Kobold

Basic Information

Anatomy

Kobolds are quite small, ranging from two to three feet in height when fully grown. They are covered in small green or brown scales from head to toe. They are bipedal with two grasping forelimbs. Their feet have four toes and their hands have three fingers and a thumb. Their heads have a pronounced snout with a bony protrusion around their nostrils. They can blow air through their nose to make a shriek-like whistle noise. Whistling with their nose is often done to warn nearby Kobolds of danger and to intimidate or disorient enemies. They have non-prehensile tails used primarily for balance.
Their physical weakness and diminutive size makes them easy targets for predators and angry Humanoids, Goblinoids, and Goldiar. This vulnerability forces them to band together. Their superior numbers can win battles against powerful adversaries, but often with massive casualties on the kobold side.

Genetics and Reproduction

Kobolds copulate via egg-laying. They possess no external genitalia, instead using a cloaca. There mating season begins in the fall when the females begin laying eggs. Fertilized eggs can be distinguished from unfertilized ones by the color of the shell: fertilized eggs are a deep shade of green or brown, while the unfertilized are an off-white color. The fertilized eggs are gathered into a hatchery and the others are used as a food source for the community. The eggs need to be kept warm for 3 months while the fetal Kobold within develops fully, at which point it breaks out of its shell using the bony protrusion on its snout. The newly born Kobold will be fully grown by the end of its sixth year of life.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Kobolds are omnivores, but much prefer meat. They catch what animals they can and gather nuts and berries when need be. Kobolds forced to live underground have been known to eat mushrooms, but their digestive systems don't seem to handle them very well.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Kobolds are most often found in the mountains, particularly in the north, although there is a healthy population in the mountains of Prost Forest.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Kobolds can see very well in low-light conditions making them excellent tunnellers when combined with their small size. The favoured homes of Kobolds consist of a warren of poorly lit, cramped tunnels with plenty of collapsable areas and traps of all kinds.
Their hearing is no better or worse than a Human's.

Civilization and Culture

Average Technological Level

Kobolds are not renowned craftsmen by any means, but they are able to cobble together traps and rudimentary weapons.  When serving a Dragon or other master, they have been known to acquire better weapons and even wear metal armor.  Ancient suits of bronze armor shaped for Kobolds have been found in many locations, including The Ghost Fields of the Jakarak Desert, but now days Kobolds are likely to be found wearing nothing and wielding at most spears tipped with flint or clubs made of bone.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Most Kobolds speak a dialect of Draconic quite similar to the one used by Dragons, although there are some variances between regions of Kobolds.

History

It is said that in ancient days the gods created all kinds of Draconoids to serve them and the Dragons in their endless war against the great Demon Kings of old.  Presumably Kobolds were among these Draconoids, a fact that every Kobold learns at a young age.  
When the gods retreated from the world, they left Kobolds in the hands of the Dragons, who used and sometimes abused the Kobolds.  It is in the nature of a Kobold to listen to the commands of a Dragon, even if the safety of the Kobold would be put in grave danger by following its demands.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Draconoid

Lifespan

A Kobold can live to a maximum of 120 years if given a safe enviroment in which to thrive, but few live long enough to see the end of their second decade.

Average Height

2 to 3 feet at full maturity.

Average Weight

25 to 35 pounds at full maturity.

Geographic Distribution

• Dao Mountains
• Great North Forest
• Mount Auk

Related Organizations

• Bilhras

Kobold Player Traits (For D&D 5e)

Ability Score Increase.  Your Dexterity score is increased by 2, your Strength score is reduced by 2.
Age.  Kobolds reach adulthood at age 6 and can live up to 120 years but rarely do so.
Size.  Kobolds are between 2 and 3 feet tall and weigh between 25 and 35 pounds.  Your size is Small.
Speed.  Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision.  You can see in dim light within 60 feet 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.
Shrill Whistle.  You can use your action to blow air through your nostrils making a shrill shriek-like whistle.  Until the end of your next turn, your allies gain advantage on attack rolls against enemies within 10 feet of you that can hear you.  Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
Pack Tactics.  You have advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of your allies is within 5 feet of that creature and the ally isn't incapacitated. 
Languages.  You can speak, read, and write Draconic and one other language, often one used by a nearby people group.