Melnil | Kobold

The Melnil are a subterranean race of reptilian humanoids, primarily found beneath the vast and rugged expanse of the Rrhazmroran Mountains. Known for their deep connection to the underground, the Melnil have built complex networks of tunnels and caverns that form their homes. Though numerous, they rarely interact with surface-dwellers.

Physical Characteristics

Melnil are small, reptilian humanoids, standing at about 3 to 4 feet tall, with two arms and two digitigrade legs. Their bodies are covered in smooth, overlapping scales that vary in color based on their environment. The most common hues are earthy tones like brown, green, and grey, though Melnil in different environments may also have more blue or greyish scales. Melnil also have thick, scaled tails, forked tongues, and horns atop their heads. Because they live primarily underground, Melnil have poor vision in bright light, and their eyes are highly sensitive to the sun. They can see in the infrared spectrum combined with poor night vision, but are generally unable to distinguish similar colors from each other until they are closer to them. In addition, Melnil have evolved an acute sensitivity to vibrations, which helps them detect potential dangers like cave-ins, though they become anxious and disoriented when removed from solid ground. Their unique vocal structure allows them to communicate through resonant echoes, a type of echolocation-like language that bounces off the cave walls, enabling communication across vast subterranean distances. This method of communication is distinct from their normal speech and consists of short noises with varying pitch and frequency. Melnil supplement their diets with rocks and gemstones, which not only provide them with nutrition but also influence the color and texture of their scales. For example, consuming large amounts of emeralds can give their scales a greenish tint, while a diet rich in quartz may result in a glossy, almost translucent appearance. Juvenile Melnil are especially susceptible to this, with those consuming high quantities of metals or gems developing shiny or even bioluminescent scales, depending on their diet. From adulthood, Melnil are able to use the rocks they ingest to secrete a resilient substance from the area between their palms and wrists known as tunnelweave. This substance is not unlike a strong, rock-like version of spider silk. It helps them stabilize caves and tunnels, as well as being used to help them construct their homes. Tunnelweave is, however, weak to extended exposure to water, with full submersion quickly eroding it while damp areas can weaken it over extended periods. It is also particularly vulnerable to Melnil saliva, which makes it fall apart almost immediately. Caution is taken against this by usually applying a layer of pulverized coal or gravel to absorb moisture, followed by a proper outer layer of stone or clay, depending on what is available in the area.

Behavior and Instincts

The Melnil’s subterranean nature shapes their behavior, particularly their tunnel instincts and ability to navigate vast underground labyrinths. They have an intuitive understanding of tunnel construction, allowing them to sense weaknesses in the rock and avoid potential cave-ins. Melnil are also naturally inclined toward group tactics in both hunting and defense. They tend to rely on overwhelming numbers rather than brute force, using their small stature and swift movements to disable larger prey or enemies. When hunting underground, they often use tunnelweave to ensnare or immobilize prey without spilling blood, as they are cautious of anything that could destabilize their tunnels. Because of their reliance on the ground for stability, Melnil experience panic if removed from solid, stable surfaces for long periods. This fear of instability has led them to design their homes with an extreme focus on safety, including traps and defensive measures to protect their tunnels from invaders. These traps are often non-lethal and meant to disable or capture intruders, but in high-security areas, they may become deadlier while minimizing the risk of bloodshed.

Other behavior

Hunting: Melnil generally hunt by overwhelming their prey with their numbers and disabling it through the use of their tunnelweave to avoid that any bloodshed could become a risk to their tunnel stability. Defense: Tribes and areas the Melnil live and regularly use are generally protected by traps and rudimentary machinery. Most of these traps are designed to disable, trap or simply drive off would-be attackers, though in more sensitive locations they might also be designed to kill without bloodshed.

Surfacers

Due to their nature adapting depending on their diet in childhood, some rare Melnil have managed to adapt to the surface through what is considered the cruel exile or due to plants brought down to the warren during a raid. These kobolds generally have scales colors that match the local flora and are less susceptible to sunlight, but also lack the tunnelweave of their subterranean cousins.

Lifespan

60 years

Average Height

3 ft. - 4 ft.

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