Kobolds are small, reptilian humanoids, with scaly skin that can vary in color from rusty brown to a dark red. Standing at only three feet tall, they have a squat build, long snouts, and two small horns on their heads. They also possess rat-like tails and slender hands with sharp claws. Their small size makes them quick and agile, and their eyes have excellent vision in the dark.
Known World Kobolds: The most common kobolds are typically red or rusty brown in color and are often found in the mountains and hills of the Known World, particularly in the regions of Karameikos and the Broken Lands.
Northern Kobolds: Inhabiting the colder, northern areas, these kobolds have adapted with scales that are often a dull, grayish-brown. They are known for wearing furs to protect themselves from the cold.
Jungle Kobolds: Found in humid, tropical environments, these kobolds often have green or yellow-green scales to better camouflage themselves in the dense foliage.
Kobold names are often simple and sibilant, full of hissing sounds that reflect their serpentine nature. Their names are usually a single syllable. They are not typically given at birth but are earned through an act of stealth, cunning, or trickery. Examples include Skit, Hiss, and Vex. A kobold's name is a point of pride, as it signifies a successful moment in their life.
Like other beastmen, kobolds are believed to be the reincarnated souls of ancient human and demihuman wrongdoers who were sent back to the world to atone for their wicked deeds. This shared origin with goblins, gnolls, and orcs often leads to them living in close proximity or, more often, in conflict with one another. Kobolds are also known to be the result of a magical experiment gone wrong, giving them a special affinity for and hatred of magic.
Kobold society is a strict caste system with a powerful draconic lineage. They are obsessed with dragons, believing them to be the pinnacle of life and power, and will often go to great lengths to serve, please, or even worship them. They are known for their love of traps and their use of guerilla tactics, preferring to wear down their enemies with a series of small, frustrating attacks rather than a single, large battle. Kobold tribes are often led by a powerful female, and they are fiercely territorial, defending their warrens with a fanatical zeal. Their shamans communicate with spirits and other dark forces, using this power for the good of the tribe.