Kobolds
The priestly class of Draconic society, the Kobolds are the first of the four Varnas and are held in esteem even above the Dragonborn. For it is believed that the Kobolds alone were granted the ability to speak to and for the Dragon Gods. Though physically the smallest of the four Varnas, the Kobolds are the keepers of knowledge and tradition in the Dragon Lands. They are also the traditional keepers of magic, and what they lack in physical strength, they more than make up for in arcane ability.
Kobold Traits
- Ability Score Increase: Your Wisdom score increases by 2, and your Dexterity score increases by 1.
- Creature Type. You are a Humanoid.
- Size. You are Small.
- Speed. Your walking speed is 30 feet.
- Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You discern colors in that darkness only as shades of gray.
- Draconic Cry. As a bonus action, you let out a cry at your enemies within 10 feet of you. Until the start of your next turn, you and your allies have advantage on attack rolls against any of those enemies who could hear you. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
- Kobold Legacy. Kobolds’ connection to dragons can manifest in unpredictable ways in an individual kobold. Choose one of the following legacy options for your kobold:
- Craftiness. You have proficiency in one of the following skills of your choice: Arcana, Investigation, Medicine, Sleight of Hand, or Survival.
- Defiance. You have advantage on saving throws to avoid or end the frightened condition on yourself.
- Draconic Sorcery. You know one cantrip of your choice from the sorcerer spell list. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for that cantrip.
- Languages. Your character can speak Low Solar and Draconic. You may be able to read and write any of these languages depending on your Background
History
The Kobolds of the Dragon Lands have a proud intellectual tradition that contends with the Dwarves and the Quanar for the title of the world's oldest. Their earliest sacred texts, the Vedas, were first written down more than three millennia ago, and seem to be based on an oral tradition that is even older. These texts form the literary foundation of the worship of the Dragon Gods, and the primary responsibility of the Kobolds historically is to learn and interpret the Vedas, as well as to carry out the sacrificial rituals outlined therein. As the priestly class, the Kobolds occupy the position of highest honor within the Dragon Lands, although they rarely hold political authority, that being reserved for the Dragonborn. Across the many Dragon Kingdoms, Kobolds are said to be, somehow, closer to the Gods, and uniquely capable of acting as their intermediaries.
However, this seeming uniformity belies greater complexity. For although The Dragon Gods are venerated throughout the Dragon Lands, they are not venerated in the same way. There are countless sects worshiping countless configurations of the pantheon, some including all the gods, some including only a selection, some venerating one God alone. There are even some sects that hold the Gods to merely be manifestations of a greater, higher, impersonal divinity they call The Brahman. In all of the sects, it is the Kobolds who serve as priests, but the sect in which any individual is raised will lead to radically different understandings of their ostensibly shared religion.
Kobolds do not only serve as Clerics, however. As the keepers of learning, Kobolds often walk the path of Wizards, Sorcerers, Druids, and Bards. Given their small size, they are largely unsuited to Martial pursuits, but Kobolds who have fallen on hard times sometimes resort to becoming Rogues, though mainstream society considers such individuals to have dishonored themselves. Many kobolds earn their living serving at temples, a hereditary position, while many others operate the famous centers of traditional learning throughout the Dragon Lands. Other kobolds act as mendicants, wandering holy men and teachers who perform exorcisms, healing, give lessons on the classics, and making charms and protective amulets for any who can pay for their services.
As the highest and most honored Varna, it is rare to see Kobolds leave the faith of the Dragon Gods, but it does occasionally happen. You can find Sunjati Kobolds, Shamsari Kobolds, Jain Kobolds, and even some Helionist Kobolds in the far south (part of a community that claims descent from the apostle Saint Thome). However, having less to gain from leaving the worship of the Dragon Gods, they make up a small minority within all of these communities.
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