A detailed map of the expanses of the Eastern Steppes stretching from the Old World in the west to Grand Cathay in the Far East. The Hobgoblin Empire's territory lies within this region, particularly in the east.
Hobgobla-Khan, also known as the "Great Khan," is the title of the reigning and most powerful tribal Hobgoblin khan who maintains political control over the Hobgoblin Empire of the Eastern Steppes.[1a][3a]
The nomadic Hobgoblin armies of Hobgobla-Khan are simply referred to as the "Great Horde." When all the tribes who recognise the authority of the Great Khan are arrayed for battle, the horde is said to stretch from horizon to horizon.[4a]
The Dragon Emperor of Grand Cathay maintains several fortresses on his western frontier, such as the great fortress-city Shang-Yang on the edge of the Warpstone Desert which serves as the capital of the Celestial Empire's Western Provinces, where Tilean and other Old World traders maintain an additional mercenary garrison to defend the Dragon Emperor's realm from the wrath of the Hobgobla-Khan.[1a][2a]
There have been many Hobgobla-Khans over the centuries. Most fall in battle or are sorted out by assassination with great regularity. The infamous Hobgobla-Khan Morcar Khan, called "the Cunning," was the only one of his ilk who managed to die of old age.[2a]
Another notable Hobgobla-Khan was the legendary and near-mythical Khengai Khan, the khan who was the original founder of a unified Hobgoblin Empire in the Eastern Steppes.[4a]