Runnyeye Citadel

A relatively few years ago, Xorbb, a powerful member of the evil eye race, befuddle and enslaved goblins of Clan Runnyeye. During the takeover, a fair-sized contingent of goblins fled the citadel, refusing to submit to Xorbb and their now compromised king.

Taking refuge in the vast cavern and tunnel system found beneath the Serpent's Spine Mountains, they named themselves Clan Pickclaw in reference to all the mining that became their occupation. The Pickclaws thrived and built a modest settlement while their combat skills were sharpened by their frequent raids of High Keep, motivated mostly by a need for supplies. But during this time they did not forget about Xorbb and his minions. Goblins are accustomed to being enemies of all, but they marked Xorbb as a special foe, and vowed to one day reclaim their home.

Their cause was abetted by Xorbb himself who grew complacent, as the remaining goblins in Runnyeye were well under his thrall and quite weak. The goblin leader Lord Pickclaw knew of Xorbb's lax security thanks to well-placed spies placed in the citadel. When he felt the time was right he struck, catching the evil eyes by complete surprise. His warriors, hardened by years of battle in and around High Keep, and his magic-users, far more capable after raiding High Keep's human libraries and capturing human mages, rolled over the weakened defenders of Runnyeye Citadel.

Runnyeye was liberated. The evil eyes fell back to the Gorge of King Xorbb, where they were well-protected and had enslaved minotaurs and mudmen to do their bidding.

Unique among goblins, Lord Pickclaw does not hate other races on sight – though he and his kin have long memories, tending to hold grudges against those who have wronged them. An adventurer who has had no contact with the Pickclaws in the past has a fair chance of maintaining a non-lethal relationship with them, especially if assistance against Xorbb is pledged.

This book is titled "History of the Runnyeye Goblins, Vol. III". It chronicles the history of the goblins from when they made a new home in the Bog Mountain to the present.

1 NR - Many uncounted years would pass as the goblins would aimlessly wander throughout the world. Not possessing any powers of creation, they could no longer "make" a home and had to find something that already existed and could support their numbers. Eventually they would find a new home deep inside a cavern.

4 NR - Soon after they settled, the goblins would be assaulted by monstrous bull-men. Having neither the size or the weapons to stop them, the goblins would retaliate with suicidal charges against the minotaur's villages. After many of these death squads would run to their deaths, enough minotaur axes were secured by the goblins to allow them to fight on even terms.

20 NR- The wars between the minotaurs and the goblins would continue until a third party would appear. A large eyeball, much larger than a goblin, began communicating with the goblins. It asked to speak with the Big King, and when the meeting was over with, the Big King announced to his people that they would be called "Runnyeye".

21 NR - With the help of the Great Eyes, the goblins would overpower the minotaurs and put an end to the war. The subjugated minotaurs were then brought before the Great Eyes and made to bow their knees to their new masters. The now mentally controlled minotaurs took no time in conquering the unassuming goblins.

21 - 600 NR - The goblins, under the mental domination of the Great Eyes, would spend many years in a cruel form of captivity. Acting as the menial labor for the Great Eyes, the goblins would be forced to perform all manner of evil actions. This would continue for many centuries to come.

600 NR - The Rending would change the face of Norrath, causing the lands to shift. No longer attached to the rest of the world, the Runnyeye goblins would find that their Great Eye masters would spend much of their time away from their minions. This would be the beginning of the end for the Great Eyes.