Kobolds

Kobolds are facultative quadrupeds with a lightweight skeletal structure that exhibits both mammalian and reptilian traits. Kobold skulls are more complex than other types of Dragonkin, featuring three ear bones, a single mandible bone, and a synapsid structure, as well as a secondary palate and heterodont dentition. While their skeletons more closely resemble that of a lizard, the layout of their foot bones is more similar to that of a dog, though the toes are elongated. Additionally, while most other bipedal and facultative quadrupedal Dragonkin and Lizardfolk possess three toes and a dew claw, Kobolds most often have four toes and lack dew claws, though there are rare instances of dew claws appearing in Kobolds. Kobolds have tails which are often as long as their body, which they can use for balance.

The majority of Kobolds exhibit a lean, tough musculature and often appear wiry and spindly in appearance. It is rare to find a Kobold with excessive body fat. They are scaled creatures that can exhibit varied colouration, and their fingers and toes are clawed. Many Kobolds have decorative fins and spikes/spines along their skull and back, and in rare cases Kobolds may feature wings. Due to their secondary palate, Kobolds have nostrils placed slightly higher and closer together than those of other Dragonkin, as well as having much softer scales around this area. This gives them the impression of having a puppy-like nose, rather than a traditional lizard nose. Additionally, Kobolds feature external ears which can vary in size and style, with some exhibiting rigid, fin-like ears, some a more upright, pointed ear, and others a more floppy, dog-like ear. It is also possibly for some Kobolds to grow hair, usually on the top of the head, down the back of the neck, and occasionally on the elbows or tail. While this is a rare genetic trait, it is not considered undesirable amongst Kobolds.

Kobolds are Sequential Bidirectional Hermaphrodites, which means that they can change their biological sex in both directions at will. Because of this, Kobolds can be both a Mother and a Father to different clutches at the same time. However, Kobolds cannot self-fertilise nor are they known to be capable of parthenogenesis.

Depending on which sex they are currently exhibiting, Kobolds will present with only a cloaca (female) or with both a cloaca and a hemipenes (male). However, the Kobold hemipenes differs from other lizards and snakes, including Dragonkin, in that it does not feature ornamentation, such as spikes or hooks. In this, it more closely resembles a mammalian penis, thus mating is considered more controlled and less reliant on the male's ability to "hang on".

Eggs are gestated inside the female for around three weeks before being laid. Eggs are generally laid in a communal nursery, where both males and females take turns to ensure that the eggs are properly incubated. While this falls primarily onto the parent Kobolds, nurseries often have "attendants" who check on and maintain the clutches when parent Kobolds are required to attend to other tasks.

Most clutches are two to three eggs in size, however there have been instances of up to six eggs being laid. In the rare instance of only a single egg being laid, these Kobolds are usually born winged. The clutch of eggs is then incubated for six months, at which point the hatchling breaks its way out of its shell using claws and an egg horn, which generally falls off not long after emergence.

After hatching, Kobolds grow and mature very quickly. Their egg horns, located at the end of their snout, fall off within hours of hatching, and they are walking and feeding themselves within days. They learn to speak fluently by the time they are six months old, and are considered to be of the cognitive level of a Human 10-year-old when they reach one year. Up until this point, they are considered "Hatchlings". At hatching, they are considered agender and feature no dominant sexual characteristics.

Between one and three years old, Kobolds are considered "Juveniles" and they begin learning about the running of a Den and the different tasks within. Some Juvenile Kobolds that live in Settlement Dens choose to attend what are known as "Surface Schools" with children of other Species, generally in an environment that sees children of a variety of ages taught together and working on different things. This environment works best for Kobolds, as they learn and mature faster than other Species and thus need the varied environment.

Kobolds are considered adults at the age of three, and become sexually mature around this time too. It is around this time that their first set of dominant sexual characteristics develop, thus determining their "Prime Gender". As Sequential Bidirectional Hermaphrodites, Kobolds are able to change their biological sex at will, though the transformation requires a period of dormancy for two to three days. Some Kobolds choose to retain their Prime Gender throughout their lives, others switch one whim, while others still will choose to switch in order to complete facilitate mating tasks, then return to their Prime Gender after.

Kobolds tend to live in underground or otherwise tunnel-like environments with low light to darkness. While they are capable of adapting to many different types of climate, they generally prefer warm and dry conditions with plenty of access to Cave Moss, which Kobolds often use for bedding, food and clothing. Dens are communal places, with every Kobold being of equal status regardless of job. The exceptions to this are the Den Elders, whose role is to ensure that the Den continues to run smoothly and to punish any wrongdoings. Dens are often made up of many large communal chambers which are assigned specific operations, with smaller offshoot chambers within which groups of Kobolds will live. Kobolds will not steal or otherwise harm other members of the Den, and those that do are often expelled.

In rural environments where Kobolds are not considered part of a settlement, Dens are largely independent and self-sufficient, living off the land by hunting and scavenging. Some Dens, known as Feral Dens, will also attack nearby farms or villages in order to pillage and steal. These Dens are likened to surface Bandit Encampments and are not considered the norm.

Dens located within settlements will integrate with the community and take up jobs within the settlement as an extension of the Den. Settlement Dens are seen as a smaller part of a larger whole, and it is considered taboo for Kobolds within these settlements to actively harm the other people living there. However, there are some Dens within settlements, known as Rebel Dens, that specialise in illicit activities, such as theft and sabotage. These Dens consider themselves outside of the greater community of the settlement, and view it as merely another part of the environment within which they exist. Despite this, Rebel Dens rarely seek the destruction of the settlement itself, as the loss of the settlement would result in losses to their own Den.

Kobolds are omnivorous, though many prefer a largely meat-centric diet. They are capable of eating up to their own body weight in food per day, but are also able to go for long stretches without eating at all. Rural Kobolds are hunters, scavengers and foragers, while Settlement Kobolds will happily take part in agriculture, barter and trade in order to access food.

Kobolds are particularly resistant to the effects of poisonous mushrooms and lichens, but are vulnerable to the effects of alcohol and caffeine.

In general, Kobolds are loyal and pragmatic, with a generally optimistic outlook on life. They face challenges head on and don't tend to dwell on trauma or mistakes, simply learning from the experience and moving on. They are communal creatures that thrive in group environments, but often struggle when isolated for too long.

The majority of Kobolds are excitable and eager to please, though are also prone to hyperfocus in situations that they find exciting or pleasing. They are also adaptable and willing to learn new things, as well as being naturally curious and brave.

Communal by nature, Kobold Dens ensure that every Kobold is treated in a manner that ensures fairness and equal opportunity. All Kobolds are expected to contribute to the wellbeing of the Den in some way, be that by hunting, cooking, making things, or running the nursery. Kobolds who are limited in their abilities due to age, illness or disability are often supported by younger members of the Den in the tasks that they can do, and those who are too infirm to physically work often become the Den's storytellers. As it is rare for a Kobold to lose their mental acuity, these storytellers will memorise and recite myths and history to the Den as and when needed.

The only exceptions to the rule of equality are the Den Elders, who are entrusted with ensuring the smooth running of the Den and that the rules are followed by all. The Den Elders also decide and deliver punishments for those who break the rules of the Den. These Kobolds are considered of higher status and must be respected, however the position of Elder is not a stable one. If a Den becomes unhappy with the way the Elders are running them, the Den can request that Elders be replaced, usually by voting in a new Elder to replace the ones that the Den are unhappy with.

In the past, Kobolds were heavily exploited for use as cheap labour, particularly among societies where slavery was common. While this practice has significantly reduced in scope, places in A'arde that hold less favourable views on "monstrous" species are still highly likely to abuse or enslave Kobolds.

Kobolds can be found worldwide, though their populations are smaller in damp or overly cold climates. They are also less common in areas that are less socially accepting of "monstrous" species, such as the South and South-East of Eirinn, and the eastern regions of Duraloth.

There are two well-known Kobold Dens within A'arde; the first is known as Den Deadridge, located at the Temple of Sersah-Zaco on the summit of Caestar Valdurduuin in the Spine of Ythrynaar. Despite the cold at the summit of the mountain, the Kobolds of Den Deadridge thrive because of their role as Temple Keepers, where they are protected by the Draconic Temple Priests. The second is Den Westdragon, a collective of numerous physical Dens that operate use the same name under the protection of the Dragon of the West, the High Lord of House Fenbrook. This Den is located throughout the western parts of Eirinn where the House holds sway.

Kobolds show a remarkable level of intelligence with regard to their ability to create new objects from what would objectively be seen as trash, as well as their ability to adapt quickly to changing situations. However, their relative lack of self-preservation often raises eyebrows.

Generally speaking, Kobolds have heightened Darkvision and a keen sense of hearing and smell. This means that they can sometimes struggle in bright light conditions, and generally avoid being out in direct sunlight without a hood.

Winged Kobolds have a highly developed inner ear balance mechanism and a sensitivity to magnetic fields which allows them to orient themselves in the air.

Kobolds tend to name their offspring after themes or words that they find fun or entertaining, or sounds that they simply love. These can often come across as poor humour to other Species, especially with regard to names that sound similar to or make references to food.

Kobolds that are part of a Den will often use the name of their Den as a surname in social situations that require them. Otherwise, they tend to make do without. If a Kobold is alone or has been ejected from their Den, they may choose their own second name to use as a surname where appropriate, though many simply use "None", "No Name" or "No Den".

As Kobolds are Hermaphrodites, there are no gender-specific roles within the Den aside from laying eggs. There are also no specific ideas regarding gender aesthetic or expectations. All Kobolds are free to follow whatever direction their life in the Den may lead them, and are free to express their gender in whichever way they see fit. As such, Kobolds are considered one of the most progressive gender-equal Species in A'arde.

Many Kobolds highly value their individuality within the communal space, and it is considered extremely rude to deny any individual their right to identify in whatever manner the see fit.

Kobolds predominantly speak Draconic and Common, with some also learning Lizardtongue when in close proximity to Lizardfolk populations.

Denial of Individual Right to Identify

Kobolds consider it an affront to forbid someone to self-identify as the sex or gender they choose. As a hermaphroditic species, Kobolds do not believe that they are defined by the arrangement of their sexual organs, and therefore encourage individual expression and identification.

Kobolds were among the first species brought to A'arde by external deities during the Age of Renewal, when the Dragon Gods answered the call of the Beacons.

Keppin'yor - lit "lizard dog" = A'arden word for Kobold, from "keppin" (lizard) and "wyor" (dog)

Kobolds are capable of maintaining good relations with most Sapient species, but often find some aspects of Mammalian Sapient culture to be very confusing and restrictive. They particularly struggle with cultures that have strong gender-defined roles and self-serving outlooks, but will thrive amongst cultures that encourage communal altruism and the preservation of individual identity.