Kobold (Dungeons & Dragons)

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Dungeons & Dragons creature
Kobold
Alignment Lawful Evil
Type Humanoid
Subtype Reptilian (originally Goblinoid)
Source books
First appearance
Image Wizards.com image
Stats OGL stats

Kobolds are a fictional species featured In the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Aggressive, xenophobic, yet industrious small humanoid creatures, kobolds are noted for their skill at building traps and preparing ambushes. In the original Dungeons & Dragons game, Kobolds were considered goblinoids but they have been depicted as reptilian humanoids since the release of the first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game.

Contents

[edit] Ecology

In newer versions of the game, Kobolds are distantly related to dragons,[1] and are often found serving them as minions. Kobolds speak a version of draconic, with a yipping accent. In their original appearance in the canon, however, Kobolds are goblinoids and have their own distinct language, pantheon and culture. These early kobolds are often described as either rat- or dog-like.

In earlier editions of the game, there were also winged kobolds known as urds, who otherwise maintained separate societies from standard kobolds. These seem to have been replaced with a subset of Kobolds known as the Dragonwrought Kobolds, who occasionally have wings or other draconic qualities, and hold an elevated status in kobold society.

[edit] Environment

Kobolds are found in all climates and seem to prefer underground lairs. They are industrious miners and if left to their own devices can carve out massive tunnel complexes, which they rapidly fill to accomodate thanks to their rapid rate of reproduction.

[edit] Typical physical characteristics

Kobolds stand about 3' tall, with scaly hides, reptillian heads, and tails.

[edit] Alignment

Kobolds are usually lawful evil.

[edit] Society

Kobold society is influenced by their lawful evil alignment. They will plan and dig mines industriously, while laying cruel traps for interlopers. If they must confront an enemy, they will mass their troops for an ambush. Among the monstrous humanoids, they are known for cunning plans, unlike many they also share those plans among the tribe. General plans and goals are common knowledge, and detailed plans are shared with all who ask to allow them to work fruitfully for the good of the tribe.

Kobolds have specialized laborers, yet the majority of Kobolds are miners. Kobold prefer exile to execution, and in some disputes, Kobolds will split tribes in order to spread their kind over a larger region. Kobolds are also extremely fecund egg layers having the highest birth rate among humanoids and mature quickly, in 6 years. They often lay eggs in a common nest, with specialized foster parents to watch over the eggs and wyrmlings (young under 1 year).

[edit] Notable kobolds

The Kobold, as depicted in the video game Neverwinter Nights.
The Kobold, as depicted in the video game Neverwinter Nights.
  • Kol XIV was the high doge of Kol in the Broken Lands region of the Mystara campaign setting. Born Constantin Diocletius, he inherited his rulership from his parents. As a skilled politician he prevented the domination of Kol by King Thar making Kol an ally of Thar's. After the Wrath of the Immortals he became the prince of New Kolland in Glantri, the first humanoid to become a prince in that country. Kol XIV is middle aged and stands at four and a half. He has a thin white mustache. Usually he wears a red toga and a crown made of fungi.
  • Meepo is a lycanthropic Kobold who shows up in a number of settings and contexts.[3], such as the set War of the Dragon Queen for Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures.

[edit] Religion

The main deity of the Kobolds is Kurtulmak, the god of war and mining. The other main god worshipped by the Kobolds is Gaknulak the god of protection, stealth, trickery, and traps. A lesser-known Kobold demigod is Dakarnok.

[edit] Creative origins

The kobolds of Dungeons & Dragons share their name with Kobolds, a type of goblin or gnome in German folklore, but the creatures are otherwise unrelated.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Kestrel, Gwendolyn F.M., Wilkes, Jennifer Clarke, Liquette, Kolja Raven. Races of the Dragon (Wizards of the Coast, 2006).
  2. ^ Neverwinter Nights: Deekin's Big Adventure. Bioware. Retrieved on June 25, 2006.
  3. ^ Wiese, Robert. Meepo the Kobold Dragon-Keeper. Retrieved on June 25, 2006.

[edit] References

Dungeons & Dragons creatures

Creature types: AberrationAnimalConstructDragonElementalFeyGiantHumanoidMagical beastMonstrous humanoidOozeOutsiderPlantUndeadVermin

Categories: Dragonlance creaturesEberron creaturesStandard creaturesUndead creaturesSpelljammer creaturesGreyhawk creaturesForgotten Realms creaturesExtraplanar creatures

Lists of dragons: ChromaticDragonlanceGemMetallicPlanarOther