Kobold
Perhaps one of the most unassuming yet influential races in all of time, some speculating that they were even the pioneers of the idea of civilization as a whole, though equally as cowardly and disloyal to their cause should they feel threatened. Small and insignificant alone, many toss them aside as pests and insects existing solely to irritate and annoy others, though rarely does anyone ever realize their ambitious ideals of a perfect world. True enough, they do not help their reputation by not being above "dirty" tactics, infamously known for their cunning traps and running at the first sight of danger; to summarize their species with their own proverb, "Throw the stone and hide your hand." Standing on average at a measly 2'3" and weighing in at about 40 lbs, they are certainly not a sight to behold, and you would be forgiven for overlooking their presence by even the Kobold in question, as they are quite used to being overshadowed. But this quiet, dark corner is where they thrive. Excellent thieves and perpetually desperate, the small dragonkin will go to great lengths to secure what they believe is essential to their survival which typically includes "shinies", compounded by an acute sense of self-preservation; they know when and when not to fight.
These traits can be attributed simply to their physique which promotes their scavenger tendencies, but mentally, they are surprisingly intuitive, making fine craftsmen with a creativity many races can only envy. They take life one small step at a time, and because of the vertical slope they must traverse to make it anywhere in the world, they are quite unshakable in their goals compared to other races. As stated previously however, they rarely amount to anything as individuals, tossed aside simply for being who they are despite each Kobold being wildly different in philosophy and personality, though rarely given the chance to disprove the stereotypes. As such, they are often seen segregated in exile among their own, devising clever plans on their next best steal and contributing nothing to society as a whole. For many, a life in a secular city is undesirable, as many civilizations treat Kobolds as inferior in almost every aspect, thus resulting in a high population of displaced Kobolds conglomerating at the edge of colonized territories. However, should a nation accept the erratic dragonkin and grant them the same respects as they would others, then they would likely be pleasantly surprised by how far a Kobold is willing to go to improve not only themselves, but their realm. With an ambition as a grand as a Dragon's with a zeal to match, what a Kobold wants they will get, be it a tangible item or intangible dream.
Because of their depressing history, many often possess ideals of a place where all races can thrive never to be oppressed, reinforcing positive growth as individuals and ascending past petty racism. And they will fight for these dreams of a perfect world, be it on the field of battle or in diplomatic combat, a Kobold's vision will drive them forward against all odds, besting any resistance that thinks itself better. Talented negotiators that see all sides of a problem, emphasizing the importance of compromise and understanding, they occupy the devoid responsibility of racial glue, bringing together incredibly unalike and hostile species and uniting them under a single cause. If you look past their peculiar speech pattern, their carefully crafted speeches brim with passion, truly believing that a world for all is just within reach. On the smallest to largest scale, they perform best in these massive federated groups of radically opposing ideals be it as a follower or leader, suppressing tension with grace and bringing out the best of any individual, always looking past the proverbial cover of a book.
As a Meridii species, they ended up being one of Astralshaper's unlikely favorites, always rising to the occasion and never fearing reprise, staking out their noble beliefs and rallying other races under their cause. Initially, said cause was against the goddess of night, but were eventually converted to her side, and have since then prospered. Unfortunately, many other member species still mistreat and abuse the Kobolds, still viewing them as a lesser race, thus reducing their potential significantly. Consequently, they are often discouraged from taking the mantle of leadership even if they so desperately wish it, but have found their lot in life under Ital Tek or Solens Arc, both allowing for near-complete autonomy. They occupy positions that require a dash of creativity and a lot of perseverance, such as mining, manufacturing, diplomacy, engineering, mercantilism, and even alchemy. Their drive for success may be once again suppressed under the Meridian, but that does not deter them from enjoying the higher-than-usual status they had finally attained. Likely due to the close proximity and cramped living conditions imposed by the Wastes, the Kobolds have been reduced to a single surviving subspecies:
These traits can be attributed simply to their physique which promotes their scavenger tendencies, but mentally, they are surprisingly intuitive, making fine craftsmen with a creativity many races can only envy. They take life one small step at a time, and because of the vertical slope they must traverse to make it anywhere in the world, they are quite unshakable in their goals compared to other races. As stated previously however, they rarely amount to anything as individuals, tossed aside simply for being who they are despite each Kobold being wildly different in philosophy and personality, though rarely given the chance to disprove the stereotypes. As such, they are often seen segregated in exile among their own, devising clever plans on their next best steal and contributing nothing to society as a whole. For many, a life in a secular city is undesirable, as many civilizations treat Kobolds as inferior in almost every aspect, thus resulting in a high population of displaced Kobolds conglomerating at the edge of colonized territories. However, should a nation accept the erratic dragonkin and grant them the same respects as they would others, then they would likely be pleasantly surprised by how far a Kobold is willing to go to improve not only themselves, but their realm. With an ambition as a grand as a Dragon's with a zeal to match, what a Kobold wants they will get, be it a tangible item or intangible dream.
Because of their depressing history, many often possess ideals of a place where all races can thrive never to be oppressed, reinforcing positive growth as individuals and ascending past petty racism. And they will fight for these dreams of a perfect world, be it on the field of battle or in diplomatic combat, a Kobold's vision will drive them forward against all odds, besting any resistance that thinks itself better. Talented negotiators that see all sides of a problem, emphasizing the importance of compromise and understanding, they occupy the devoid responsibility of racial glue, bringing together incredibly unalike and hostile species and uniting them under a single cause. If you look past their peculiar speech pattern, their carefully crafted speeches brim with passion, truly believing that a world for all is just within reach. On the smallest to largest scale, they perform best in these massive federated groups of radically opposing ideals be it as a follower or leader, suppressing tension with grace and bringing out the best of any individual, always looking past the proverbial cover of a book.
As a Meridii species, they ended up being one of Astralshaper's unlikely favorites, always rising to the occasion and never fearing reprise, staking out their noble beliefs and rallying other races under their cause. Initially, said cause was against the goddess of night, but were eventually converted to her side, and have since then prospered. Unfortunately, many other member species still mistreat and abuse the Kobolds, still viewing them as a lesser race, thus reducing their potential significantly. Consequently, they are often discouraged from taking the mantle of leadership even if they so desperately wish it, but have found their lot in life under Ital Tek or Solens Arc, both allowing for near-complete autonomy. They occupy positions that require a dash of creativity and a lot of perseverance, such as mining, manufacturing, diplomacy, engineering, mercantilism, and even alchemy. Their drive for success may be once again suppressed under the Meridian, but that does not deter them from enjoying the higher-than-usual status they had finally attained. Likely due to the close proximity and cramped living conditions imposed by the Wastes, the Kobolds have been reduced to a single surviving subspecies:
Dukets
Exclusively gray and bronze-scaled dragonkin with a narrow snout and uncharacteristic side-frills at the front of their ridges in place of horns. Stocky and hardy, they are shockingly strong, contradicting their tales of weakness entirely.
Scientific Name
Lesser Dyrmyth
Lifespan
110 years
Average Height
2'3"
Average Weight
40lbs
Related Ethnicities
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