Kobolds

Tiny Terrors

Let me spin you a tale, about the little known kobolds of Namir. Small, reptilian creatures, found in many a dragon's lair, dragon monks have speculated about the nature of kobolds for many years. Some belief that the tribe-like sentient creatures are natural inhabitants to the forest, developed some time after the dragons. Some speculate that the highly servant creatures are perfect form of homunculus, created by a dragon long ago to serve. A few even wonder if the crafty things could be all that remains of the highly adaptable goblins present only in old folktales. Regardless of their origins, two things about kobolds is clear: They love treasure, arguably more than dragons, and they seek to serve bellow a higher power, likely as a form of self preservation, and are more than often found doing exactly that. The dragons have differing attitudes towards their kobold infestation. The metallic dragons detest the slinking little creatures, trying to kill any they happen to find, just as a human might try to kill a spider. However, the chromatic dragons are very fond of these perfect little minions, eager to do anything to please their master or bring in more treasure. Thanks to these differing attitudes, the monks see them differently as well: Those learning from metallic dragons see them as a sign of bad luck, chromatic see them as the opposite.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Kobolds are easily distinguishable by their child sized, reptilian frames. Whether they be the salamander like Musu'Masa, the finned Neela, the fur and feathered Kagawa, or the plated Kogian, all kobolds have a distinctive snout, twisting tail, clawed hands and feet, and leg structures similar to that of a dragon. But unlike dragons, they walked on two legs, and make use of their hands for all kinds of weapons and tools.

Biological Traits

Standard Racial Traits
Ability Score Modifiers: Kobolds are fast but weak. They gain +2 Dexterity, –4 Strength, and –2 Constitution. Type: Kobolds are humanoids with the reptilian subtype. Size: Kobolds are Small creatures and thus gain a +1 size bonus to their AC, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, a –1 penalty on their combat maneuver checks and to Combat Maneuver Defense, and a +4 size bonus on Stealth checks. Base Speed: Kobolds have a base speed of 30 feet. Languages: Kobolds begin play speaking only Draconic. Kobolds with high Intelligence scores can choose from the following: Common, Dwarven, Gnome, and Undercommon. See the Linguistics skill page for more information about these languages.

Ethnic Racial Traits
Kogian (Volcano)
Armor: Kogian naturally scaly skin grants them a +2 natural armor bonus. Feat and Skill Racial Traits
Crafty: Kogian gain a +2 racial bonus on Craft (trapmaking), Perception, and Profession (miner) checks. Craft (trapmaking) and Stealth are always class skills for a kobold. Senses Racial Traits
Low light vision: Kogian eyes are adjusted to low amounts of light in caverns and can see twice as far as normal in dim light.
Kagawa (Snow)
Resistance: Kagawa fur and feathers grant them DR 5 vs cold
Dragonmaw: Your draconic heritage makes you smile- not just because it makes you happy, but also because your powerful teeth and jaws are proof of your kinship with a chromatic dragon. You gain a bite attack that deals 1d4 points of damage. Once per day, you can deal 1d6 points of additional energy damage with your bite attack. The damage type depends on your fur color: ; electricity for blue; cold for white.

Surface Kobold: You’re one of the barbaric kobolds dwelling in the forests of the surface world. Your culture shuns artifice, but teaches how to endure the hunt. You gain a +2 racial bonus on Perception and Survival checks, and Stealth and Survival are always class skills for you.

Neela (Water)
Shoulder to Shoulder Having lived and worked in close quarters with your tribe-mates, you’ve learned how to maneuver within their personal space without disturbing them. You can occupy the same space as one other Small ally without penalty. If you share a space with another kobold who has this trait, you each gain a +1 circumstance bonus to AC, as you help jostle one another out of the way of incoming attacks. You also gain a +1 racial bonus on aid another rolls.
Wyrmcrowned: Your horns have grown to the extent that they appear similar to those of finned dragons, lending a draconic power or menace to your dealings with others. Choose either Diplomacy or Intimidate. You gain a +2 racial bonus on checks with that skill, and it is always a class skill for you.
Beast Bond: Neela have a talent for training animals and beasts to help them both on and off the battlefield. Neela gain a +2 racial bonus on Handle Animal and Ride checks. Handle Animal and Ride are always class skills for them.
Swim Speed: Neela fins give them a swim speed equal to their movement speed.
Musu'Masa (Pit)
Oiled Skin: Musu'Masa's naturally sleek and lubricated skin grants them a +2 bonus to resisting poisons, and DR 5 vs Acid.
Toxic: A number of times per day equal to his Constitution modifier (minimum 1/day), a Musu'Masa can envenom a weapon that he wields with his toxic saliva or blood (using blood requires the Musu'Masa to be injured when he uses this ability). Applying venom in this way is a swift action. Musu’Masa Venom: Injury; save Fort DC 10 + 1/2 the Musu'Masa’s Hit Dice + the Musu'Masa’s Constitution modifier; frequency1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d2 Dex; cure 1 save.
Darkvision: Musu'Masa can see perfectly in the dark up to 60 feet.
Light Sensitivity: Musu'Masa living in almost total darkness have caused them to suffer from light sensitivity.

Growth Rate & Stages

From the moment they are born, Kobolds never lose their childish demeanor and attitude for the majority of their lives. Toward the end of their average lifespan, they go straight from childish to senile.

Ecology and Habitats

Kobolds are incredibly adaptable, and each subspecies represent features ideal for surviving in the environment they made their home in.

Additional Information

Social Structure

There are two things Kobolds care about above all else, protection, and treasure. This combination of traits made serving dragons, embodiments of power and wealth, practically second nature. Although chromatic dragons regularly demanding any real treasure resulted in kobolds adopting odd trinkets, the kind dragons wouldn't care to take, as their own form of treasure.
Kobolds do not have any organized government, instead following the dictates of whoever has the most power, commonly referred to as the "Biggest Claws." Despite this, there is a code of law that all kobolds somehow know and follow of their own accord.
These laws, in order of most importance, are:
-The biggest claws is in charge.
-All treasure belongs to biggest claws first.
-Avoid shiny claws.
-Never reveal your position to an enemy before attacking.
-If something is left out in the open, nobody has claim on it.
-If you see another kobold sneaking around, politely pretend you can't see them, unless they are breaking law.
There is no rules for punishment for breaking any of these laws, and how a kobold reacts to another breaking these laws can range anywhere from simply referring the law breaker as "rude" or going as far as trying to kill the offender on the spot.

Domestication

The loyalty of a kobold can easilly be won simply by convincing it that you are the most powerful thing around. Some kobolds also latch onto those who may be weaker if shown genuine affection and willingness to let them keep whatever treasures they acquire.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Chromatic dragons have exploited kobolds need for protection and fondness for treasure for centuries, and a condition almost akin to self maintained slavery is the result.

Origin/Ancestry

Unknown

Lifespan

40 years

Average Height

0.9 - 1.1 meters

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

A kobolds coloration and distinctive markings are heavily influenced by the surrounds its sub-species has grown adapted to.