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Documentation Area

Document Path: /doc/monsters/kobold

Name:
	Kobold  (Humanoid)

Stats:
	No. Appearing  : 5-20
	Climate/Terrain: Any land
	Frequency      : Uncommon
	Organization   : Tribe
	Activity Cycle : Night
	Diet           : Omnivore

Description:
	Kobolds are a cowardly, sadistic race of short humanoids that vigorous-
	ly contest the human and demi-human races for living space and food.
	They especially dislike gnomes and attack them on sight.

	Barely clearing 3 feet in height, kobolds have scaly hides that range
	from dark, rusty brown to a rusty black. They smell of damp dogs and
	stagnant water. Their eyes glow like a bright red spark and they have
	two small horns ranging from tan to white. Because of the kobolds'
	fondness for wearing raggedy garb of red and orange, their non-prehen-
	sile rat-like tails, and their language (which sounds like small dogs
	yapping), these fell creatures are often not taken seriously. This is
	often a fatal mistake, for what they lack in size and strength they
	make up in ferocity and tenacity.

	Kobolds speak their own language; some (75%) speak orc and goblin.

Combat:
	The kobold approach to combat uses overwhelming odds or trickery. Ko-
	bolds will attack gnomes on sight, but will think twice about attacking
	humans, elves, or dwarves unless the kobold outnumber them by at least
	two to one. They often hurl javelins and spears, preferring not to
	close until they see that their enemies have been weakened.

	Kobolds attack in overwhelming waves. Should the kobolds be reduced to
	only a three to two ratio in their favour, they must make a morale
	check. Kobolds are wary of spellcasters and will aim for them when pos-
	sible.

	This diminuitive race also enjoys setting up concealed pits with spi-
	kes, crossbows, and other mechanical traps. They usually have view
	ports and murder holes near these traps so that they can pour flaming
	oil, missile weapons, or drop poisonous insects on their victims.

	Kobold war bands are armed with spiked clubs, axes, javelins, short
	swords and spears. Their shields are seldom metal, but are normally
	wood or wicker. Chiefs and guards tend to have the best weapons availa-
	ble. Kobolds have 60-foot infravision but do not see well in bright
	sunlight.

Habitat/Society:
	Kobolds live in dark, damp places underground and in overgrown forests.
	They can be found in almost any climate. As kobolds are good miners,
	any area with potential for mining is fair game for settlement.

	The average kobold has 40-400 adult males. For every 40 kobolds in a
	band there will be one leader and two bodyguards. In a lair, there will
	be 5-20 bodyguards, females equal to 50% of the males, young equal to
	10% of the males and 30-300 eggs. There will also be a chief and 2-8
	guards. Further, there is a 65% chance there will be guard animals:
	(70%) 2-5 wild boars or (30%) 1-4 giant weasels. There may be one or
	more shamans.

	Their society is tribal but can be further broken up into war bands
	based on specific clans. As many as 10 families can be part of a clan,
	and each clan usually is responsible for controlling the area in a 10
	mile radius from the lair. Kobolds recover treasure from the bodies of
	their victims and often carry them back to their lair as food. In some
	instances, kobolds will not kill their victims, but will sell them as
	slaves.

	Kobolds are distrustful of strangers. They hate brownies, pixies,
	sprites and gnomes. Gnomes are never eaten or taken prisoner.

Ecology:
	Perhaps kobolds are so cruel because they are easy prey for larger hu-
	manoids and hungry monsters. They have many enemies, and even the dwar-
	ves have had to admit that the numerous kobold-goblin wars have kept
	the number of goblins down to a safe level. Kobolds can live 135 years.