Kobold

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3E Material
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Warrior 1
Small Humanoid (Reptilian)
Hit Dice: 1d8 (4HP)
Initiative: +1
Speed: 30’ (6 squares)
Armor Class: 15 (+1 size, +1 Dex, +1 natural, +2 leather); touch 12; flat-footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple: +1/-3
Attack: Spear +2 melee (1d6/×3) or Sling +3 ranged (1d3+1)
Full Attack: Spear +2 melee (1d6/×3) or Sling +3 ranged (1d3+1)
Space/Reach: 5’/5’
Special Attacks: N/A
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60’, Humanoid traits
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +2, Will -2
Abilities: Str 11 (+0), Dex 13 (+1), Con 10 (+0), Int 12 (+1), Wis 9 (-1), Cha 8 (-1)
Skills: Appraise +5, Craft (trapmaking) +7, Hide +7, Listen +3, Spot +3, Tumble +5
Feats: Alertness
Environment: any land (Siraaj)
Organization: solitary, pair, gang (3-9), band (10-100 plus 100% noncombatants plus 1 3rd-level sergeant per 20 adults & 1 leader of 4th-6th level), warband (10-24 plus 2-4 shocker lizards), tribe (40-400 plus 1 3rd-level sergeant per 20 adults, 1 or 2 lieutenants of 4th-5th level, 1 leader of 6th-8th level, & 5-8 shocker lizards)
Challenge Rating: 1
Treasure: standard
Alignment: often Lawful Neutral
Advancement: by character class
Level Adjustment: +0

Combat
Kobolds are at a disadvantage in a fair fight against other races, so they will not fight fair unless they are forced to. They will instead use their wits to even the field, setting traps, laying ambushes, & using hit-&-run tactics to prevail. Of course, it is said that the wisest fighter is the one who doesn’t need to fight at all, so a wise kobold will avoid battle altogether, preferring instead to flee or surrender if it is advantageous to do so.

Humanoid traits: All creatures with the Humanoid type possess the following traits:
  • Proficient with all simple weapons, or by character class.
  • Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) it is described as wearing, or by character class. If a humanoid does not have a class & wears armor, it is proficient with that type of armor & all lighter types. Humanoids not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Humanoids are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor.
  • Humanoids breathe, eat, & sleep.

Kobold Lore
Characters that have ranks in Knowledge (Local) can learn more about kobolds. When a character makes a successful skill check, the following lore is revealed, including the information from lower DC’s.
  • DC11: “Shrewd little reptilian beings, kobolds are known for their cunning & gift for entrepenurial endeavors.” A character making this check recalls all reptilian humanoid traits.
  • DC16: “They are naturally adept at crafting & learning, among other talents.” A character making this check knows the workings of the kobolds’ statistical bonuses & penalties.
  • DC21: “Kobolds were among the first creatures to make a written language, & it was their tongue that evolved into the Common Speech.” A character making this check remembers the kobolds’ history & habits.
  • DC26: “Kobolds once ruled the kingdom of Haz-Hurad, & stories of its greatness (combined with those of ancient kobold pharaohs) inspire them to this day.” A character making this check is familiar with the nearest kobold-majority settlement.

Abilities & Racial Features
Kobold characters possess the following racial traits:
  • Strength -2, Dexterity +2, Constitution -2, Intelligence +2.
  • Humanoid (Reptilian): Kobolds are scaly & coldblooded, but are still subject to spells or effects that affect humanoids only, such as charm person or dominate person.
  • Small Size: +1 bonus to Armor Class, +1 bonus on attack rolls, +4 bonus on Hide checks, -4 penalty on grapple checks, lifting & carrying limits ¾ those of Medium characters.
  • A kobold’s base land speed is 30 feet.
  • Darkvision out to 60 feet.
  • Racial Skills: A kobold character has a +2 racial bonus on Appraise & Tumble checks. They also receive 4 bonus skill points at 1st level. These points may only be allocated to Craft (any) or Knowledge (any).
  • Kobolds have a +1 racial bonus to Reflex saves & a -1 racial penalty to Will saves.
  • +1 natural armor bonus.
  • Automatic Languages: Common. Bonus Languages: Alhaggi, Archaic, & Draconic.
  • Favored Class: Rogue.
  • Level Adjustment: +0.

4E Material
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Please see Kobold in the Monster Manual 1, pages 167-169.


The little being before you has a strong reptilian appearance, with its distinct scaled hide & thick tail. Its body wouldn’t come up to a man’s waist, & its lean, sinewy form makes it appear even smaller. Despite its monstrous features, such as horns, fangs, & claws, it has a shrewd, cunning look in its eyes.

Kobolds have had a long & storied past. They have been slaves to mightier creatures. They have ruled empires themselves. They have survived wars, famines, plagues, & disasters that other peoples can scarcely recall. Through it all, the lowly kobold (KOE-bold) has weathered all storms with an industrious & persevering attitude that has served them well over the ages.

We know the hardships that the kobolds have endured because of their long tradition of writing down their tales & histories. As one of the first races to develop a written language, their legends are well-developed & highly influential, even to other races. In fact, it was their old tongue that was adopted by the nascent Empire of Admaja, which later evolved into the Common Speech (also known as Qabulai or Kobolish). This gift for language has served them well over the ages, & has helped them to thrive in the civilized world.

In spite of their small stature, kobolds are not to be underestimated; they are crafty, sly beings, adept at making plans & building traps. Kobolds are hard-working, clever beings, full of entrepreneurial fervor, & as such, they have been successful in many roles in society. They make competent politicians, merchants, builders, farmers, & even soldiers. This small, reptilian people have a nose for opportunity, a zest for living & a heritage of talent. Socially, they have large extended families, due to their high birth rates, although they usually do not opt to marry, as they are not naturally monogamous. They tend to be very open & inviting to outsiders, though, which is unusual for most other races.

Also known as Araqurai (from an Admajai phrase, meaning “Little Lizard”), a kobold is about 2’-2½’ tall, & weighs around 35-45 pounds. They speak Alhaggi & Common.

Plot Hooks
  • A series of kobold murders has the local kobold community frightened & worried.
  • A kobold noble, returning from a long journey, is now obsessed with the thought of resurrecting the long-lost glory of Haz-Hurad.
  • A famed kobold craftsman is hiring mercenaries to bring her rare & valuable components for her latest masterpiece.