Kobold
Kobolds are small bipedal dragon-like creatures that make their home underground. They live in large communal societies based on mutual assistance. Outside of their homes, Kobolds are typically seen in groups of three or more; preferring to move in groups.
It is common to see kobolds working in service to other groups (typically dragons) due to their assistive and communal nature. It can be easy to assume that the kobolds are being taken advantage of, and sometimes they are, but more often than not the kobolds have agreed upon the terms of their service and are typically more than capable of severing that connection should they no longer feel as if they are being treated fairly.
Naming Traditions
Family names
Kobolds have seven major clans that are used as their family names:
[List clan names here once you find your notes]
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Kobolds mostly speak a dialect of Draconic occasionally referred to as Kobish. While speakers of Draconic are likely to understand some of a Kobold's speech; there are certain eccentrities to Kobish that those unfamiliar with the dialect will struggle to put together.
This has also lead to common speech patterns in Common, including punctuating sentences with the word 'yes' and lack of pronoun use.
Shared customary codes and values
Kobolds are a collective and view each other as part of a larger whole. Even Kobolds who do not know each other are expected to provide assistance to one another should the need arise. All help is expected to be provided without promise of reward, but with the expectation that the favor could be returned in the future. Kobolds attempt to hold these values to other groups and are often seen as naive for their troubles.
In cases where someone is found to be receiving help and not adequately returning it, Kobolds will go out of their way to shun and blockade assitance to those individuals until they make up for what they owe.
Average technological level
Kobolds have little interest in technology; often more confused and frustrated by anything more advanced than a lightbulb. Steam technology is prohibitively difficult for them to use in their environment, and hypertech tends to be too bright and is built for soft fingers rather than kobold claws.
The little technology adopted by Kobolds is Moderna; simple logic gates requireing minimal power inputs and technological knowhow. These tools allow Kobold society to more effectively assist one another or to provide assistance to the disabled members of the community.
Common Dress code
Clothing is not a requirement in Kobold society, but many kobolds wear simple tunics or simple cloth accessories in various colors to promote their individuality among the masses. Kobolds do not produce their own clothing, however. Instead, it is often accepted as "payment" for services rendered or scrounged from what others have thrown out.
Body paint is required in many cases, to help identify Clan association.
Art & Architecture
Kobold architecture is carved from stone, with their homes being carved out of solid rock faces within caves rather than built out of any sort of outside material.
Foods & Cuisine
Kobolds are primarily insectovores, though they are capable of eating meat and have been known to supplement their diets with some mushrooms and vegetables. They are incapable of tasting sweet flavors, so much of their food is known for being quite salty or savory; with their desserts having a strong tartness.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Kobolds are hatched from eggs typically cared for by Clan [Caregiver Clan]. On hatching, the babies are marked based on their parentage before being sorted into groups designed to test their capabilities. They will shuffle between these groups until they come of age in about two years.
Coming of Age Rites
At two years old, Kobolds are considered adults and are sorted into a permenant clan based on their capabilities. They still require some guidance and are treated as apprentices during this time, but within another year they are typically properly assimilated into the group.
Funerary and Memorial customs
Special caves are typically dug out for kobold bodies to be disposed after their death. Kobolds are painted with special ceremonial paint, filled with mushroom spores, and then dumped into the cave. Periodically, the remains are turned and shifted to ensure they are properly decomposing to return the Kobold's spirit to the earth.
Kobolds who have performed notable deeds ensure their given name lives on; given later to promising hatchlings in honor of the impact left behind.
Common Taboos
Speaking ill of dragons and dragon-kin is viewed as taboo by most Kobolds; primarily because Dragons have historically granted kobold society with much of its security.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Lighter, less saturated scale colors are seen as being more desirable among most Kobolds, with the exception of Nightkin who are expected to be much darker and more vibrant in coloration. Short, stocky bodies with short tails are also viewed as more beautiful.
Wings, while rare, are viewed quite highly.
Gender Ideals
Kobolds have no concept of Gender and thus, hold no gender ideals.
Courtship Ideals
Kobold society typically requires temporary mating agreements between selected individuals and members of clan [Caregiver Clan]. These temporary relationships are transactional and are designed to produce healthy desirable offspring. Kobolds are chosen to breed based on their abilities and notoriety within the community.
In rare cases where Kobolds seek to form more permanent bonds (for the purposes of producing offspring or otherwise), one Kobold will present the other with a present, typically a gemstone or some other item viewed as precious, but inherently otherwise worthless. If the gift is accepted, the receiving Kobold is expected to return the gesture within a fortnight.
Relationship Ideals
Partner Kobolds are chosen in an effort to provide both parties with a sense of balance. Kobolds will typically pick partners that are experienced in their own deficiencies in order to promote a more harmonious collective. These partnerships can include up to five separate Kobolds, all working together to create a cohesive unit.
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