Diz
2006-05-18, 01:23 AM
Progenitor Kobold
"Calliva?"
"Yes, Liadan?"
"Do you have children of your own?"
The kobold's teeth showed, glistening as her eyes flickered in contemplation. After a few seconds, she replied.
"Do you know how old I am?"
"I'm not sure... I'd heard kobolds were a long-lived race."
The kobold let out a raspy breath of laughter. "I'm three hundred and eleven years old, Liadan."
The human's eyes widened in shock. "That's... that's..."
The kobold's teeth glistened again in mirth. "That's way too young to be having children. I'm not ready to settle down for a good few decades."
- Excerpt from The War for Caritus, by Mardwick “Fnipper” Beren.
Progenitor kobolds are among the oldest and wisest of races alive on the world of Darlaw. Considered to be the founders of ancient civilization in the northern hemisphere, the progenitor kobolds are a physically weak, though remarkably intelligent reptilian species rarely found in the southern continents. Occasionally, though, one or two will find their way south of Darlaw’s tropics, integrating seamlessly into civilisation, though with some interesting eccentricities. Progenitor kobolds are most often found in situations requiring a powerful mind, usually dabbling in wizardry with their taller, mammalian fellows.
Whilst reaching physical maturity at the age of fifteen, progenitor kobolds mature mentally at a much slower rate. Indeed, progenitor kobolds do not reach full independence until around their two hundredth year. Progenitor kobolds age remarkably slowly, outliving even the elves of Darlaw, and legend has it that some kobolds can live for more than a millennium.
Progenitor kobolds stand at around 2 to 2½ feet tall, and usually weigh between 35 and 45 pounds. Their heads are similar in shape to those of dogs, a rat-like tail, and their skin is scaly and usually a dusty brown color. During their fertile seasons (which usually occur during the summers of their fourth century), the males will develop bright blue scales all over their bodies, and females will conversely develop a dark red coloration. Virtually all kobolds speak fluent Common from a very early age, though amongst themselves they prefer the ancient language of Draconic. Most of them have mastered at least one other language from a wide range of tongues.
Progenitor kobolds as characters
Progenitor kobolds possess the following racial traits:
- Small Humanoid (Reptilian). Kobolds are distantly related to the dragons and the lizardfolk, among other scaly species.
- -2 Strength, +2 Dexterity, -2 Constitution, +2 Intelligence.
- Small size: +1 bonus to Armor Class, +1 bonus on attack rolls, +4 bonus on Hide checks, -4 penalty to grapple checks, lifting and carrying limits are ¾ those of Medium creatures.
- A progenitor kobold’s base land speed is 20 feet. They are nimble, but small-legged creatures.
- Racial Skills: Progenitor kobolds have an uncanny knack for arcane and academic studies. They gain a +2 racial bonus to Knowledge (arcana), Profession (scribe), and Spellcraft.
- Languages: Common, Draconic. Bonus languages: Abyssal, Celestial, Dwarven, Elven, Infernal, Undercommon. Progenitor kobolds are unusually skilful linguists, and usually speak the languages of older races, devils, demons, and angels.
- Favored Class: Wizard.
- Level Adjustment: +0.
Age, height and weight
Adulthood: 200 years
plus: +8d6 (barbarian, rogue, sorcerer), +12d6 (bard, fighter, paladin, ranger). +20d6 (cleric, druid, monk, wizard).
Middle age: 400 years; old age: 550 years; Venerable: 800 years; maximum age: +3d% years.
Base height (male): 2'; Height modifier +2d3; base weight 30 lb.; weight modifier x 1 lb.
Base height (female): 2'; Height modifier +2d3; base weight 28 lb.; weight modifier x 1 lb.
Comments, preferably constructive ones, are always welcome. (By the way, I'm using Calliva Kertelmaka, a progenitor kobold NPC wizard in my current campaign... she wears a wig, swears a lot and drinks copious amounts of whiskey, trying as she does to fit in with the humans...!)
EDIT: Changed -2 Charisma penalty for a more sensible -2 Constitution - otherwise they'd have required a level adjustment penalty! (and some standardised English, as a Brit I find it hard to put a "z" in "civilisation" :P)
"Calliva?"
"Yes, Liadan?"
"Do you have children of your own?"
The kobold's teeth showed, glistening as her eyes flickered in contemplation. After a few seconds, she replied.
"Do you know how old I am?"
"I'm not sure... I'd heard kobolds were a long-lived race."
The kobold let out a raspy breath of laughter. "I'm three hundred and eleven years old, Liadan."
The human's eyes widened in shock. "That's... that's..."
The kobold's teeth glistened again in mirth. "That's way too young to be having children. I'm not ready to settle down for a good few decades."
- Excerpt from The War for Caritus, by Mardwick “Fnipper” Beren.
Progenitor kobolds are among the oldest and wisest of races alive on the world of Darlaw. Considered to be the founders of ancient civilization in the northern hemisphere, the progenitor kobolds are a physically weak, though remarkably intelligent reptilian species rarely found in the southern continents. Occasionally, though, one or two will find their way south of Darlaw’s tropics, integrating seamlessly into civilisation, though with some interesting eccentricities. Progenitor kobolds are most often found in situations requiring a powerful mind, usually dabbling in wizardry with their taller, mammalian fellows.
Whilst reaching physical maturity at the age of fifteen, progenitor kobolds mature mentally at a much slower rate. Indeed, progenitor kobolds do not reach full independence until around their two hundredth year. Progenitor kobolds age remarkably slowly, outliving even the elves of Darlaw, and legend has it that some kobolds can live for more than a millennium.
Progenitor kobolds stand at around 2 to 2½ feet tall, and usually weigh between 35 and 45 pounds. Their heads are similar in shape to those of dogs, a rat-like tail, and their skin is scaly and usually a dusty brown color. During their fertile seasons (which usually occur during the summers of their fourth century), the males will develop bright blue scales all over their bodies, and females will conversely develop a dark red coloration. Virtually all kobolds speak fluent Common from a very early age, though amongst themselves they prefer the ancient language of Draconic. Most of them have mastered at least one other language from a wide range of tongues.
Progenitor kobolds as characters
Progenitor kobolds possess the following racial traits:
- Small Humanoid (Reptilian). Kobolds are distantly related to the dragons and the lizardfolk, among other scaly species.
- -2 Strength, +2 Dexterity, -2 Constitution, +2 Intelligence.
- Small size: +1 bonus to Armor Class, +1 bonus on attack rolls, +4 bonus on Hide checks, -4 penalty to grapple checks, lifting and carrying limits are ¾ those of Medium creatures.
- A progenitor kobold’s base land speed is 20 feet. They are nimble, but small-legged creatures.
- Racial Skills: Progenitor kobolds have an uncanny knack for arcane and academic studies. They gain a +2 racial bonus to Knowledge (arcana), Profession (scribe), and Spellcraft.
- Languages: Common, Draconic. Bonus languages: Abyssal, Celestial, Dwarven, Elven, Infernal, Undercommon. Progenitor kobolds are unusually skilful linguists, and usually speak the languages of older races, devils, demons, and angels.
- Favored Class: Wizard.
- Level Adjustment: +0.
Age, height and weight
Adulthood: 200 years
plus: +8d6 (barbarian, rogue, sorcerer), +12d6 (bard, fighter, paladin, ranger). +20d6 (cleric, druid, monk, wizard).
Middle age: 400 years; old age: 550 years; Venerable: 800 years; maximum age: +3d% years.
Base height (male): 2'; Height modifier +2d3; base weight 30 lb.; weight modifier x 1 lb.
Base height (female): 2'; Height modifier +2d3; base weight 28 lb.; weight modifier x 1 lb.
Comments, preferably constructive ones, are always welcome. (By the way, I'm using Calliva Kertelmaka, a progenitor kobold NPC wizard in my current campaign... she wears a wig, swears a lot and drinks copious amounts of whiskey, trying as she does to fit in with the humans...!)
EDIT: Changed -2 Charisma penalty for a more sensible -2 Constitution - otherwise they'd have required a level adjustment penalty! (and some standardised English, as a Brit I find it hard to put a "z" in "civilisation" :P)