Homebrew Civilized Kobold Species Details

Physical Description

Kobolds are small, bipedal reptilian humanoids. Most stand around 2 and a half feet tall and weigh about 30 pounds. They have powerful jaws for creatures of their size and noticeable claws on their hands and feet. Often kobolds' faces are curiously devoid of expression, as they favor showing their emotions by simply swishing their tails. Kobolds' thick hides vary in color, and most have scales that match the hue of one of the varieties of chromatic dragons, with red scales being predominant. A few kobolds, however, have more exotic colors such as orange or yellow, which in some tribes raises or lowers an individual's status in the eyes of his fellows.

A few kobolds are born with leathery wings and can fly. Known as urds, they like to lurk on high ledges and drop rocks on passersby. Although the urds' wings are seen as gifts from Tiamat, the Dragon Queen, wingless kobolds are envious of those gifts and don't get along with the urds.

Society

Kobolds thrive in cramped quarters far from the light of the sun. Most live in vast warrens deep beneath the earth, but a few instead prefer to make their homes beneath tangles of overgrown trees and brush. Saving their malice for other races, most kobolds get along well with their own kind. While squabbles and feuds do occur, the elders who rule kobold communities tend to settle such conflicts swiftly. Kobolds delight in taking slaves, relishing the chance to torment and humiliate them. They are also cowardly and practical, and often end up bowing to more powerful beings. If these creatures are of another humanoid race, kobolds often scheme to free themselves from subjugation as soon as possible. If the overlord is a powerful draconic or monstrous creature, however, kobolds see no shame in submission, and often shower adoration on their new leader. This is especially true if the kobolds serve a true dragon, who they tend to worship outright.

Kobolds often seethe with hatred and jealousy, but their innate caution ensures that they only act on these impulses when they have the upper hand. If unable to safely indulge their urge to physically harm and degrade members of other races, they resort to careful insults and "practical jokes" instead. They consider both dwarves and elves to be deadly rivals. Kobolds fear the brute power of half-orcs and resent humans for the dominant status that race enjoys. They believe half-elves blend the best qualities of both parent races, which strikes kobolds as fundamentally unfair. Kobolds believe halflings, small in stature, make wonderful slaves and targets for kobold rage and practical jokes. When the gnomes first arrived in the mortal realm, kobolds saw them as perfect victims. This sparked waves of retaliation and reprisal that have echoed on down through the centuries and earned the kobolds' permanent enmity.

Kobold Names

Male: Draahzin, Eadoo, Ipmeerk, Jamada, Kib, Makroo, Olp, Yraalik, Zornesk

Female: Adriaak, Harkail, Neeral, Ozula, Poro, Saassraa, Tarka

Civilized Kobold Traits

As a kobold, you have common characteristics with other members of your race.

Skilled scavenger

You gain advantage on Investigation and perception checks. but you lack Dark-vision.

Ability score increase

You can increase one of the following scores by 1 and the second  by 2. You can choose from: Dexterity, Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma.

Languages

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

Age

Once hatched, kobolds mature at a breakneck pace. By the time a kobold reaches 7 or 8 years old, on average, they are mentally and physically capable to assist the tribe in some capacity. Kobolds can live to be over 120 years old, but usually die to external causes well before then.

Alignment

Kobolds are fiercely loyal to their tribe. Thus, they tend toward lawful alignments. Although the more civilized kobolds left their tribes, they keep their loyalty to the society they are a part of.

Size

Kobolds are diminutive creatures, virtually never reaching over 3 feet tall. Your size is Small.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Slim build

You count as one size smaller when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.