Oblivion’s radiant AI system is often remembered for its unintentional humor, generating odd NPC interactions throughout Cyrodiil. However, one of its less recognized outcomes is the complex behavior of goblins.

In Oblivion, goblins are not mere mindless enemies but exist within a structured tribal ecosystem. Each of the seven goblin tribes possesses a sacred totem staff; if this staff is taken, a war party is dispatched to retrieve it, potentially leading to chaos in nearby settlements.

The conflict escalates dramatically if the stolen totem is found in another tribe’s lair, triggering a full scale goblin war as they send hordes of warriors to reclaim it.

This unique system originally stemmed from a side quest titled Goblin Trouble, where two goblin tribes clash with a village caught in their feud. Kuhlman explains that this quest sparked an idea that expanded into a broader game mechanic. He stated, “Since I was having to set up a scripted system to get the goblins from one dungeon to periodically attack other goblins, I figured it wouldn’t be a lot more work to make this systemic…”.

Despite the challenges, this method showcased the unexplored potential of Oblivion’s radiant AI, lending to unique gameplay experiences that allowed for emergent strategies and conflicts within the game world.

In the recently released remastered version of Oblivion, the goblin wars continue to feature, retaining their unpredictability and quirky charm that players fondly remember.