Kobold
Smallscales
Kobolds are small, draconic humanoids. Their quadrupedal ancestors lived underground, burrowing out great warrens. Once hunted by Humans and preyed upon by larger species, the kobolds became adept at hiding to avoid conflict. After The Scalechange occurred, and spurred on by contact from the Dragonborn, the kobolds adopted draconic language and culture, integrating themselves into the burgeoning society of dragonfolk.
Today, kobolds are agile, quick, and cunning. They are considered commoners in the Eternal Empire, performing in all aspects of life in that caste. Many kobold clans are pledged since ancient times to serve dragonborn houses, although there are several indenpendent kobold clans as well. As civilians, they are farmers, artisans, and merchants. In the army, they operate as scouts, spies, and skirmishers. The same traits of agility, speed, and stealth that make kobolds useful in the army also lend well to criminal activities, and many kobolds find places in the gangs and syndicates.
Kobolds are known for farming mushrooms, tubers, and herbs, as well as raising cavies, rabbits, and rats for their meat and fur.
It is as artisans that kobolds truly impact dragonfolk society. Kobolds are natural artisans, and regularly sculpt, carve, and paint their environments, as well as producing many crafted objects both useful and decorative. Both dragonborn and dragons indulge the kobolds' talents, such that most buildings, inside and out, are covered in carvings, reliefs, and murals. These decorations regularly depict legends of heroes and monsters, or stories of a patron's or family's deeds.
Dragonborn often refer to kobolds as Smallscales.
There are three varieties of kobold:
Cave kobolds, derived from the original stock, are short, nocturnal kobolds, with a slightly stooped stance. They are capable of crawling just as easily as they are at walking upright.
Plains kobolds are slightly taller and more upright, with lithe bodies and muscled legs. Built for running, they originated from the grasslands, savanahs, and badlands where their speed gave them advantage to avoid predators.
Mountain kobolds are rare, coming from the slopes of many mountain ranges all over the world. They are lighter in build, with thicker scales, slightly thinner tails, and dragon-like wings on their backs.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Caver. Accustomed to life underground, you have advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks to forage, navigate, or track while underground.
Burrow. You can burrow through earth, sand, mud, or ice at a speed of 5 feet.
Animal Husbandry. Accustomed to life herding or otherwise working with animals, you have advantage on Wisdom (Animal Handling) checks when dealing with beasts.
Strong runner. As a bonus action, you may gain extra movement equal to your current speed.
Weak Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 30 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Mountain born. You're acclimated to high altitude, including elevations above 20,000 feet. You're also naturally adapted to cold climates, as described in chapter 5 of the Dungeon Master's Guide.
Thick scales. Your natural armor is 12 + your Dexterity modifier.
Weak Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 30 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Kobold of the Scalechanged Legacy
Ability Score Increase +2 Dex, +1 Int
Size Small
Speed 30ft
Natural armor. You have tough, scaly skin. When you aren't wearing armor, your AC is 11 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use your natural armor to determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower AC. A shield's benefits apply as normal while you use your natural armor.
Artistic. Your people decorate everything within their environment, and learn from a young age to paint, sculpt, and carve. You gain proficiency with one of the following tools: Painter's supplies, Mason's tools, Woodcarver's tools
Pack Tactics. You have advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of your allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated.
Nimble Escape. You can take the Disengage or Hide action as a bonus action on each of your turns.
Cave Kobold
Sunlight Sensitivity. You have disadvantage on attack rolls and on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight when you, the target of your attack, or whatever you are trying to perceive is in direct sunlight.Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Caver. Accustomed to life underground, you have advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks to forage, navigate, or track while underground.
Burrow. You can burrow through earth, sand, mud, or ice at a speed of 5 feet.
Plains Kobold
Speed. Your base walking speed is 35 feet.Animal Husbandry. Accustomed to life herding or otherwise working with animals, you have advantage on Wisdom (Animal Handling) checks when dealing with beasts.
Strong runner. As a bonus action, you may gain extra movement equal to your current speed.
Weak Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 30 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Mountain Kobold
Flight. You have a flying speed of 30 feet. To use this speed, you can't be wearing medium or heavy armor.Mountain born. You're acclimated to high altitude, including elevations above 20,000 feet. You're also naturally adapted to cold climates, as described in chapter 5 of the Dungeon Master's Guide.
Thick scales. Your natural armor is 12 + your Dexterity modifier.
Weak Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 30 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Languages. High Draconic, Low Draconic
| Base Height | Height Modifier | Base Weight | Weight Modifier | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cave Kobold | 2' 1" | +2d4 | 25 | x 1 lb. |
| Plains Kobold | 2'5" | +2d4 | 25 | x 1 lb. |
| Mountain Kobold | 2' 1" | +2d4 | 25 | x 1 lb. |
Basic Information
Anatomy
Kobolds are bipedal, with two arms, and a tail. Their heads are dragon-like, on short necks. They have scaly skin like other dragonfolk, but lack the armored plates of the Dragonborn, instead having patches of rough scales slightly harder than the surrounding skin. Kobolds do not store body fat, instead either using the energy from all food consumed, or expelling the excess.
Males have larger, broader heads, and a shorter torso than females, with shoulders wider than their hips. Their torso length typically makes them somewhat shorter than females.
Females have smaller, more narrow heads, and a longer torso than males, with hips wider than their shoulders. Their torso length typically makes them somewhat taller than males.
Males have larger, broader heads, and a shorter torso than females, with shoulders wider than their hips. Their torso length typically makes them somewhat shorter than females.
Females have smaller, more narrow heads, and a longer torso than males, with hips wider than their shoulders. Their torso length typically makes them somewhat taller than males.
Biological Traits
Cave Kobolds
Cave Kobolds art adapted to living underground in caves and warrens. They are short and squat, and walking slightly stooped forward, and are able to scramble on all fours as easily as they walk upright.Plains Kobolds
Plains Kobolds are lithe, with slightly longer arms and legs than their Cave cousins, and more muscle development in the legs, making them powerful runners.Mountain Kobolds
Mountain Kobolds are sleek and light, with membranous wings sprouting from their shoulders. To assist in flight, they have short, membranous crests on the tops of their heads. Mountain Kobolds have slightly shorter tails than other breeds.Genetics and Reproduction
Sexual reproduction. Genitals are located in the groin area, contained within the cloaca.
Sexual maturity for both sexes occurs upon reaching adulthood.
Female kobolds are fertile every two months, laying one to three eggs in a communal hatchery. These eggs hatch within 2 to 3 months.
Sexual maturity for both sexes occurs upon reaching adulthood.
Female kobolds are fertile every two months, laying one to three eggs in a communal hatchery. These eggs hatch within 2 to 3 months.
Growth Rate & Stages
Kobolds mature quickly, reaching adulthood at 6 years. They are considered elders at 90 years, and generally live to 120 years.
Ecology and Habitats
Kobolds were originally a burrowing species. Over time, two offshoots gradually adapted to other environments. Plains Kobolds live on the surface, typically on the grasslands, savanahs, and badlands. Mountain Kobolds make their homes on the lower slopes of mountain ranges. Cave Kobolds are descended from the original branch, which chose to stay underground.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Kobolds are omnivores in the truest sense. When they eat meat, they consume the bones as well. They also have a fondness for egg shells. When they eat plants, they consider some plants edible that others might not, and they also eat parts of the plants that are considered inedible, such as bark.
This stems from their ancestral habit of moving between hunting-gathering and scavenging for food. Today, their diet is more refined due to the influence of dragonfolk society, although they are still capable and willing to eat things that Dragonborn may not readily consider as food.
Biological Cycle
Kobolds are considered adults at 6 years, middle-aged at 60 years, and elderly at 90 years. The longest lived kobolds known have lived to 120 years old. Upon reaching adulthood, kobolds molt approximately once per year.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Originally a matriarchal society, kobolds have largely adopted the dragonborn's social model, and gender roles are almost entirely non-existent. When in groups, kobolds reflexively determine a leader from among the group to whom the rest of the group looks for direction.
Domestication
Dragons and dragonborn alike view kobolds as servants, and many kobold clans are bound to serve this way. Many more are independent citizens of the Grand Draconic Empire.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Kobolds can be found all over the Grand Draconic Empire.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Darkvision, 60 ft.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Kobolds have a single name given to them by their Eggwatcher at the time of their hatching. This name is made up of sounds used in Low Draconic. Family names are not used as kobolds do not pay attention to lineage, however every kobold identifies with the clan they were hatched into.
Kobolds will often acquire and use nicknames based off of distinguishing features, deeds performed, or pranks played. Examples of these nicknames include: Black Stripe, Dull Claw, Blade Dodger, Pie Thief.
Courtship Ideals
Kobolds of both sexes attract mates with feats of speed, agility, audacity, or artistic ability.
Relationship Ideals
Kobolds do not maintain long-term relationships, instead freely choosing companions or mates out of available and desirable prospects. It is common for kobolds to be involved in multiple intimate relationships simultaneously, and these relationships may include multiple partners. Kobold relationships, while not deep, are quick, passionate affairs, with all partners involved being fiercely dedicated to each other. Jealousy is rare among kobolds, and shunned as highly inappropriate behavior.
History
The earliest kobolds were small, quadrapedal, nocturnal, burrowing creatures. Adapting to their environments, as well as to standing upright, their society changed rapidly.
Before The Scalechange, humans considered kobolds pests, and hunted them or drove them out of human-settled areas. Many sought out servitude to a dragon in exchange for protection.
Human attitudes changed after the Scalechange was finished and they were all transformed into dragonborn. The kobolds made natural allies and servants to these new dragonfolk, and were an integral part of the dragons' war against the elves and other fey.
Once the war was over and the fey were banished from the Middleworld, the dragons, dragonborn, and kobolds formed the beginnings of society that survives today as the Grand Draconic Empire. Many kobold clans joined with the dragonborn clans, agreeing to serve those clans in perpetuity. Others chose to remain independant, and today kobolds occupy a useful, if inglorious, position within society.
Scalechanged Legacy logo by Kim Swan
Lifespan
120 years
Average Height
2' 6"
Average Weight
30 lbs.
Related Organizations
Related Ethnicities
