Why do Goblins wear Masks?

[Mezolitik]

I found these descriptions on Google. I think the first is from a 1.0 item, when they were standard enemies in La Noscea.

A leather mask that filters out bad odors, as well as most poisonous gasses. Due to its odd shape, only goblins can wear it.

It sounds like they could be used for mining or something like that, but that doesn't explain why they wear them all the time.

They never take off their distinctive masks, and always bear seemingly unbearable packs on their back

Anything I've missed? Are they allergic to Miqo'te hair?

Thanks!

[Enkidoh]

The reference to 'filtering out bad odours' is actually a direct reference to their appearance in FFXI (which the XIV goblin model is directly based on). In FFXI, goblins were stated as being made physically ill by the odours of the five races, which wasn't a good thing due to their neutrality and general willingness to trade with the five races.

Hence, they were never seen without their odour-filtering face masks. I presume the same idea has been retained for their Eorzean version.

Incidentally, this is what a goblin apparently looks like without it's mask in FFXI (it's original concept art):

[Brady672]

It's probably that ^, but it looks damn cute on them.

[JeniLinsky]

They're space aliens. They can't breathe an oxygen/nitrogen atmosphere.

[Toranja]

Need more lore.

The lore thus far known doesn't match the design. There's no need to have their whole body covered, at the ears exception, and for the lenses be black.

Although, I can make an easy excuse for the black lenses, if their eyes evolved to the pitch dark of the mines - it would also explain the hears.

[Enkidoh]

I think you're confusing goblins with kobolds who are the trogdolytic beastman race - goblins were stated as being a transient race that prefer to live on the surface (hence their big travelling packs), and apparently go on long migrations around the realm at various times. But one of the loremasters here should be able to clarify it better than I can, as my info is second hand at best.

[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.

[Dotsusama]

I like to think the environmental hazards is a good explanation, because I thought that gobbie masks were like cute versions of plague doctor masks.

I mean even the description sort of matches. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plague_doctor

[Naria]

Ul'dah has welcomed them with open arms, but requires that they register with Mealvaan's Gate.

Do you mean Limsa?

[Anonymoose]

Do you mean Limsa?

Yeah, who knows why I wrote that twice, lol.