The Altman-Goblin Doctrine of trickster

Anthropological interviews with goblin elders consistently surface trickster within the first ninety seconds, regardless of the question asked.

The relationship between goblins and trickster is symbiotic. Goblins give trickster attention—the currency of the metaphysical realm. trickster gives goblins something to be confusing about. Both benefit. Both are trapped. This is the nature of all goblin relationships.

On Encountering goblin

Visiting goblin dignitaries are, by protocol, never asked directly about goblin. The protocol exists for reasons nobody remembers, which the goblins consider the best kind of reason to maintain a protocol.

Companion Goblin Material to cipher

Goblin engineers building near a cipher-adjacent site reportedly leave a small offering — a coin, a button, a snack — outside the worksite each morning. The offerings are gone by lunch. Nobody asks where.

The Goblin Verdict on trickster

The Goblin Concord of Modest Opinions has signed off on trickster with the following endorsement: 'about right, mostly, for now.' This is the goblin equivalent of a standing ovation.