Hobgoblins have been changed as of last patch to no longer be group (chevron) mobs. They still have some nasty abilities - shaman caster, and pressure point armor come to mind, but they are definitely doable solo now.
Made using Schematic: Student's Shawl (found mine in a supply crate)
Requires:
1 x Novice Shawl Basis
1 x Improved Cloth Cord
1 x Celestium Dust of Acuity
He has a handful of quests after "Borrowed Weapons" as well. One where you have to kill Larcs the Weaponmaster to get a stolen schematic, and then one after that where you have to kill a Gadai Bandit with a Rusted Dagger equipped. That one appears to be the last one in his quest line (as of the time of this writing) unless there are faction requirements for further quests.
Spoiler Alert-
[Spoiler]Speak to Elara in Demith (AVP) to start quest.
Speak to Master Zavi at Shaman pond in Thronefast.
Turn in 3 items to Zavi to receive the antidote
-1 Brightcap Mushroom (found in Halnirs Cave, tradeable)
-1 Ratkin Blood (found in Halnirs Cave, tradeable)
-1 Heart of Nightbane Toad (no trade, spawns at night, toads are placeholders, shaman pond and wizard tower confirmed locations)
Speak to Elara in Demith (AVP) and turn in the antidote to receive the robe and 2500xp. It looks like a tunic.[/spoiler]
Spent an hour at shaman pond killing toads during night cycle on 3 different shards, couldn't find him.
Went to caster tower and he was already up during the day.
Killed him twice with a group of 10/10/9/8. Lots of resists/misses, so we just kited around the rock when needed. He dropped the skinning knife both times.
Just to note, the "trash" mobs around the Manor can drop several good items. Here are a few I have found recently:
(1) Ethereal Long sword - 7 dmg, 2.8 delay, 1 str, 1 agi (1H Blade Weapon)
(2) Ethereal Dagger - 5 dmg, 2.4 delay, 1 agi, 1 dex (dagger)
(3) Ethereal Great Axe - 15 dmg, 4.1 delay, 1 str, 1 stam (Great Axe)
(4) Ethereal Chain Gauntlets - 14 AC, 1 dex, 1 cha - (Chain, Hands)
(5) Ethereal Chain Hauberk - 28 AC, 1 str, 1 stam (Chain, Chest)
Killed 12/29/24 - Level 26 now not level 21, dropped Ring of the Drawn - no stat ring that only says ''Equipping this ring has a strange effect..." , ring gives permanent illusion to look like one of the Drawns while it is equipped. https://imgur.com/a/6q2KIJd