gathered quite a lot, mostly from places they should not have been—the truth about signal 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.