Kobold

**Kobolds** are a race of small-sized reptilian humanoids that are considered barely above a pest in some parts of Eberron.

## History

According to their own myths, the kobolds of Khorvaire originated at the very dawn of the world of Eberron. When blood was shed during the battle among the progenitor dragons, Siberys, Eberron and Khyber, the kobolds emerged from the blood shed from each of the progenitors.

Most non-kobold scholars discount this view since it would make kobolds even older than the races of true dragons, which believe themselves descended from Eberron and Siberys, but among kobolds it is considered fact.

Some scholars pose the controversial theory that kobolds were driven to extinction during The Calamity, and were only revived due to the Blood of Eberron and Khyber. If true, this may explain why Irsvern Kobolds are extinct (or nearly extinct), as the dead Siberys could not supply blood to reform the flying kobold.

## Biology

### Blood of Eberron

*"Where there are Dragons, there are Kobolds."*

There is a strange and unexplained property of the kobold species that may lend credance to their claimed connection with the blood of the progenitor dragons. Though they reproduce as normal like all humanoids, kobolds will always appear wherever there is sufficient draconic activity. Sometimes an existing clan of kobolds will be drawn to the lair of a dragon, sometimes a mysterious clutch of kobold eggs will be found nearby, and sometimes a group of kobolds will just *appear*, with no explanation. The kobolds claim that this is because Eberron's blood is reawakened where her children loom, and so she sends her eldest spawn to aid her favored creations. The dragons have yet to offer an alternate explanation.

This phenomenon is not something kobolds can control, or are even always aware of, but it has led many humanoids of Eberron, particularly the elves of Aerenal, to fear or hate kobolds simply because they believe immigration of the species to be an omen of draconic infiltration. This is not usually the case, as kobold communities are often forced to relocate after being driven from their homes, but it is true often enough that people are weary of the newcomers. Much to the annoyance of The Chamber, this phenomenon sometimes makes it difficult to perform their operations in secret, and has thus forced the dragons to often work through proxies.

### Reproduction

Kobolds were extremely fecund egg-layers, having the highest birth rate among humanoids. A pregnant female would lay her egg within two weeks. About one in ten pregnancies led to two eggs. An egg needed incubation for about two months, but the newly hatched kobold could walk in just hours. The eggs were particularly sturdy, and the young inside could survive even if the egg broke as much as fifteen days early. Kobold young matured quickly, having reached young adulthood in six years. They often laid eggs in a common nest, with specialized foster parents watching over the eggs and wyrmlings.

### Shedding

Like other reptiles, kobolds shed their skin periodically. A growing kobold might do this as frequently as weekly, but a developed one usually shed once per season. Unlike snakes, kobolds did not shed their entire skin at once; they instead shed portions of it over a period of time, much like lizards do. The process was usually accelerated by rubbing. Bitterleaf was often applied after shedding to help the new scales acquire strength and shine.

### Lycanthropy

At some point in time, kobolds learned to domesticate dire weasels to serve them as guards and hunters. This resulted in lycanthropic kobold dire weasels. Around one in ten thousand kobolds was a natural lycanthrope in this manner.

## Abilities

Kobolds have a natural ability with magic, a factor which they claim lends credibility to their beliefs of origin. Many kobolds become sorcerers or have a minor capability with magic.

Kobolds also have a natural ability with mining and because of their small size are able to get to veins of ore that even dwarves might have trouble reaching. They seem to like to set traps, perhaps a natural instinctive defense mechanism; they often enhance the traps protecting their mines and homes with minor magic.

**Note:** Kobolds' native skill with magic combined with their mastery of mechanical devices in the form of traps would also incline one to believe that artifice might be a natural talent among kobolds, but this has not been consistently observed by outsiders to be the case. Of course, this does not mean that it is not true.

## Subspecies

There are three subspecies of kobold on Eberron: *iredar* or "ones of earth", *irvhir* or "ones below, and *irsvern* or "ones above". Kobolds can detect the subrace of another kobold by scent within 15 feet and are attracted to the smell of their own kind (subrace), even becoming discontent or melancholy when absent for long periods.

### Iredar

The *iredar* kobolds are held to be descended from the dragon Eberron. They tend toward magics of defense and binding (abjurations and conjurations).

### Irvhir

The *irvhir* kobolds are held to be descended from the dragon Khyber. They tend toward magics linked to corruption and darkness (i.e. fear, darkness, necromantic magics).

### Irsvern

The *irsvern* kobolds are held to be descended from the dragon Siberys and dwell in the highest mountain peaks. It is unknown if they truly exist or ever did. The Wayfinder, Tolas Koln, in 867 YK, claimed in a journal entry to have seen winged kobolds with amazing powers of sorcery. Many consider it to have been a hoax, though other kobolds are firm in their belief of the existence of *irsvern* kobolds.

## *Horrid* Animals

Kobolds of Eberron have a natural affinity with and tend to bond with horrid creatures (see Eberron Campaign Setting, pp. 287-289), especially burrowing animals.

## Kobold Society

### Ternmolik

*Ternmolik*, or "stonescales" in the common Galifaran tongue, are the kobolds who perform the prosaic tasks such as farming, gathering and crafting for the community.

### Gix

*Gix*, or "claws" in the common Galifaran tongue, are the soldiers and hunters of the kobold community.

### Iejirastrix

*Iejirastrix*, or "blood seers" fulfill the role of priests, prophets and magic-men for the community, claiming to hear the voices of the progenitor dragons, and leading the clans.

## Lands

Kobolds are known to dwell in many lands, including some as slaves to tribes in Darguun, the Demon Wastes, and the Endworld Mountains of Q'barra. The haka'jhar tribe of the Seawall Mountains regularly clash with the gnomes of Zilargo. Some savage kobolds have emerged from Khyber into the lower regions of Stormreach in northern Xen'drik.

## The Chamber

While the dragons of the Chamber do not give credence to kobolds' own claims as to their origins, they will sometimes use kobold agents, who have been known to have curious and sometimes keen insights as to the Draconic Prophecy.

## Notable Personalities

* **Kethelrax the Cunning:** Kethelrax is the **kobold** warlord of Droaam who sits in the seaside fortress of Shaarat Kol who is favored by Sora Kell and looked down on by the other warlords.
* **Hassalac Chaar, the Prince of Dragons:** Hassalac Chaar, the self-styled Prince of Dragons is a mighty sorcerer and the greeatest sage in Stormreach. This apparent kobold resides in a lair under the city, and may be more than he appears. He maintains a force of lizardfolk who guard his hoard of ancient relics from the continent.

## References

1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 \* Keith Baker (3/21/2005). The Kobolds of Khorvaire. *Dragonshards*. Wizards of the Coast. Retrieved on 2008-3-31.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 ***City of Stormreach***.
Keith Baker, Nicolas Logue, James "Grim" Desborough, C.A. Suleiman (2008). Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-4803-5.
3. ↑ ***Dragons of Eberron***.
Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Nicolas Logue, and Amber Scott (2007). Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-4154-5.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 ***Eberron Campaign Setting***.
Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, and James Wyatt (2004). Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
5. ↑ ***Eberron Campaign Guide***.
James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.