Kobold

Kobolds are aggressive, yet industrious small humanoid reptillians. They are noted for their skill at building traps, preparing ambushes, and mining. Kobolds are distantly related to dragons and are often found serving them as minions.

Craven Dragon Kin

An average kobold has scales between reddish brown and black in color, with burnt orange to red eyes. Their legs are sinewy and double-jointed. They have long, clawed fingers and a jaw like a crocodile. Small horns protrude from their head, and they have lizard-like tails. Kobolds smell of wet dog and stagnant water. They like to wear red or orange garments, which are usually ragged.

The blood of a particular type of dragon runs strong through some kobold tribes. These kobolds often boast scale colors and alignments that more closely match that of their dragon ancestor.

A Cunning Plan

Kobolds will plan and dig mines industriously, while laying cruel traps for interlopers, preferring an ambush to direct confrontation. If they must confront an enemy, they will try to overwhelm foes with sheer numbers. General plans and goals are common knowledge, and detailed plans are shared with all who ask to allow them to work fruitfully for the good of the tribe.

Tribes and Traps

Kobolds live in the dark, ideally underground or thick forest, in tribal societies. Their lairs are often overcrowded, although when one tribe becomes too numerous, it splits. The overcrowding has eliminated the concept of privacy, so kobolds sleep in communal areas, and nudity is not regarded as shameful or offensive.

The greatest art for kobolds is trapmaking. The other art form is the pictorial representation of the tribe's history, created on the walls of every lair.

Kobold Names

Kobolds are given names upon hatching. A nickname is often used among clutch mates as a descriptive term or a term of endearment. The name might recall an event or center on a habit.

Names: Deekin, Rulgha, Muz, Huk, Kugu, Dobdug, Thulbag, Skudak, Burz, Nonug.

Tribe Names: Redrock, Swamptree, Deadfall, Mudpit.

Nicknames: Scalesinger, Nosebleed, Rotscale, Soggyfoot.

Draconic Ancestry

Dragon Damage Type Copper / Black Acid Bronze / Blue Lightning Brass / Gold / Red Fire Green Poison Silver / White Cold

Kobold Traits

Your kobold character has a number of traits in common with all other kobolds.

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and one other ability score of your choice increases by 1.

Age. Young kobolds grow quickly. They walk hours after hatching, and reach adulthood by age 8. They live to be around 135.

Alignment. Kobolds tend towards lawful believing firmly in the benefits of a well-ordered tribe and are not strongly inclined toward evil.

Size. A typical kobold stands about 2 to 2½ feet tall and weighs 35 to 45 pounds. Your size is Small.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision. Accustomed to life underground, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you 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.

Claws. You are proficient with your unarmed strikes, which deal 1d4 slashing damage on a hit.

Draconic Ancestry. You have draconic ancestry. Choose one type of dragon from the Draconic Ancestry table. You have resistance to the damage type associated with your draconic ancestry.

Kobold Trapmaking. Whenever you make an ability check related to crafting or setting mechanical traps, you are considered proficient and add double your proficiency bonus to the check, instead of your normal proficiency bonus.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Draconic.

Optional Feat

Gift of Tiamat

Prerequisite: Kobold

A few kobolds grow leathery wings and can fly. Known as urds, they like to lurk on high ledges and drop rocks on passersby.

Flight: You gain a flying speed of 30 feet. To use this speed, you can’t be wearing medium or heavy armor.