Kobolds and Other Races

At about three years of age, juvenile kobolds undertake training in a profession suited to them and the tribe’s needs. They become part of a group already doing such work. This communal approach to raising children engrains important lessons into the mind of every growing kobold. She learns to take action and to help without being asked. Her value is tied to what she gives to her tribe, and her life is connected with the lives of her fellow tribe members. Kobolds treat their tribe as an extended family wherein professionals group together to accomplish needed tasks. The familiarity engendered by these professional groups comes the closest to resembling an actual family by the standards of humans and other, similar humanoids. These professional families live together for the sake of centralization and effi ciency. Kobolds fi nd a sense of belonging in this microcosm of tribal life.

Kobolds dislike other humanoid races. They are isolationists who see others as a threat, and they surround their lairs with traps to keep outsiders at bay. Kobolds also have a persecution complex, taking offense from simple misunderstandings. When kobolds do interact with other races, they do so with a chip on their collective shoulders, sensitive to even the smallest disrespect. As lawful evil creatures with a love for revenge, kobolds respond to perceived insults with actions rather than words, often blindsiding the offenders. This paranoia and oversensitivity means kobolds often enter confl icts where none need have occurred. Other races regard kobolds suspiciously at best, since more than one diplomat has never returned from kobold-held territory. Kobolds’ antisocial behavior becomes raw hatred in the presence of fey or gnomes. Those who enjoy good relations with those races rarely have any love for kobolds.

Dragonborn: The kobolds’ view of the dragonborn is that of suspicion tempered by grudging respect. It is diffi cult for kobolds to overlook the fact that dragonborn were not born with the dragon within them. The touch of Bahamut elevates the dragonborn above their unfortunate nondragon origins, but it is diffi cult for a kobold to wholly forget a dragonborn’s origins, especially when that dragonborn was formerly a gnome. Still, kobolds have been known to cooperate with dragonborn on occasion, when their goals coincide.

Dragon-Descended: Kobolds view the dragon-descended races with almost the same reverence that they reserve for dragons, particularly when they encounter a half-dragon. While no kobold tribe would consent to devote itself to any but the most exceptional and charismatic half-dragon, it would still be willing to go out of its way to help out any half-dragon or draconic character, regardless of what that character’s dragon heritage is. Dwarves: Dwarves and kobolds are competitors for resources in the underground world. As such, they perceive each other as enemies and frequently butt heads over subterranean claims. The dwarves’ close ties to gnomes do not improve their relationship with kobolds, since dwarves frequently ally with or champion gnomes in battle against kobold tribes. While dwarves and kobolds don’t always attack each other the way gnomes and kobolds do, both sides need very little provocation to start a fi ght. On the other hand, if dwarves and kobolds end up working together through circumstance, they discover a common work ethic, which has forged respectful friendships. Elves: Elves bear far too much resemblance to fey for kobolds to trust them. Kobolds acknowledge that the history of elves is long, like the history of true dragons, and that elves have arcane power, albeit learned from books. These facts lead kobolds to afford elves a small degree of respect. On very rare occasions, elves and kobolds even swap lore about arcane magic. Elves bring a wealth of knowledge to these discussions. Kobolds, whose lives are fl eeting by comparison, offer the recorded history of their draconic heritage. Gnomes: If kobolds love one thing, it’s seeing a gnome beg for his miserable life. They despise gnomes, and the feeling is mutual. The two races barely manage civility toward each other even under optimal diplomatic conditions. Despite how well she may hide it, a part of every kobold is constantly looking for a dagger whenever a gnome is present. This racial hatred seems to have stemmed from the injustice heaped on Kurtulmak by Garl Glittergold (see The Ascension of Kurtulmak, page 50). For as long as that legend has been told, both races have committed atrocities against each other. If gnomes and kobolds are ever in proximity to one another without fi ghting, it’s only because each side is taking the time to plan a decisive assault. Half-Dragons: Half-dragons are fascinating and enviable creatures, but kobolds assess each individual half-dragon on its own merit, taking specifi c interest in its draconic heritage. A half-gnome half-dragon is an abomination to be destroyed, lest it continue to pollute the draconic bloodline, while other half-dragons receive some degree of reverence. Dragon disciples, who come into their dragon powers through sorcery, are also a curiosity to kobolds. Half-Elves: Kobolds see half-elves for what they are—the product of an uncommon union between elf and human, nothing more. Kobolds regard half-elves as social creatures that try to facilitate communication between different races. If kobolds were ever to trust nonkobolds with the task of representing their interests (not likely), they would probably rely upon half-elves. Half-Orcs: Kobolds perceive orcs as disorganized, ill-bred warmongers and associate half-orcs with their fullblooded cousins. Orcs are too unpredictable to trust on any level, but kobolds are not above selling metal and goods to orc armies. Dealing with orcs during such a transaction, however, is out of the question. A half-orc representative must broker such trade pacts. While kobolds see half-orcs as the most reasonable members of orc society, the reverse perception holds when dealing with half-orcs from human lands. Only a half-orc who speaks Draconic can earn any real regard from kobolds. Halfl ings: Kobolds hate fey, and the pleasant demeanor of halfl ings reminds them of such creatures. This is not a fair assessment of halfl ings, but kobolds indulge their suspicion of other races fi rst, especially races with possible ties to gnomes. Beneath the judgmental eye of kobolds, halfl ings are duplicitous creatures constantly looking for ways to exploit others. The fact that no self-respecting