Kobald

Kobald

Species	humanoid (goblinish)
No. Appearing	5–50
Behaviour	clan
Range	alpine, subterranean, taiga, tundra, urban
Size	3 ft. 6 in. tall
Weight	35 lbs.
Intelligence	7–8
Armour Class	7
Hit Dice	1
Action Points	4
Max. Stride	{{{stride}}}
THAC0	20
Hp/Die	d4
Attack Forms	claw, by weapon type
Damage	1–3, varies
Special Attacks	infravision

Kobalds are diminuative humanoid creatures with some reptilian features that are closely related to goblins. They possess a long, snaking tail slightly longer than their legs, and have flat, lizard-like skulls that may or may not possess elaborate bony ridges, spikes or horns. They are not particularly bright and are the only widespread humanoid that has no distinct homeland. Kobalds are scattered throughout the Eurasian continent and have been encountered as far south as Madagaskara.

History

Kobalds appear to have emerged from the Kodar Mountain gate in the last years it was open, after hobgoblins, goblins and norkers had established themselves. The kobalds were preyed upon, enslaved and later granted subordinate roles within the larger entities of Vostoch, Trakkatch Dran and Magloshkagok. They began to attach themselves as mercenary soldiers to westward-moving tribes as early as the 2nd century, when they were first encountered by the Romans. In great numbers, kobalds make effective archers; they are often employed as scouts and messangers, as they are able to conceal themselves easily due to their size.

Presently they are seen as a pest, as they inhabit the underground of most large cities and will occasionally build defensive villages in isolated locales, from which they will raid farms or waylay travellers.

Jankent

Jankent is a deserted ruin east of the Aral Sea in Orza-Ko, the largest community of kobalds that has ever existed. It is known from Arab writings of the 10th century. Located on the left bank of the Syr Darya, about 16 miles southwest of the present-day Jagatai town of Vozzak. On the site there are the ruins of walls up to 23 ft. high in places, enclosing an area of about 40 acres; visible elements include a broadly rectangular wall oriented east-west, given a T-shaped appearance by a southern "cross-bar." An enclosed citadel in the north-west corner; and a low mound outside the eastern gate that was used for religious sacrifices. It's estimated that the kobald population numbered nearly 20,000 when the city was razed by 1221 during Genghis Khan's conquest of the Khwarezmian Empire.

Distribution

WORKING...

The society of these creatures is tribal with war bands based on gens. The stronger tribes rule weaker ones. Kobolds are usually found in dank, dark places such as dismal overgrown forests or subterranean settings. They hate bright sunlight, not being able to see well in it, but their night vision is excellent, and they have infra-red vision which operates well up to 60'. If they are in bright sunlight they have a lesser chance to fight well (-1 from dice rolls to hit opponents). For every 40 kabolds encountered there will be a leader and two guards who are equal to goblins, each having 4 hit points, armor class 6, and doing 1-6 points of damage. If 200 or more kobolds are encountered in their lair there will be the following additional creatures there: 5-20 guards (as bodyguards above), females equal to 50% of the total number, young equal to 10% of the total number, and 30-300 eggs. There will always be a chief and his bodyguard in the kobold lair. It is also probable (65%) that there will be from 2-5 wild boars (70%) or 1-4 giant weasels (30%) in a kabold lair; the animals will serve as guards. A force of kabolds is typically equipped as follows: short sword and javelin short sword and spear short sword axe spiked wooden club javelins (2-3) spear 5% 10% 10% 20% 30% 15% 10% Chief and guard types always have the best available weapons. All kobold shieldsare of wood or wickerwork. Kobolds hate most other life, delighting in killing and torture. They particularly hate such creatures as brownies, pixies, sprites and gnomes. They war continually with the latter, and will attack them on sight. In addition to the tongues of lawful evil and kobolds, these monsters can usually (75%) speak goblin and orcish. Description: The hide of kabolds runs from very dark rusty brawn to a rusty black. They have no hair. Their eyes are reddish and their small horns are tan to white. They favor red or orange garb. Kobolds live for up to 135 years.

See Bestiary