Kobolds in Dungeons and Dragons are one of the original creatures in the game. They are short humanoids only rising about three feet tall. They have scaly hides that range in color from almost black to rusty brown. They have small horns on their heads which are typically white in color but are sometimes tan. They have red eyes. Kobolds have rat like tails. They are fond of wearing clothing that is red or orange.
Many other creatures do not take Kobolds seriously. Their language is like a yapping dog. Kobolds often appear to be cowardly.
Kobolds in Dungeons and Dragons various editions
The Kobold began in original Dungeons and Dragons in 1974. They have been included in just about every edition since. A number of variant kobolds have been offered over the years as well as a kobold player race in some editions. Some of the variant kobolds include:
- Dragon Mountain Kobold in a Second Edition published adventure by the same name
- Aquatic Kobold in Third Edition
- Arctic Kobold in Third Edition
- Kobold Minion in Fourth Edition
- Kobold Skirmisher in Fourth Edition
- Desert Kobold in Third Edition
- Earth Kobold in Third Edition
- Jungle Kobold in Third Edition
- Kobold Slinger in Fourth Edition
- Armored Kobold Dragon shield in Fourth Edition
- Kobold Skyblade in Fourth Edition
- Winged Kobold in Fifth Edition
Some of the specifics of kobolds are different from edition to edition. In Fifth Edition the kobold is weaker when in sunlight but is at an advantage when they gang up together against a single target.
Kobolds in Dungeons and Dragons are related to dragons!
At least this is true in Third Edition. In the earliest editions they were described more as being dog like and were not associated with dragons. But in Third Edition the lore changed and Kobolds were to be found as minions of dragons and could speak the dragon languages.
What does a Kobold eat? Where does it live?
In virtually all of the editions the kobold is an omnivore. It can eat all kinds of things. And it pretty much does. Kobolds lay eggs. And they lay a whole lot of them when they do. They are not a monogamous species. Their life span is in the range of 135 years.
Kobolds live in any climate. They prefer dark and damp places like caves but also often live in overgrown forests. They often like to dig extensive mines. Their lairs often used giant weasels and/or giant boars as guards.
Kobolds in Dungeons and Dragons appearance has evolved a bit over the years
But most editions have them with lizard like skin. This skin sheds and is replaced similar to a snake or lizard. They are cold blooded creatures. And they never wear shoes. They frequently lose teeth which are replaced during the cycle of their lives. They are usually lawful evil. But some have been known to be neutral. They are more likely to be lawful neutral than evil but not lawful. Lawfulness seems to be a trait common to just about all of them.
Kobolds may be cowardly but they are not stupid
Kobolds are not a highly intelligent species. But they are not without any intelligence at all. They are clever and ruthless. And they love to set cruel traps for their enemies. They are also not lazy. They often work very hard at their pursuits. Especially at mining.
Kobolds are quite capable of using strategy to win against more powerful foes.
I once used a small band of kobolds against a fairly powerful group of adventurers in the 10th to 14th level range in one of my campaigns. The adventurers came across a couple of dozen kobolds in a large room. The room was not dark but it was not well lit either. Several of the kobolds were holding torches. A few of them were scattered in different parts of the room. They were not bunched up but there were a few on one side of the room with an obvious leader type wearing jewelry.
The high level adventurers decided to get their swords wet. The fighters just charged in swinging figuring that they could just hack them to pieces quickly and save spells. There would be little risk right? But they soon found themselves at the bottom of a deep pit with oil about six inches deep at the bottom of it. With the kobolds above dropping their torches into the pit. Another group of kobolds then appeared behind the magic users and cleric and proceeded to work on them. There were several fatalities in the adventuring party. From a small group of kobolds!
Kobolds are capable of laying traps like this. They know their strengths and they know their weaknesses. While they might appear cowardly it is not because they are just afraid to fight. It is because they know that they do not possess the physical strength and stamina of other dungeon dwellers. They know that they must use tactics to win. Not brawn.
Religion of Kobolds in Dungeons and Dragons
Almost every kobold lair will have a temple or shrine in it. They are very religious creatures. Their primary deity is Kurtulmak. This is the god of war and mining. Another important deity is Gaknulak. This is the god of protection, stealth, trickery and traps. Some kobold tribes are believed to worship Tiamat .
Kobolds and Gnomes hate each other
Legend has it that the origin of this hatred came from a prank played by the gnomish god Garl Glittergold on the Kobold deity Kurtulmak. According to the legend Garl collapsed the cave containing Kurtulmak to prevent kobolds from becoming the dominant species. Gnomes, of course, have a different version of this legend in which their own deity is shed in a much better light.
Kobolds are not to be taken lightly
While these creatures are not powerful fighters, alone, they can be quite formidable as a group. They have a collective genius when it comes to protection of their lairs. They set traps. Cruel traps. And when they capture enemies they are fond of torturing them. They will use nets and other such devices to try to capture opponents much more powerful than they are. And they often set their traps in such a way as to give them an advantage in combat.
Take these creatures lightly and you might find yourself at the bottom of a pit filled with oil and torches falling on you!
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