Kobold

Kobolds are aggressive, xenophobic, yet industrious small humanoid creatures. They are noted for their skill at building traps and preparing ambushes. In the original Dungeons &amp; Dragons (D&amp;D) game, kobolds were considered goblinoids but they have been depicted as reptilian humanoids since the release of the first edition Advanced Dungeons &amp; Dragons game.

Kobolds are distantly related to dragons, and are often found serving them as minions. Kobolds speak a version of draconic, with a yipping accent. In their original appearance in D&amp;D, however, kobolds are goblinoids and have their own distinct language, pantheon and culture. Kobolds are often described as either rat- or dog-like.

They share their name with a type of goblin or gnome in German folklore (see kobold at Wikipedia), but the creatures are otherwise unrelated. In earlier editions of the game, there were winged kobolds known as urds, who otherwise maintained separate societies from standard Kobolds.

Society
Kobold society is influenced by their Lawful Evil alignment. They will plan and dig mines industriously, while laying cruel traps for interlopers. If they must confront an enemy, they will mass their troops for an ambush. Among the monstrous humanoids, they are known for cunning plans, unlike many they also share those plans among the tribe. General plans and goals are common knowledge, and detailed plans are shared with all who ask to allow them to work fruitfully for the good of the tribe.

Kobolds have specialized laborers, yet the majority of kobolds are miners. Kobolds prefer exile to execution, and in some disputes, kobolds will split tribes in order to spread their kind over a larger region. Kobolds are also extremely fecund egg-layers, having the highest birth rate among humanoids, and mature quickly, in 6 years. They often lay eggs in a common nest, with specialized foster parents to watch over the eggs and wyrmlings (young under 1 year).

Notable Kobolds

 * Deekin Scalesinger is a kobold bard who is a NPC minion found in several of the expansions to Neverwinter Nights. Deekin is a shopkeeper in Neverwinter Nights 2 as well.

Religion
The main deity of the kobolds is Kurtulmak, the god of war and mining. The other main god worshipped by the kobolds is Gaknulak, the god of protection, stealth, trickery, and traps. A lesser-known Kobold demigod is Dakarnok.