K is for Kobold

Origins & Mythological Mishaps

The Kobold is a small, subterranean trickster that occupies the lowest rung of the draconic family tree. Scholars note that while dragons received the wings, the fire breath, and the massive gold hoards, Kobolds received the scales, a deep love for digging holes, and a severe case of short-stature anxiety. To compensate for their size, they have become the premier structural engineers of the underworld, building elaborate trap systems that are often entirely too complex for the simple rooms they are trying to protect.

Physical Traits & Quirks

Scale Pattern

Shiny, reptilian, and usually covered in subterranean mud. They come in various shades of red and brown, allowing them to blend perfectly into rocky walls until they step on their own tripwires.

Trap Obsessed

A Kobold cannot look at a hallway without wanting to install a swinging log, a pitfall, or a bucket of water above the door. Modern nerd dads note that a nursery managed by a Kobold is an absolute logistics hazard.

Draconic Pride

Despite being smaller than a standard halfling, every Kobold is entirely convinced they are next in line to inherit a volcanic kingdom. They speak in a highly dramatic, booming voice that does not match their tiny frames.

Tactical Advantage

They gain a massive combat bonus when fighting in packs within cramped tunnels. However, their entire defensive strategy crumbles if you show them a drawing of a slightly larger dragon, causing them to immediately stop fighting and bow in reverence.