Homebrew "Genius" Kobold Species Details

As a Genius Kobold, you possess a mind that surpasses the natural cunning of your kin, a gift or curse, that emerged from an extraordinary accident or experiment. While most kobolds are bound by simple instincts and devotion to their dragon masters, you and others of your kind have a spark of independent thought, a genius that allows you to rival the intellect of even the most learned races. This heightened intellect makes you an outcast among your own people, as other kobolds view your brilliance with a mixture of fear and jealousy, unable to reconcile your advanced mind with their traditional social structure.

Despite your cleverness, you still bear the physical traits of a true kobold: a scaly hide, a reptilian face, and a lithe, diminutive build. This makes navigating the world outside of a warren a tricky proposition, as you're often underestimated or dismissed by other races, who see you as little more than a simple-minded lizardfolk. Your intelligence, however, provides a key advantage, allowing you to use your wits to overcome obstacles where brute strength fails. Whether you use your intellect to craft clever inventions, master arcane secrets, or manipulate others to achieve your goals, you are a living testament to the idea that true strength lies not in muscle, but in the mind.

"Genius" Kobold Traits

As a "Genius" Kobold you have the following traits:

Ability Score Increase

Your Intelligence score increases by 1, and your Dexterity score increases by 2.

Age

Kobolds mature quickly being able to walk after just Hours. Kobolds reach maturity at 6 years and can live to become "great wyrms" 135 years old, although many don't live to see their second decade. The average kobold rarely outlives 30 years. It is possible the livespan of the kobold is affected by their arcane affliction although this is left up to the player.

Size

Kobolds are between 2 and 2.5 feet tall. Your size is small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Darkvision

Thanks to your draconic heritage, 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.

Arcane insight

Your innate intellect and focus on the arcane grant you a deeper understanding of magic and its workings. You gain proficiency in the Arcana skill.

Naturally Stealthy

Your diminutive size and quick movements allow you to easily use larger creatures as cover. You can attempt to hide even when you are obscured only by a creature that is of a size larger than yours.

Nimble

Your small size and natural agility allow you to move through the legs and under the arms of larger creatures. You can move through the space of any creature that is of a size larger than yours.

Sunlight Sensitivity

Accustomed to the shadows of underground life, you are sensitive to bright sunlight. While in sunlight, you have disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.

Pack Tactics

Thanks to your instinct for coordinated hunting, you have advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of your allies is within 5 feet of it and the ally isn’t incapacitated.

Languages

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