Kobold
Kobolds are a small sentient reptilian species native to Harmony, which appear to resemble tiny, stunted dragon whelps. Though Kobolds are typically reclusive, keeping entirely to their own kind and dwelling in hidden areas upon Glüm, there have been Kobolds which have joined larger communities and cultures, integrating themselves into these societies.
Basic Information
Genetics and Reproduction
Kobolds are unisexual, and reproduce via asexual parthenogesis. All Kobolds are capable of laying clutches of eggs, which can number from 1 to 50 viable eggs, though to do so requires a Kobold to consume an enormous amount of freshly slaughtered meat — several times their own body mass. This process renders a Kobold immoble for many weeks as they digest the food, as well as requiring an enormous amount of resources to accomodate, meaning very few Kobolds ever go through this process, with it being reserved for the strongest or most charismatic.
Naturally, as eggs are laid parthenogenically, the young only recieve alleles from their "mothers," though the genetic material of the consumed meat is broken down into a sort of "stem-cell soup" which undergoes rapid mutation to create the required amount of genetic material. Additionally, this means that Kobold young are not clones of their "mothers," and indeed show wider genetic variation than most species.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Kobolds typically name their young based on charactistics of the egg they hatched from, with these said to predict traits of the young before birth. For example, a Kobold born from a egg with a crack in it might be named Çîr, meaning 'crack' in Drakish. This Kobold would be believed to be eagre to be born and restless in life, often expected to be full of wanderlust and a sense of heightened freedom.
Common Myths and Legends
Most Kobolds believe that they descend from the Dragons, hatching from those eggs which were laid down before the Disjunction, but after the Dragons went into their state of torpor. These original eggs, being massive and of the size for gargantuan creatures, are believed to have hatched into dozens, if not hundreds, of Kobolds, which managed to create their society as children. Though this is unconfirmed, it seems a reasonable theory given nothing like a Kobold has ever been seen on Sustain nor Refrain, and that most Kobolds refuse to travel far from their home which almost always centre around a slumbering Dragon.
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