Homebrew BrightScale Kobold Species Details

Kobolds By Day

Naturally skilled tunnelers, kobolds dwell in expansive underground lairs (warrens) beneath rolling hills or along rocky valleys. Kobold warrens are typically unnoticeable from aboveground and only accessible via tiny, discreet entrances.

Brightscale communities are tightly knit, both by kinship and physical proximity: living spaces, meals, and child-rearing duties are shared by all, and clan members are raised with essentially zero expectations of privacy. This instinctual collectivism can sometimes come as quite a shock to other folk if, for example, a kobold offers to share their bedroll with a new acquaintance, or snatches a bit of food without asking.

Unlike other kobolds, Brightscale kobolds are diurnal. They engage in the normal daily activities of other comfortable, civilized folk: trade, agriculture, and play. At dusk, they return to their warrens, where dozens of individuals may curl up and sleep together in warm, sandy hollows.

Religion

Brightscale kobolds look on their squabbling cousins with disdain, and universally revile the kobold god Kurtulmak, whose schemes prevent other races from seeing them as equals.

Instead, they are inclined to worship deities who embody their enlightened values. The dwarven gods Moradin and Gorm Gulthyn, and the halfling goddess Yondalla, are most common, followed by Oghma, Selune, and Torm. A scant few have adopted their ancestors' beliefs in kobold supremacy, turning to evil deities such as Bane and Talona.

Brightscale kobolds don't usually worship Bahamut or Tiamat, but speak of both with an ancestral reverence. 

Kobolds believe that they were created by Tiamat from the blood of dragons — a view supported by their reptilian (they would say draconic) appearance. Brightscale kobold clans are proud of their lineage and the supernatural power it represents, but prouder still of their ancestral Broodmother: The first and only kobold Queen, who broke the bonds of dragon worship, uplifted and blessed her clan and its descendants with open-mindedness.

Shrewd Neighbors

Brightscale kobolds are cautious when interacting with other races, especially at first meeting. When making themselves known to a nearby settlement, a clan will usually bring gifts or provide unexpected assistance as a show of good faith.

Brightscale kobolds are never obsequious, and instead seek to befriend other free folk as equals; the even-handed communities of humans and halflings are most promising in that regard. They admire dwarves for their cunning stonework and noble lineages, but fear their long grudges and heavy mattocks; and take extra precautions when dealing with elves, who strike them as dangerous and unpredictable. Despite being inclined to forgive and forget the enmity between their races, Brightscale kobolds also avoid interacting with gnomes, who are unlikely to tolerate their presence. 

Kobolds are fond of dragonborn, likening them to large, distant cousins; and also empathize with tieflings, who face similar prejudices from society. Despite these relationships, Brightscale kobolds rarely gain the trust of others with "sinister" heritage.

Subraces

Brightscale lineages split long ago, forming at least two distinct subraces.

• Sunscale kobolds are most commonly found along the Sword Coast, inhabiting warrens of about 40 to 100 residents. A typical Sunscale warren will be prudently situated a few hours away from the nearest city or trade road.
  
  The largest Sunscale settlement, Riverrock, boasts a population of over 500. Nestled in the foothills of the dangerous Trollclaws, Riverrock is a reinforced burrow-city of cunning stonework, protected by hidden arrow slits and fire-traps. Tormscale Warrens, another famous Sunscale settlement, is constructed partially above ground, and features comfortable quarters for humans as well as kobolds. Tormscale Warrens is a northern outpost for Elturgard's defenders, including a handful of proud Tormscale paladins and warriors.
  
  

• Whiteclaw kobolds can be found scattered all over Faerûn, living in isolated, self-sufficient settlements of up to 80 individuals. A typical Whiteclaw settlement is split into 4 to 6 separate warrens, each of which is home to one matriarchal unit, or brood. If necessary, the ruling matriarchs will gather to weigh serious matters; otherwise, the broods act independently from each other, with separate activities, meals, and rituals. Occasionally, a matriarch will leave to form a new clan somewhere else.

  Many Whiteclaw clans are nomadic, and migrate throughout the year to follow game animals or trade routes. While abroad, the clan shelters in small, temporary burrows, returning each winter to its ancestral warrens, to give thanks and share stories. Examples include the ancestral Whiteclaw barbarian tribe, still roaming unseen in the eastern lands; and bold entrepreneur clans that travel in merchant caravans or festival troupes.

Kobold Names

Most kobold names are derived from the Draconic tongue and usually relate to a characteristic of the owner, such as scale color, distinctive body parts, or typical behavior. For example, “Red Tail,” “Hook Tooth,” and “Stumble” are Common translations of often-used names. Kobolds who live among other humanoids sometimes use their translated name, or adopt a (often misguided or nonsensical) Common-sounding name.

The Kobold Names table presents kobold names suitable for any campaign.

BrightScale Kobold Traits

A band of tall-folk visited Up Top this afternoon, causing quite a stir with a most peculiar story: Bound from Boareskyr Bridge, they had been ambushed by lizardfolk, right there on the Trade Way! They were outnumbered, captured, and destined for the slave pits it would seem, until--though it's nigh unbelievable--they were rescued by kobolds! A whole gaggle of 'em, civilized and with sharp steel, charging down from the foothills to drive off those lizardfolk. Sent 'em scampering back to the Forest of Wyrms, by Arvoreen's Swords! Before today, I ne'er heard of any kobold who cared diddly for other folk; but hence, many in town have shared similar tidings, which at first they had rightly discounted as mere rumors. What's next, kobold neighbors? May Cyrrollalee guide us! — Diary of Hobner Winfallow, Master Brewer of Hardbuckler