Kobold

The Kobolds’ history begins with the event they call the First Digging, a moment that forever shaped their culture and connection to the earth. According to their tales, their ancestors were once scattered and directionless, eking out a fragile existence in the bright, scary aboveground. It was during this bleak time that a relentless voice began to echo in the minds of the early Kobolds, urging them to dig in one particular spot. Drawn by an inexplicable compulsion, the Kobolds worked tirelessly, clawing through the earth until they unearthed what would come to define their existence: the good glow rocks.

These rocks, eternally luminous and warm to the touch, immediately fascinated the Kobolds. One of the bigger kobolds, known as Glowtooth, recognized the immense value of these rocks as a source of light in the dark and began hoarding them with his kin. This discovery allowed the Kobolds to expand their tunnels and form rudimentary settlements without fear of the suffocating darkness. However, the true significance of the good glow rocks would not be realized until an accidental and fateful encounter with one of their kind.

During a particularly dangerous expedition, a Kobold named Nib became separated from the group and lost in an uncharted tunnel. Starving and desperate, Nib heard the voice of a glowing rock urging him to take a bite. Though hesitant, Nib succumbed to his hunger and discovered that the rock was not only edible but also immensely nutritious. To the amazement of his kin, when Nib finally found his way back to the main cavern, his fur glowed with radiant patterns, illuminating the way. This discovery revolutionized the Kobold way of life, with glowing rocks becoming both sustenance and a means of illumination during digs.

In their subsequent fervor, however, the Kobolds initially failed to distinguish between the good glow rocks and the bad rocks. Many early Kobolds were lured by deceptive whispers from malicious stones, which promised power and led to dire consequences. These rocks would sap the spirits of those who consumed them, leaving the victims as hollow, lifeless husks or mindless wanderers, cursed to haunt the tunnels they once called home. Giz is the most common story told about trusting the wrong rocks. The tales of these early victims, immortalized in Kobold oral tradition, serve as cautionary tales, warning future generations of the dangers of blindly trusting the rocks’ whispers.

The pivotal moment in Kobold history came when they realized that all rocks, to some extent, could speak. This discovery solidified the good glow rocks as more than mere resources—they were allies and mentors, imparting wisdom and guiding the Kobolds in their endeavors. Under the glow rocks’ guidance, the Kobolds learned to carve protective effigies, fashion glowing charms, and paint sigils that could repel the malevolent influence of the bad rocks. These traditions became sacred rituals within Kobold society, creating a deep and enduring reverence for the glow rocks and their teachings.

Today, the Kobolds are masterful diggers, fiercely loyal to their glowing guides, and ever wary of the dangers that lurk beneath the earth. Their culture is a unique blend of ingenuity, caution, and trust in the luminous whispers of their rocky mentors, reflecting their remarkable journey from aimless scavengers to the resourceful, resilient people they are now.

Kobolds dig primarily to find resources, expand their territory, and follow the guidance of their Big Glow Rock Boss. Each tribe’s goals and digging practices are shaped by the rock their leader first followed:

General Motivations

Glow Rocks: Their primary goal is to find and harvest glow rocks, which are vital for sustenance, light, and their bioluminescent abilities.
Shinies: Kobolds hoard shiny objects like gemstones, precious metals, and anything reflective. These are treasured as both personal wealth and status symbols.
Worm Burrows: Finding glow worms is another priority, as they provide a renewable light source and are treated with reverence.
Nest Expansion: Kobolds constantly dig to expand their cave systems and create secure, hidden homes.

Tribal-Specific Goals

Nice Glow Rocks Tribe: These tribes seek out good glow rocks that provide light and sustenance without harm. They create expansive, well-lit cave systems with glowing carvings and shrines to their rocks.
Generally cheerful and cooperative, these kobolds create beautiful underground homes lit by their glowing fur and carvings.
Bad Rock Followers: The kobolds under the sway of bad rocks act as a hive mind, driven by dark whispers to dig in directions dictated by the rock’s voice. Their goal is often spreading the influence of their corrupted leader rock.
Their fur may darken, and their glowing patterns could take on sinister shapes. Their caves are ominous and poorly lit, filled with effigies to their corrupt rock.
Rock Rock Tribe: These kobolds dig primarily for the ceremonial "Rock Rocks." When a tribe member reaches the end of their life or faces certain death, they eat a Rock Rock to become a glowing petrified statue, standing as eternal lights along paths, in communal chambers, or near sacred sites.
These kobolds are deeply ritualistic, with glowing statues scattered throughout their territory. They treat these petrified ancestors as revered guardians and lights of their history.
Other Tribes: Tribes may follow unique rocks with specific properties, such as rocks that emit calming vibrations, enhance physical strength, or even allow limited telepathic communication.
Kobolds following a particularly rare type of rock may have unique features or quirks, such as increased intelligence, a tendency toward aggression, or even strange magical abilities.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Kobolds are small, wiry humanoid creatures uniquely adapted for their subterranean lifestyle. Their skeletal structure is lightweight but durable, designed to facilitate agility and dexterity rather than brute strength. Their frames are compact, allowing them to navigate tight spaces with ease, and their bones are slightly flexible, which helps to absorb impact during falls or sudden movements in uneven terrain.

Limbs and Locomotion

Kobolds are bipedal, with two powerful hind legs and two oversized, dexterous arms. Their hands are large relative to their body size, with elongated fingers tipped by sharp claws. These claws are perfectly adapted for digging, climbing, and defending themselves when necessary. Their legs are slightly digitigrade, ending in clawed feet that provide excellent traction on rocky surfaces. This configuration gives Kobolds a distinctive gait and an ability to climb vertical surfaces with surprising speed.

Muscular Build

Kobolds have a wiry muscular system designed for endurance and flexibility. Their muscles are lean but dense, enabling them to perform repetitive digging motions without tiring quickly. Their upper bodies are especially well-developed, as their arms and shoulders bear the brunt of their digging and climbing activities. Despite their small size, Kobolds are deceptively strong, capable of moving rocks and debris several times their weight.

Ecology and Habitats

Subterranean Caves and Tunnel Networks

Structure: Kobold homes are sprawling networks of caves, tunnels, and chambers carved by their own industrious digging. These labyrinthine systems serve as homes, workshops, storage spaces, and gathering areas.
Rock Composition: Kobolds prefer areas rich in glow rocks, particularly those of the good variety. These rocks are both a source of light and nutrition, so their settlements often center around deposits of these valuable minerals.
Natural Defenses: The winding, uneven passages they create are intentionally confusing to outsiders, offering protection against intruders. Traps, false tunnels, and collapsible pathways are common features.

Habitat: Kobolds prefer dark, enclosed spaces like caves, abandoned mines, or the ruins of underground cities. They use the natural darkness to their advantage, often setting up ambushes for intruders.

Behaviour

Behavior and Personality

Third-Person Speech: They refer to themselves in the third person, simplifying language as though mimicking speech they've overheard:
"Me no fight. You strong!"
"Shiny thing mine now!"
"This Mip's cave. You go away, or Mip bite!"
Tribal Dynamics: Each kobold "tribe" is led by the strongest or cleverest member (loosely termed the "Big Boss"). They live in tight-knit groups, fiercely loyal to their own and deeply wary of outsiders.
Hostility from Fear: Kobolds are quick to attack when they feel threatened, using ambushes and traps. However, their aggression is born of fear rather than malice, as they know their small stature makes them vulnerable.

Combat and Social Dynamics

Tactics in Battle: Kobolds fight in swarms, relying on numbers to overwhelm opponents. They use their size to dart in and out of combat, striking from unexpected angles.
Hierarchy and Cowardice: When their leader falls or their numbers dwindle, the remaining kobolds are likely to flee. If cornered, they beg for mercy in their limited speech:
"No hurt Mip! Mip give shiny!"
Mercy Wins Loyalty: Sparing a kobold after a fight creates a curious and submissive ally. This kobold might provide guidance through dangerous areas, bring gifts (often junk), or warn their tribe about the victor’s strength.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Sight

Kobold vision is perfectly adapted for life underground, though it has specific limitations:

Darkvision: They can see well in complete darkness without external light sources, though their vision in such conditions is monochromatic and lacks fine detail.
Bioluminescent Fur: After consuming glow rocks, Kobolds develop bioluminescent patterns unique to their natural fur markings. This provides them with limited light for navigating tunnels and seeing nearby objects. The glow fades as the effects of the glow rocks diminish.
Light Sensitivity: Kobolds are highly vulnerable to bright light, which can temporarily blind them. They often wear head scarves or masks to pull over their eyes when they breach into surface light or find themselves in an illuminated area underground.

Smell

Kobolds have an exceptional sense of smell, which compensates for their otherwise unremarkable senses. This ability is critical for survival and exploration:

Air Quality Detection: They can smell changes in the air, such as nearby water sources, gas leaks, or shifts in airflow that might indicate hidden passages or dangers.
Identifying Rocks: Kobolds use their noses to identify different types of glow rocks, distinguishing between the good, bad, and neutral varieties before consuming or using them if they don't talk.
Tracking: While not predators, Kobolds can use scent trails to follow each other, locate food, or avoid dangerous creatures.

Civilization and Culture

Major Language Groups and Dialects

They speak a broken common dialect, probably learned by the first Kobolds being near humans a long time ago.

Common Dress Code

Clothing Style

Practical and Patchwork: Kobolds wear simple, rugged clothing made from scraps of fabric, leather, or hide scavenged from their environment. Their garments are often patched together and functional, prioritizing ease of movement and durability.
Neck Protection: Every kobold wears a bone or stone mask, scarf, or strip of cloth on their head. This serves a dual purpose:
To pull over their eyes to shield them from the brightness when they accidentally breach the surface or encounter sunlight.
As a sign of individuality, often dyed or decorated with patterns that reflect their personality or tribal allegiance.
Bone and Stone Jewelry: Kobolds love adorning themselves with small tokens, like carved bone pendants, polished stone beads, and pieces of glowing rocks. These items are strung into necklaces, bracelets, and anklets, serving as both decoration and protective charms.
Glow Charms: Tiny pieces of glow rock are encased in wire or leather pouches and worn as amulets to repel dark influences. These charms are seen as blessings from good rocks.
Effigy Totems: Some kobolds carry tiny wooden or stone effigies carved to look like fierce guardians or benevolent glow worms. These are hung from belts or worn as pendants, sometimes thrown as last ditch defense efforts.

Common Items on Kobolds

Glow Rock Satchels: Small pouches filled with pebbled glow rocks.
Glow Worm Cages: Tiny, woven cages containing glow worms for emergencies or as portable light sources.
Stone Tools: Crude but effective tools made from sharpened stones, used for detail digging or self-defense.
Effigies and Charms: Totems, carved trinkets, or glowing amulets tied to their belts or worn around their necks.
Bone Daggers: Simple weapons carved from animal bones, sometimes adorned with glow rock fragments.
Patchwork Capes: Short cloaks or capes pieced together from scavenged fabric, used to protect against cold or dirt during digs or to hide ones bioluminescent fur patterns out of frustration or anger with another kobold, akin to "walking away" by hiding its identifying fur.
Shiny Hoard Tokens: Small shiny objects, like coins or polished metal scraps, often tied to their clothes for decoration and to show off their finds.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Glow Rock Eaters: Mordian kobolds consider glowing rocks sacred. Eating these rocks gives them temporary bioluminescent abilities, which they use to light their caves and tunnels.
Rock Voices: They believe the glowing rocks "talk" to them, guiding their actions. There are "good rocks" that provide sustenance and safety, and "bad rocks" that try to deceive and harm them.
"Good rocks make good glow. They say, 'Eat me, make bright!' Bad rocks, they lie. Bad rocks make Giz like shadow. Giz no Giz now."
Glow Worms as Allies: Glow worms are kept and bred in woven cages or special chambers in their caves. The worms’ light serves as a backup source for long-term illumination when glow rocks are scarce. Kobolds treat these worms with reverence, feeding them scraps and creating little "worm shrines."
"Worms smart, not talk bad like rocks. Worms glow always. Worms friends!"
Effigies and Wards: Kobolds create carvings and crude effigies to keep away the influence of "bad rocks" and other malevolent underground forces. These wards are often placed at the entrances to their caves or near their sleeping chambers.

Rock-Based Decision Making: Their faith in rocks extends to important decisions. Tribal leaders consult "rock voices" for guidance, and disputes are often resolved by listening to the most trusted glowing stones.
"Big shiny rock say we dig here. No argue with big shiny!"
Rituals and Rock Songs: Kobolds sing to their rocks, believing the vibrations strengthen their glow and keep the bad rocks silent. These songs are often nonsensical chants accompanied by rhythmic banging on stones.
Tribal Knowledge: Stories about specific rocks and their "voices" are passed down orally, often as warnings or teachings.
"Mean Rock glow bright but talk mean. Never eat Mean Rock. Make Giz like shadow. Giz no Giz now."

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

Rock Talk

What It Is: A daily ritual where the Kobolds listen to the voices of their glow rocks for guidance and warnings about the day ahead.
How It Works:
At the start of each day, Kobolds gather around their hoard of glow rocks or other significant rocks within their cave dwellings.
An elder or chosen leader, called the Rock Hearer, will interpret what they believe the rocks say. Everyone can hear it, but mainly the elders who have listened for a long time can properly understand the more fluent way the rocks talk.
The messages they receive are cryptic but seen as essential for planning the day's activities.
Examples include warnings like, “Nice glow rock say no dig today, bad for hands. Dig tomorrow. Sit now."
These messages are considered sacred and followed to avoid danger, especially in areas where the Kobolds dig.

Glow Worm Fostering

What It Is: A childhood tradition where young Kobolds are entrusted with a glow worm to care for and nurture.
Purpose:
This practice teaches Kobolds the importance of responsibility and empathy.
Young Kobolds learn to value the safety the glow worms provide and the respect they demand by giving their light freely.
The Process:
A glow worm is given to each young Kobold during their first year, and they are responsible for ensuring it has enough food, warmth, and safety.
As the glow worm matures and begins to glow brightly, it becomes a sign of the young Kobold’s maturity and connection to the tribe's customs.
A ceremony is held when the glow worm reaches its full glow, marking the child's transition into a young adult.

The First Rock

What It Is: A significant coming-of-age ceremony where young Kobolds are allowed to select their first personal glow rock from the tribe's hoard of "important glow rocks."
Purpose:
The First Rock symbolizes a Kobold's readiness to contribute to the tribe and make their own decisions.
It is a deeply personal moment, as the Kobold will carry their chosen rock with them, using it for guidance or protection as they grow.
The Ritual:
The young Kobold approaches the tribe's hoard of glow rocks, usually stored in a communal space within the cave.
With the elder's blessing, they are allowed to select the rock that “calls” to them most, often by instinct or gut feeling.
Afterward, the young Kobold is expected to keep the rock safe, as it is their guide..
The chosen glow rock is typically worn as a pendant, bracelet, anklet, circlet, etc or placed in a sacred spot within the Kobold’s dwelling.

Glow Fur See

What It Is: A coming-of-age ceremony where the Kobold’s fur darkens and their unique pattern becomes visible, marking their transition into adulthood.
Purpose:
This ritual is seen as an important milestone, where the Kobold’s fur patterns are believed to predict their fate or future.
The ceremony, known as Glow Fur See, allows the Kobolds to interpret the new fur patterns of the young adult in a way that blends tradition, superstition, and humor (to non-Kobolds).
The Ritual:
When a young Kobold's fur begins to darken and the patterns of glowing fur become clearly visible, the elder Kobolds perform the Glow Fur See.
The elder examines the pattern carefully, interpreting its shape and markings as auguries. The interpretations are often humorous, cryptic, and sometimes eerily accurate in their own way.
An example might be, "Many little dots like pebbles on back… you die of rock fall one day." or, "Big swirl on belly… you drink bad water, no live no more."
Though largely symbolic and nonsensical, these interpretations are taken seriously by the Kobolds and shared as stories for future generations.

Common Taboos

Eating a glow worm
Leaving glow worms unattended
Stealing someone else's glow rock
Digging in a new direction without consulting the Big Boss Glow Rock

Common Myths and Legends

The Story of Giz and the Bad Rock

Long ago, Giz was kobold. Giz small, Giz scared. Giz no like dark. Dark bad. Glow rock good. Glow rock bright. Glow rock safe.

One day, Giz dig. Giz dig deep, deep in ground. Giz find glow rock. Glow rock bright, glow rock pretty. But glow rock no sound like other glow rocks. Glow rock say, "Giz, Giz eat me. I make you strong. No need tribe, no need more glow. Giz be strongest. Giz be great.”

Giz stop. Giz think. Giz like idea. Strong is good. Giz no like being small, Giz no like being scared. Tribe say, "Listen glow rock. Glow rock know good." So Giz listen. Rock sound nice. Rock sound true.

Giz eat glow rock. At first, Giz feel big. Feel strong. But then… Giz feel strange. Giz glow wrong. Giz glow cold. Giz fur stop glow. Giz no feel good. Giz no feel light. Giz only feel… dark.

Giz try speak. Giz no can. Giz try walk. Giz no can. Tribe find Giz, but Giz no talk. Giz no move. Giz not Giz anymore.

Elders say, "Bad rock trick Giz. Bad rock lie. Bad rock say strong, but bad rock steal Giz. Bad rock take spirit, take glow, take everything.”

Now tribe say, “Glow rock good, but listen careful. Not all glow rock good. Good rock speak safe. Bad rock speak lie. Bad rock trick, bad rock take.”

Little kobolds learn Giz story. Elders say, "Glow no make rock good. Voice make rock good. Listen careful. Glow can lie, voice cannot."

And so, kobolds remember Giz. They listen good. They trust good glow rock. Bad rock say give, but bad rock steal. Bad rock take your light. Bad rock take you.

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