Orcs and goblins, collectively known as Greenskins, for obvious reasons, are a constant threat to all civilised peoples. They are violent and vicious, often seeming to fight among themselves for no discernable reason. When a strong enough leader bullies a bunch of them in line, however, they can turn their aggression outwards and become a threat to others.

Goblins are the main problem in the Empire, often lurking in the forests that blanket the land. They are short, rarely higher than 4 ft, and while their bands are rarely large enough to pose any serious threat to a military unit or a well-defended city, isolated farms and villages can become victim to their depradations.

Orcs are much larger and stronger cousins of goblins, but thankfully are rarely seen in the Empire. The Badlands to the far south, however, teem with Orc tribes. When a truly powerful leader can unite these tribes, however, they can burst forth upon civilised lands in a catastrophic wave of destruction. A century ago, just this happened during the reign of the weak Dieter IV, as a Greenskin tide poured through Black Fire Pass and laid waste to much of the Empire. It was Wilhelm Holswig-Schliestein's successful defence of the Reikland during this invasion that made him the obvious choice to ascend to the throne. But the invasion was never really defeated. The horde swept through the Empire, before taking to hastily constructed ships to sail away and continue their depredations in lands unknown. All fear a repeat of such destruction, and how much worse it could be if the invaders remained in human lands.

Dwarves have a particular hatred for Greenskins ('grobi' in Khazalid). The list of grudges recorded against orc and goblin tribes is vast; and many famous Dwarf holds are still infested by them. "The only good grobi is a dead grobi" is the general Dwarven consensus.