The Goblin Corps (2011)

About this item

Morthul, the dreaded Charnel King, has failed. Centuries of plotting from the heart of the Iron Keep, deep within the dark lands of Kirol Syrreth—all for naught. Foiled at the last by the bumbling efforts of a laughable band of so-called heroes, brainless and over-muscled cretins without sense enough to recognize a hopeless cause when they take it on. Machinations developed over generations, schemes intended to deliver the world into the Dark Lord's hands, now devastated beyond salvation. But the so-called forces of Light have paid for their meddling with the life of Princess Amalia, only child of the royal family of Shauntille. Now, as winter solidifies its icy grip on the passes of the Brimstone Mountains, disturbing news has reached the court of Morthul. King Dororam, enraged by the murder of his only child—and accompanied by that same group of delusional upstart "heroes"—is assembling all the Allied Kingdoms, fielding an army unlike any seen before. The armies of Kirol Syrreth muster to meet the attack that is sure to come as soon as the snows have melted from the mountain paths, but their numbers are sorely depleted. Still, after uncounted centuries of survival, the Dark Lord isn't about to go down without a fight, particularly in battle against a mortal! No, the Charnel King still has a few tricks up his putrid and tattered sleeves, and the only thing that can defeat him now...may just be the inhuman soldiers on whom he's pinned his last hopes. Welcome to the Goblin Corps. May the best man lose. Review "Marmell has cleverly turned the bad guys into good guys without cleaning up a single drop of blood or amending anyone's ill manners. The Goblin Corps serves up gore and guile with a side of amusement —a great read for anyone who's ever wondered what the world looks like from the sinister side!" -- Kevin Hearne , author of The Iron Druid Chronicles "Marmell turns familiar fantasy and gaming tropes on their heads in a compelling story laced with surprises and vivid action." -- Howard Andrew Jones , author of The Desert of Souls "It's sloppy, smelly, creepy, funny, pulpy, loud rambunctious fun with a side of humanoid racial stereotyping and heaps of amusing violence...This book is schlocky in the best way, rip-snorting fun, a ride through the sewers and up to the heights...[I] commend Mr. Marmell for a job well done." -- Kobald Quarterly , Issue 18, Summer 2011 "It's sloppy, smelly, creepy, funny, pulpy, loud rambunctious fun with a side of humanoid racial stereotyping and heaps of amusing violence...This book is schlocky in the best way, rip-snorting fun, a ride through the sewers and up to the heights...[I] commend Mr. Marmell for a job well done." -- Kobald Quarterly , Issue 18, Summer 2011 "It's sloppy, smelly, creepy, funny, pulpy, loud rambunctious fun with a side of humanoid racial stereotyping and heaps of amusing violence...This book is schlocky in the best way, rip-snorting fun, a ride through the sewers and up to the heights...[I] commend Mr. Marmell for a job well done." -- Kobald Quarterly , Issue 18, Summer 2011 About the Author Ari Marmell is a novelist and a freelance writer of role-playing games. His previous novels include The Conqueror's Shadow , Agents of Artifice , Black Crusade , and Gehenna: The Final Night . He frequently writes for Wizards of the Coast and has worked in various capacities on Dungeons & Dragons . He has also worked for White Wolf Publishing, Green Ronin, Paizo Publishing, and Fantasy Flight Games.