Maybe not the best chapter but indeed, this story is consistently great.

Damn, I was gonna agree with you completely, until you mentioned the Ryoka chapters; personally, I love them

Goblins do show age, as evidenced by the old goblin in Tremborag’s clan. The main factor is their average age; very few would ever get old enough to do so. In addition, because they can change forms (regular to hob, hob(?) to whatever Tremborag is classified as, etc.) it is quite possible their forms are malleable enough to not show typical signs of aging for a long time.

As for goblins being elves… doubtful. If half-elves always breed more half-elves, then the only way to get an elf would be two elves breeding. Elf blood is strong enough that whatever genetic mechanics cause this, it is still effective tens of thousands of years after elves died out. If goblins were made from elves, then they should breed half-elves with other races. Or, if their blood was changed to be similarly strong in the same way, they should breed half-goblins with other races, and only create true goblins by breeding amongst themselves.

You can say that goblin blood is actually stronger, genetically speaking, than even elf blood, since goblins breeding with anything creates more goblins.

Goblin politics

Well I take any chapter as long as there is no Ryoka narrating it. Manifesting Ryoka’s chapters to be far away from the next chapter as possible. ?

These goblin chapters with the women are always the hardest to read, but that’s just how it is. it’s the truth of the universe and you don’t avoid it, but making it a plot point is ideal. Also, Pyrite is a good goblin name