Kobold

Kobolds are small, cunning reptilian humanoids standing between 2 and 2.5 feet tall, with reddish-brown to black scales, clawed fingers, and crocodile-like jaws. Despite their small size, they possess sharp minds for trap-setting, ambushes, and torture, making them dangerous foes in their territory. They often dwell in underground warrens or caves and are known for their draconic ancestry, which occasionally manifests in rare physical traits such as wings or the distinction of being dragonwrought—descendants of specific draconic bloodlines. Kobolds compensate for their size with aggression, humor, and the respect they demand through intimidation or cleverness.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Kobolds are between 2 and 2.5 feet tall and weigh between 35 and 45 pounds. They possess reddish-brown to black scaled skin, burnt orange or red eyes, sinewy, digitigrade legs, long clawed fingers, and crocodilian jaws. Small white or tan horns protrude from their heads.

Biological Traits

Kobolds share many biological traits with other reptiles, such as cold-bloodedness, requiring warmth from their environment to remain active. Their scaled skin offers natural protection, though it is not as durable as that of true dragons. Dragonwrought kobold, in particular, have stronger scales and sometimes develop elemental resistances based on their draconic lineage. Winged kobolds have fragile wings that require careful care and training to use effectively, but those that master flight become invaluable scouts and messengers.

Genetics and Reproduction

Kobolds reproduce by laying eggs, with females typically laying one egg within two weeks of conception. In rare cases (about one in ten pregnancies), twins may be born, resulting in the female laying two eggs. Kobold eggs are resilient, able to survive minor damage and premature cracking up to fifteen days before their natural hatching date. These eggs are typically incubated in communal nests, where the entire kobold tribe helps care for and protect them. The incubation period lasts roughly two months, after which the hatchlings emerge ready to walk and begin learning the ways of the tribe.
Kobolds mature rapidly, reaching full adulthood by the age of six. This swift maturation process is crucial to the survival of kobold communities, as their harsh environments often require an abundance of able-bodied workers and warriors.

Growth Rate & Stages

Kobolds develop rapidly compared to most humanoid species. After hatching, kobolds can walk within hours, and by the end of their first year, they are capable of basic survival tasks such as hunting small prey, trap-making, and rudimentary speech. They achieve young adulthood at six years of age, at which point they are considered fully capable members of their tribe. This accelerated growth rate ensures that kobold communities remain resilient despite the dangers of their environments.
Winged kobolds, a rare variation, often face challenges in their development as their wings can be fragile and require careful nurturing to grow properly. These kobolds are often seen as a separate caste within kobold society and are sometimes subjected to mockery, although their flight abilities are valued for scouting and ambush tactics.

Ecology and Habitats

Kobolds are primarily subterranean creatures, thriving in dark caves, tunnels, and abandoned mines. They often settle near dragon lairs, benefiting from the protection of their larger draconic relatives while also venerating them. Kobolds construct elaborate warren-like structures that serve as both homes and defensive strongholds. These settlements are often riddled with traps, designed to catch intruders or unwanted visitors.
Kobolds also adapt well to other harsh environments such as swamps, forests, and desolate wastelands, using their natural resilience and ingenuity to survive. They are adept at scavenging and repurposing materials found in their surroundings, often turning debris into traps or tools for survival.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Kobolds are omnivorous, consuming a wide range of plant and animal matter, but they are not particularly discerning in their diet. While they may prefer fresh meat or subterranean plants when available, kobolds are opportunistic eaters and will devour just about anything that crosses their path. This includes the flesh of intelligent creatures, which they do not shy away from consuming if the opportunity arises—such as the aftermath of a successful ambush on intruders in their territory.
In times of scarcity, kobolds demonstrate an impressive ability to survive on otherwise inedible materials. They can consume things like tree bark, bones, and other detritus without suffering ill effects. This adaptability is key to their survival in the harsh environments they often inhabit, where food can be scarce, and competition is fierce.
Due to their cold-blooded nature, kobolds' metabolic needs differ from those of warm-blooded creatures. After basking in a warm environment, a kobold can go several days without food, conserving energy efficiently. This trait allows kobolds to endure long periods of famine or poor hunting conditions, particularly in their underground lairs where food sources may be limited.

Biological Cycle

Kobolds, like other reptiles, shed their skin periodically. Growing kobolds shed more frequently, sometimes as often as weekly, while fully grown kobolds shed once per season. Shedding occurs in patches rather than as a full skin peel, similar to lizards. Kobolds use rough surfaces to rub against to help the process along. After shedding, kobolds apply bitterleaf, a common herb, to their new scales to enhance strength and shine. This ritual is both practical and symbolic, representing renewal and growth within kobold society.

Behaviour

Kobolds are known for their resentment of larger creatures, particularly those who mock their small size. This resentment often manifests in aggression, spite, and a desire to prove themselves through cleverness rather than brute strength. Kobolds value intelligence, trickery, and loyalty to their tribe above all else. Kobold heroes are not warriors of great strength but rather trap-masters, torturers, and ambush specialists who outwit their enemies through cunning.
Although kobolds are usually submissive to larger, more powerful creatures—especially dragons—this submission is often tempered by underlying resentment, and they are quick to rebel or undermine authority when given the chance.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Kobold society is highly communal and tribal in nature, with a strong preference for living in dark, enclosed environments such as underground tunnels, caves, or dense forests. Overcrowding is a common feature of kobold lairs, and this lack of space shapes many aspects of their social behavior. Privacy is virtually non-existent, as kobolds sleep in communal spaces without any shame or taboo regarding nudity, even among different sexes. Clothing is worn primarily for practical purposes or ritualistic reasons, rather than as a means of modesty.
Due to the crowded conditions, conflicts between kobolds are frequent, but these disputes are typically resolved through non-lethal fighting, reducing long-term grudges or deep divisions within the tribe. The physical altercations act as a form of release for tensions, ensuring that society remains cohesive despite the high population density. Such fights, while often fierce, are seen as a natural way to resolve differences, and the participants usually bear no ill will once the conflict is settled.
Kobolds are known for their natural affinity with sorcery, a trait linked to their draconic ancestry. Many kobolds show signs of magical abilities from a young age, and these abilities are often honed in service to the tribe. Elders or dragonwrought kobolds, who often live the longest due to their magical and draconic ties, are particularly revered for their knowledge of arcane arts.
While individual kobolds may value their own lives, their ultimate loyalty is to the tribe. A kobold’s personal success is inherently tied to the tribe’s success, and they view their contributions to the greater whole as their highest purpose. Kobolds will not hesitate to sacrifice themselves for the tribe’s greater good, believing that the tribe's survival ensures their legacy.

Tribal Life and Rituals

Kobold tribes are often split when their population becomes too large for their current lair to support. When this happens, the tribe divides into smaller groups, each forming new colonies elsewhere. This keeps the lairs sustainable and prevents resource depletion, though the splitting of tribes is also a way of expanding kobold influence across wider territories.
Kobold life is heavily influenced by their draconic ancestry, with much of their culture centered around the reverence of dragons. This dragon-worship is evident in their rituals, clothing, and leadership structures, with dragonwrought kobolds often serving as spiritual leaders or advisors to the tribe. Some tribes live near dragon lairs and see themselves as an extension of their draconic overlords' will.
Tribal life is highly regimented, with each kobold assigned specific tasks to benefit the whole. These tasks might include mining, hunting, trap-making, or magic research. The most skilled kobolds in particular fields—such as the most accomplished trap-maker or the strongest warrior—gain status within the tribe, though the overall structure remains focused on collective success rather than individual glory.

Conflict Resolution and Harmony

Despite the frequent conflicts that arise due to overcrowding, kobold society emphasizes swift and direct conflict resolution. These skirmishes are rarely lethal, as kobolds prefer to resolve disputes quickly and return to the communal good. The lack of privacy contributes to this dynamic, as tensions are often aired openly, with disputes often ending in brief physical altercations that help release built-up aggression.
These quick resolutions ensure that grudges are not long-held, and grievances rarely fester into deep-seated hatred. Instead, the kobold tribe remains unified, with individuals learning to cooperate and work for the greater good. This environment fosters a tight-knit community where mutual survival depends on strong cooperation.

Physical Maintenance and Rituals

Despite their seemingly harsh living conditions, kobolds take great pride in maintaining their physical appearance, particularly their claws and teeth. After shedding, kobolds gather in communal baths or swimming areas to wash away the old skin and prepare their new scales. This ritual is an important part of kobold life, symbolizing renewal and growth, and is often accompanied by socializing and bonding with tribe members.
Kobolds also devote time to grooming their claws and teeth. They use smooth stones to polish their claws and chew roots to keep their teeth clean and sharp. These grooming habits are essential not just for personal hygiene but also for maintaining their abilities to fight and work. Healthy claws are crucial for digging, trap-making, and combat, while sharp teeth are a symbol of strength and readiness for battle.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Kobolds, while resourceful and independent, are often exploited or viewed as tools by more powerful races and creatures, particularly dragons and other dominant species in their environment.

Uses

Kobolds are skilled miners, trap-makers, and crafters, making them valuable to other creatures that desire access to their craftsmanship or their ability to create intricate defenses. Their expertise in setting traps and building complex tunnel systems is often leveraged by dragons or more dominant factions to guard treasures or strongholds. In such relationships, kobolds typically serve willingly in exchange for protection and a share of the spoils, but they are still viewed as expendable.
Additionally, kobolds have a natural affinity for sorcery, which can make them useful in arcane rituals or as spellcasters in larger operations. While their magic is typically not as powerful as that of more dominant species, it can be effective in enhancing traps or providing defensive spells for their lairs.

Byproducts 

Kobolds produce a number of useful byproducts from their daily life and activities:
Crafted Items: Kobolds are known for creating simple yet effective tools, weapons, and traps. These items are often made from scavenged materials like bone, wood, stone, and metal and can include spike traps, snares, or alchemical concoctions that serve as poisons or adhesives. Leather and Bone Products: Leather made from kobold skin is soft and flexible, prized by certain groups such as elves, who have been known to craft items from it, such as pouches, gloves, and light armor. Kobold bones are also sometimes used in the hilts of weapons, especially for those seeking exotic materials or magical properties associated with their draconic ancestry.
Tanned Hides and Scales: In addition to their skin, kobolds use their shed scales to create rudimentary armor, clothing, or ceremonial items. While not as strong as dragon scales, they serve practical purposes for crafting within kobold society.
Alchemical Products: Kobolds are known to create basic poisons or chemical compounds using natural ingredients from their environment. These can be used to coat traps or weapons and are highly valued in bartering or trade with other species.

Exploitation

Kobolds are frequently exploited by larger creatures, especially dragons, who use them as minions or laborers in exchange for protection. Despite their willingness to serve, this relationship often skews heavily in favor of the more powerful party. Kobolds are treated as disposable by many of their overlords, particularly when defending the lair of a dragon or guarding valuable treasures.
Humanoid species such as orcs, humans, and even elves occasionally enslave or subjugate kobold tribes, using their labor to mine valuable ores or gemstones from the ground. Kobolds’ natural proficiency in mining, combined with their ability to dig through difficult terrain, makes them a prime target for forced labor in such operations.
Despite the exploitation they endure, kobolds are fiercely loyal to their tribe and will defend their kind, even in situations where they are taken advantage of. They may attempt to sabotage the plans of those who exploit them or seek clever ways to ensure the survival and success of their own tribe above all else.

Facial characteristics

Kobold faces resemble those of small dragons or reptiles, with elongated, crocodile-like jaws filled with sharp teeth suited for tearing meat. Their eyes, usually burnt orange or red, glow faintly in the dark, giving them excellent night vision. The small white or tan horns that protrude from their heads are a signature feature of their draconic heritage. These horns are typically non-functional, but they serve as a symbol of pride within kobold society, with some kobolds adorning them with markings or trinkets.
Their narrow snouts, slitted nostrils, and forked tongues further enhance their reptilian appearance, allowing them to detect subtle changes in their environment through scent and taste. Despite their somewhat fierce appearance, their expressions often show cunning, mischief, or malice.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Kobolds are widespread across many regions, often preferring to live underground in cave systems, abandoned mines, or lairs close to dragons. They are found in mountainous regions, dense forests, and desolate wastelands. Their ability to adapt to various harsh environments allows them to thrive in climates where other species may struggle to survive. Although kobolds are most commonly associated with underground habitats, they can also be found in ruins, ancient tombs, or any area that provides shelter from larger predators and enemies.

Average Intelligence

Kobolds possess average intelligence compared to most humanoid species. While they lack the scholarly intellect of humans or elves, their cunning and ingenuity are well-suited to survival. Kobolds are masters of trap-setting, ambush tactics, and improvisation, often leveraging their environment to outsmart larger, more physically powerful foes. Their communal society fosters a natural understanding of tactics and coordination, making them clever strategists in combat or when defending their lairs. Kobolds also have a deep reverence for dragons, and their dragonwrought kin are often more intellectually advanced, especially in terms of arcane knowledge or dragon-related lore.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Kobolds have keen night vision, which helps them navigate underground. They also have an acute sense of smell, useful for detecting intruders or prey.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Kobolds often form symbiotic relationships with dragons, serving as loyal minions, defenders, and caretakers in exchange for protection and guidance from their draconic masters. These dragons offer kobolds not only safety but also the potential for magical enhancement, whether through dragon-related artifacts or exposure to their innate magic. This close relationship grants kobolds a status of reverence toward dragons, and they dedicate much of their culture to venerating them.
Beyond dragons, kobolds have also domesticated other subterranean and large creatures to aid in their survival. One of the most notable symbiotic relationships is with dire weasels, which kobolds use as mounts. Dire weasels, known for their speed and ferocity, are an ideal fit for the kobolds’ small size and provide a tactical advantage in scouting, battle, or for moving quickly through the tunnels and rough terrain kobolds typically inhabit. The bond between a kobold and its dire weasel mount is often strong, with the weasel trained from a young age to obey commands and fight alongside its rider.
Additionally, kobolds work symbiotically with giant spiders, beetles, and other underground creatures. These creatures often guard kobold territories, acting as both protection and tools in the elaborate traps kobolds set. In return, kobolds feed and care for these creatures, ensuring their survival in the deep caverns they call home.
On the parasitic side, kobolds can suffer from infestations of small worms or insects due to the unsanitary conditions of some environments, especially in swampy or damp areas. These parasites are usually managed through the application of herbal remedies, particularly bitterleaf, which the kobolds also use to strengthen their new scales after shedding.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Kobold names are often simple, harsh-sounding, and practical, typically reflecting traits, actions, or environments relevant to the individual. Names often consist of one or two syllables and may evolve over time based on a kobold's deeds or status within the tribe.

• Birth Names: A kobold is usually given a name by the elders or parents shortly after hatching. These names are often inspired by the circumstances of their birth, such as the time of day, the weather, or notable events happening in the tribe at the time.
• Nicknames and Titles: As kobolds grow and prove themselves, they often acquire additional names or titles that reflect their accomplishments or skills. For example, a particularly skilled trap-maker might earn the title "Snareclaw," or a fierce defender of the tribe could be known as "Stonefang."
• Draconic Names: Dragonwrought kobolds are given more elaborate names that often mimic the names of dragons, reflecting their revered status. These names can be multi-syllabic and are often chosen by the tribe's dragonwrought elders to signify their draconic heritage.

Beauty Ideals

Beauty in kobold society is largely practical, with little focus on aesthetics beyond functionality and health. A kobold's appearance is judged based on how well their traits contribute to the tribe’s success, with strength, agility, and physical condition being the main markers of "beauty."

• Scales and Shedding: Healthy, well-maintained scales are highly regarded. Kobolds take pride in their scales, particularly after a successful shedding. Scales that are shiny and free of blemishes are seen as a sign of good health and vitality, which are desirable traits.
• Claws and Teeth: Kobolds often judge beauty by the sharpness and condition of a kobold's claws and teeth. Regular grooming, such as sharpening claws on stones or chewing certain roots to clean teeth, is considered essential. Strong, sharp claws and teeth indicate readiness for battle or trap-making, enhancing one's status.
• Physical Prowess: A kobold's physical strength, agility, and endurance are key aspects of their attractiveness. Kobolds who can contribute more to the tribe, whether through combat, hunting, or crafting, are generally viewed as more desirable.

Gender Ideals

Kobold society does not place much emphasis on gender roles. Both male and female kobolds are expected to contribute equally to the survival and prosperity of the tribe. Roles within the tribe, such as trap-making, mining, hunting, and defending the lair, are assigned based on ability rather than gender.

• Practical Equality: Because kobold society values survival and functionality above all else, gender-specific expectations are minimal. Males and females alike are expected to fight, work, and mate for the benefit of the tribe. The most capable individuals are often given leadership or elder positions, regardless of their gender.
• Reproduction and Propagation: Females hold a slightly higher practical status in terms of ensuring the propagation of the tribe, but this is largely utilitarian. Once a kobold has laid eggs, they return to their normal duties, with no specific gendered roles in childcare or nurturing.

Courtship Ideals

Kobold courtship is extremely practical, devoid of emotional attachment or romantic notions. The primary focus of kobold mating is propagation, with kobolds choosing mates based on their physical capabilities, health, and ability to contribute to the tribe's survival.

• Impersonal Mating: Kobolds do not maintain monogamous relationships, and emotional attachment is not a factor in choosing mates. Mating is considered a necessary and practical act, meant solely for reproduction and the continuation of the tribe. Both males and females seek out partners who are physically fit and capable of producing strong offspring, rather than mates they are emotionally attracted to.
• Frequent Reproduction: Due to the often harsh and dangerous conditions kobolds live in, ensuring the tribe’s numbers remain stable is a high priority. Mating is frequent and encouraged by the tribe’s elders, especially after kobolds reach physical maturity.
• No Courtship Rituals: Since mating is viewed as a practical arrangement, there are no courtship rituals or displays of affection. Instead, kobolds simply select mates based on necessity, and after mating, they resume their duties without any change in their social relationship.

History

Kobolds trace their origins back to ancient times, believed to be descendants of dragons or dragon-like beings. Their draconic ancestry has long been a core aspect of their identity, influencing not only their appearance but also their culture, societal structure, and religious beliefs. However, unlike their powerful dragon cousins, kobolds have always been at the bottom of the hierarchy in most regions, often subjugated, exploited, or ignored by more dominant species.
In the early days of kobold history, they lived in proximity to dragons, serving them as loyal minions in exchange for protection and guidance. This symbiotic relationship allowed them to flourish in otherwise hostile environments, and their expertise in mining, trap-making, and tunnel-building made them invaluable to their draconic overlords. During this time, many kobold tribes would establish themselves in vast cave systems beneath dragon lairs, working tirelessly to expand their domain and defend it against intruders.
Over the centuries, kobolds became known for their role as dragon-servants, with legends of their assistance in dragon-related battles and treasure-guarding duties being passed down through generations. They developed a deep cultural reverence for dragons, seeing themselves as small but essential parts of the draconic hierarchy.
As empires rose and fell across Tanaria, kobolds were often caught in the middle of conflicts between larger, more powerful races. Many kobold tribes found themselves enslaved or displaced by invading forces, particularly during the expansion of human and orcish empires. Their skills in mining and construction made them valuable assets in forced labor, and they were often pressed into service in the creation of fortifications, tunnels, and traps for their captors.
Despite this exploitation, kobold tribes were remarkably resilient. They would frequently escape or rebel, retreating to the safety of remote underground lairs to rebuild. Throughout history, kobolds have been known for their tenacity and ability to survive even under the harshest conditions, with their societies continuing to grow despite external pressures.

The Rise of the Dragonwrought

One of the most significant developments in kobold history was the emergence of dragonwrought kobolds—kobolds born with clear physical and magical traits that linked them directly to specific dragon bloodlines. These kobolds, identifiable by their scale coloration and often by their wings, were seen as the chosen of the dragons and were granted high status within their tribes.
During this period, some kobold tribes even formed their own small kingdoms under the leadership of dragonwrought kobolds, using their magical abilities and draconic heritage to assert greater autonomy. These tribes were more ambitious and often sought to build alliances with dragons or even other races, leveraging their unique talents for political or territorial gain.

Modern Era 

In more recent history, kobolds have continued to live on the fringes of society, often viewed as pests or nuisances by larger civilizations. However, their skill in mining has not gone unnoticed by certain empires, leading to the continued exploitation of kobold labor for industrial purposes. In regions where magical ores or precious gems are in high demand, kobold tribes are often forced into servitude to dig deep into the earth for these valuable resources.
Despite their often subjugated status, kobolds continue to thrive through their resilience and adaptability. Some kobold tribes still remain under the protection of dragons, serving as caretakers of their lairs or defenders of dragon hoards. Others have managed to carve out a niche for themselves in the broader world, living in remote areas or underground, away from the control of larger races.
Throughout history, kobolds have retained their deep-seated respect and reverence for dragons. Their societies are built around the belief that they are the chosen servants of these mighty beings, and they see their role as crucial to the balance of power in the world. Even in modern times, kobolds will often go to great lengths to protect dragon eggs or lairs, viewing such tasks as sacred duties.
Kobolds have also been the subject of much folklore and legend, often depicted as cunning tricksters, expert trap-setters, or unfortunate pawns in the greater struggles of the world. Despite their small size and frequent mistreatment, kobolds are known for their perseverance and ability to outsmart those who underestimate them.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Dragon

Genetic Descendants

• Dragonwrought kobold

Scientific Name

Kobolus draconis

Origin/Ancestry

Draconic

Lifespan

60 - 120 Years

Conservation Status

Kobolds are prolific breeders, ensuring their continued existence. Though often marginalized, they thrive in underground or secluded areas, and their numbers remain stable.

Average Height

0.6 to 0.75 meters (2 to 2.5 feet) tall

Average Weight

16 to 20 kilograms (35 to 45 pounds)

Average Length

1 to 1.25 meters (3.3 to 4 feet)

Average Physique

Kobolds have small, lean bodies built for agility and speed rather than strength. Standing between 2 and 2.5 feet (0.6–0.75 meters) tall and weighing 35 to 45 pounds (16–20 kilograms), they are sinewy and nimble, able to navigate tight spaces and difficult terrain with ease. Their digitigrade legs give them a natural spring in their step, making them adept climbers and runners. Kobolds rely on stealth and ambush tactics rather than direct confrontation, and their slender physique reflects this preference for evasive or guerrilla-style combat.
Dragonwrought kobolds, by contrast, may exhibit slightly more robust builds, depending on their draconic lineage, though they remain smaller than most humanoids.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Kobolds' scaled skin ranges from reddish-brown to black, though shades of dark green and grey are not uncommon. Their scales are rough and textured, designed to help them blend into rocky or subterranean environments. Kobold tribes sometimes adopt tribal markings or tattoos to indicate rank, lineage, or accomplishments, and these are often painted onto their scales with natural dyes.
Dragonwrought kobolds exhibit a more striking range of colors that align with the type of dragon they descend from. For example, a dragonwrought kobold descended from a red dragon might have bright crimson or scarlet-tinted scales, while one with a blue dragon ancestor might have scales that shimmer with a faint blue hue. The mottling on dragonwrought kobold eggs also mirrors this color scheme, becoming more pronounced as the egg matures.

Related Organizations

• Drakoria
• Drakoria Shipwrights Guild
• Miranore