Why do Goblins wear Masks?

[Anonymoose]

one of the loremasters here should be able to clarify it better than I can, as my info is second hand at best.

Official in-game canon is sparse. I've got what you've got basically...

They wear masks that filter odors and poisonous gasses, we haven't been told why (but we assume that's why they think their cheese doesn't smell just awful). So far we've only seen those who wear the brown respirator masks, and the Pshhh... Shkohhh... seen in text interactions with many goblins is likely the onomatopoeia for their use. They go on great pilgrimages every hundred years and we seem to be in the middle of the Eorzean branch of this one. They're clever, resourceful, and fiercely capitalistic. Those who don't "make it" often turn to a life of banditry, much like our own races. They remember their friends and favors done for them well, even better those who've slighted them. Ul'dah expelled all beast tribes from their borders in 1562, so the Goblins were not immediately welcomed upon their return. Since then, they've been deemed relatively harmless - at least no more dangerous than your average citizen. Ul'dah Limsa Lominsa has welcomed them with open arms, but requires that they register with Mealvaan's Gate. Many also make small tribes and settlements across the realm, so far the largest by far being Brayflox's Longstop.

What I do have are theories...

First of all, if you're nomadic, you're going to be running into different poisons and illnesses wherever you go. Goblins may very well just like clean, reliable air that is always familiar to their bodies. If you want something done right - do it yourself. Also, we must take into account that Goblins are proficient in mining, smithing, and alchemy - fumes and mineral dust would be an issue solved by masks.

Also, there's this tidbit... One levequest in Limsa Lominsa involves the purchase of a sizable quantity of ore from goblins that are hollowing out a mountain to build a city. If this is the case, we may be able to assume that a lot of the FFXI lore still applies. Oldton Movalpolos was a city much like the Goblins seem to be building on Vylbrand, and they, too, sold the ore removed from the build to surrounding towns. We may be getting ready to meet our very own newly founded tribe of Moblins in the near future - permanent, underground residents similar to the kobold. Underground mining, smithing, and alchemy? Definitely going to need some masks.