Ipgrix was a Goblin born to a small, nomadic tribe that roamed and hid along the broken coast and flatlands of Scyseti's Reach. The clan survived by avoiding notice, preying on stranded travelers, and watching the sea from cover. This caution failed when the tribe attempted to ambush a lone ship docked along the coast, believing it to be an easy target. The vessel instead belonged to pirates of the Siren's Isles, who were surveying the shoreline for future raids.
The encounter ended in a massacre. Most of the goblins were killed in the fighting or hunted down afterward. Ipgrix survived by surrendering and debasing himself before the pirates, who chose to keep the humorous goblin alive as a slave rather than waste the effort of killing him. He spent years swabbing decks, hauling cargo, and performing menial labor aboard pirate vessels. During this time, he observed their dealings closely, learning how they moved goods, bribed officials, concealed cargo, and spoke to merchants and fences in port towns. Through the pirates, he gained his first real exposure to structured trade, coin, and the workings of coastal civilization.
Eventually, Ipgrix escaped the crew, stealing a small dinghy and vanishing along the coast. He attempted to imitate what he had seen, styling himself a smuggler despite lacking allies or protection. He made repeated, dangerous trips between the Scycaen Imperium and the Common League, offering contraband directly on the docks. He spoke both Scycaen and Common poorly, but was able to mix words and phrases into a broken patter that earned him attention as much as business. He adopted grandiose aliases such as "Iprix the Go-Getter", “Great-Pirate Ipgrix”, and “The Golden Goblin,” attempting to project importance he did not possess.
His activities ended in Fang's End, where he was arrested while in possession of several illicit luxury goods and multiple minor Wondrous Items. The goblin was convicted of smuggling contraband from Scycae, transported to Bleak End, and sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment as prisoner 299.