Queen Grabstab is the leader of the Biting Ant tribe of Batiri goblins inhabiting Yellyark, a village built on a mobile platform that can be launched into the air to escape predators. She rules over a tribe of forty goblins total, including twenty-four adults and fifteen children.
Leadership and Family
As a goblin boss, Queen Grabstab commands the tribe from her hut, which despite being no larger than other dwellings, is guarded by two goblins at all times. She lives with four additional goblins—her adult children who also serve as her attendants. The queen and her attendants spend time bickering amongst themselves over internal tribal matters.
Key Possession
Queen Grabstab unknowingly possesses one of the adventure’s most significant magic items: a bronze and adamantine medallion etched with the word “Vorn.” This is the control amulet for a shield guardian, though neither she nor any of her tribe understand its true nature or connection to the construct they worship as a minor deity.
One of her attendants carries the key to the wooden cage (area 4) on a rope around their neck.
Tribal Context
The Biting Ant tribe wears stylized wooden ant masks and marks their territory with enemy skulls. They maintain constant vigilance through sentries and tripwires, as their survival depends on early warning of approaching predators. The tribe’s ingenious defense mechanism—a spring-loaded platform that can launch their entire village a thousand yards through the jungle—demonstrates their adaptation to Chult’s dangers.