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| Kobold | |
|---|---|
 An illustration of two kobolds | |
| First appearance | Dungeons & Dragons (1974) |
| Based on | Goblin |
| In-universe information | |
| Type | Humanoid |
| Alignment | UsuallyLawful Evil |
Kobolds are afictional race of humanoid creatures featured in theDungeons & Dragons roleplaying game and otherfantasy media. They are often depicted as smallreptilian humanoids with long tails, distantly related todragons.
In fantasyroleplaying games, kobolds are often used as weak "cannon fodder" monsters, similar togoblins, but they may be cunning and strong in groups.[1][2]
Kobolds appeared as monsters alongside goblins, orcs, and trolls in the 1971 wargameChainmail, as part ofGary Gygax's "fantasy supplement" inspired byThe Hobbit and other fantasy novels.[3] This supplement inspired the first editions ofDungeons & Dragons (1974), where kobolds appear again.[4] These early appearances depict kobolds only as creatures similar to goblins.
Kobolds also featured as opponents in the first playtest run by Gary Gygax for the originalD&D rules in 1972.[5]: 65–66
Kobolds were first described as hairless humanoids with small horns by Gygax in theMonster Manual (1977) forAdvanced Dungeons & Dragons (AD&D), which also describes them as aggressive, tribal creatures living in dark forests or subterranean settings.[6] They appeared in the video gamePool of Radiance (1988), with their depiction directly derived from that book.[7]
In 1987, Roger E. Moore published the editorial "Tucker's kobolds" in the magazineDragon, describing a game scenario where a horde of well-prepared kobolds uses guerrilla tactics to significantly challenge a more powerful party of adventurers.[8] This editorial became popular among roleplaying fans, and helped kobolds gain traction.[9] The AD&D 2nd EditionMonstrous Manual (1993) introducedUrds, a race similar to kobolds with batlike wings.[10]
Later editions of the game emphasized more draconic aspects, and suggest that kobolds are biologically related todragons, and view them as an object of worship and servitude.[11] In the 3rd edition, the original kobolds were replaced henceforth by the new draconic ones.
A notable kobold character in media adaptations ofDungeons & Dragons is Deekin Scalesinger, an aspiringbard introduced inShadows of Undrentideexpansion pack for the role-playing video gameNeverwinter Nights developed byBioWare. Deekin is originally a follower of the white dragon Tymofarrar, who orders Deekin's kin to travel to a small village called Hilltop located in the Silver Marches and attack adwarven wizard named Drogan Droganson. Deekin meets and helps the protagonist ofShadows of Undrentide, an apprentice of Drogan, and later persuades the adventurer to take him along as a traveling companion. Deekin returns as a henchman in the secondNeverwinter Nights expansion pack,Hordes of the Underdark, where he is depicted as growing in power and stature, even manifesting dragon-like abilities and features as aDragon Disciple. Deekin makes a cameo appearance inNeverwinter Nights II developed byObsidian Entertainment.
The best characters are really your friends that you play with, but this kobold bard is an exception. Most characters would annoy you if they talked in third person, but Deekin pulls it off. He's working on a book and often narrates what's going on around him, even fessing up to passing gas. Deekin refuses to partake in the typical kobold way of life; after all, who would want to be a generic monster?
Screen Rant compiled a list of the game's "10 Most Powerful (and 10 Weakest) Monsters, Ranked" in 2018, calling this one of the weakest, saying "When a dungeon master has run several low-levelDungeons & Dragons adventures, they will inevitably grow weary of using the same creatures from before and will want to shake things up. That's the moment when they prepare to paint over the serial numbers and replace the goblins with kobolds."[13]
Kobolds have been described as "short subterranean lizard-men".[5]: 66 The kobold was considered one of the "five main 'humanoid' races" inAD&D by Paul Karczag andLawrence Schick,[14] and a classic ofD&D by reviewer Dan Wickline.[15]
JournalistDavid M. Ewalt highlighted that kobolds have often been the first combat encounter for new players ofDungeons & Dragons, from its beginnings to the current 5th edition.[5]: 65–66, 209
A.V. Club reviewer Nick Wanserski praised the "thoughtful" look on kobolds provided inVolo's Guide to Monsters: While "such staples as orcs, goblins, and kobolds [...] often get lumped together as a dull monolith", the many details here give "a lot of personality to an otherwise easily forgettable monster."[16]
Kimberley Wallace ofGame Informer considered the kobold character Deekin Scalesinger, aNPC companion introduced in theNeverwinter Nights expansionShadows of Undrentide, amongBioWare's best characters.[12]
[W]e are including a brief set of rules which will allow the medieval miniatures wargamer to [...] refight the epic struggles related by J. R. R. Tolkien, Robert E. Howard, and other fantasy writers.
Treat these monsters as if they were goblins except that they will take [fewer attacks].
Kobolds are usually found in dank, dark places such as dismal overgrown forests or subterranean settings. [...] The hide of kobolds runs from very dark rusty brown to a rusty black. They have no hair.
The body and soul of any kobold is dedicated to dragons, whether literally or figuratively. Kobolds search for the dragon in themselves, and they pledge themselves to the dragon in their rites of passage. In the presence of an actual dragon, kobolds are servile, doing anything required of them. Kobolds see dragons as older and wiser kin and cultural heroes.