The Goblin National Guard's new lapel pins, hailed as a tactical innovation, are now the subject of a heated debate after a sharp rise in combat casualties. The pins were meant to stop goblins getting lost. Critics say their reflective surface has made soldiers easier targets for enemy forces.
"The battlefield is no place for a disco ball," said a veteran sergeant, who escaped capture because he had taken his pin off in a hurry. "Those things glint in the sun like a dragon's hoard. We're sitting ducks for snipers and archers."
Ministry of Defense figures seem to support the claim. The number of soldiers killed in action has risen significantly since the pins were issued. Goblins who were once lost for a few days of foraging or mischief and then wandered back to their units are now being spotted and eliminated before they get home.
The Goblin Gaming Group, which makes the pins, defended its product. "Our lapel pins are not to blame," said Glurp, the Group's CEO. "The real issue is the incompetence of our goblin commanders, who clearly are not using proper tactics. Perhaps they should spend less time gambling at the Lucky Leprechaun's Lair and more time studying military history."
The Council, under pressure from grieving families and angry veterans, has opened an inquiry. With the Group's influence growing and the Council's reputation damaged by recent scandals, few expect meaningful change. The pins look good on parade and are proving a liability in the field.
