Kobold

"The less-favored children of the True Dragons forsook their oaths to them for reasons not entirely remembered. The Malbud were the first of their kin to carve their own path in the world, trusting in the strength of their blades and brethren to carry them to greatness, instead of the so-called Divines the other species exalted."

From the writings of Gwafa Amastan, a Sword-Saint during the Dragon War of the late sixth millennium.

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The Malbud, meaning "Exile" in Draconic, are the small relatives of the Yatiri species. The Malbud were the first of their brethren to break from the Covenant of the True Dragons, instead choosing to follow the Creed of Manafa. Most of their population is In eastern Huvaria or "the Exile Lands," although prospective Malbud have been found all over the continent of Isan, especially in the sewer systems of large cities. The Malbud are considered an insignificant race by many, but this is to their advantage. Malbud strongholds can be just as rich as any Brevenni merchant or Human king, and larger strongholds sometimes are far richer. The Malbud tend to hate members of larger species and compensate for their size difference with ferocity or cunning.

Subterranean Tendencies

The Malbud tunnel their homes from earth and rock and take great care in their dens. The Malbud also often find themselves within sewer systems or mineshafts created by other races. Malbud dens are far cleaner than the average Human household despite the surrounding material, as Kobolds pride themselves on their appearance of themselves and their possessions. Dens typically between being able to house a few dozen Malbud to being able to house thousands. Larger dens tend to form offshoot dens, which are connected to the main den through the labyrinthine mining tunnels that spring from Malbud dens.

The Malbud live underground for multiple reasons. The first is that it allows them quick access to their mines. Manafa's Creed teaches that productivity, especially when it is in the name of your den, is the most honorable thing an individual Malbud can engage in. The second reason is that it is easier to regulate temperature underground. The Malbud have issues in colder climates, and during the cold winters and autumns of the Exile Lands, keeping warm is important for them.

A Covenant Broken

The Malbud were the first to break their covenant with the True Dragons. The exact reason behind breaking this is lost to time, although historians believe that the Malbud were somehow mistreated by their Yatiri brethren or their True Dragon overlords. Whatever the reason, the Malbud abandoned this covenant and adopted Manafa's Creed. Manafa was a leader of the early Malbud who led them to modern-day Huvaria. There, the Malbud adopted the Creed of Manafa, a list of guidelines they still follow to this day.

The Creed of Manafa only applies to fellow Malbud, meaning that they are expected to act within its constraints but are also the only individuals protected by it. The Creed of Manafa is far simpler than the Yatiri's "True Path," with its only tenets being:

1. Be loyal to your den, even if remaining loyal would result in your or another person's death.
2. Harm no fellow Malbud, unless in self-defense or unless Tenet 1 would be violated.
3. Do not lie or steal from another Malbud, unless there is an ongoing blood-feud between your dens.
4. Tolerate no oppressive or dishonorable leaders.
5. Seek peace first where it is possible.

In the case of two conflicting tenets, one would violate the lower of the two tenets. For example, if one had to lie to another Malbud because their den's leader commanded it, they would be in the right because of Tenet 1. In this example, the dishonor would fall upon the den's leader, who willingly violated one of the tenets. In the case of an individual offending an individual from another den, their den is expected to pay a certain amount of gold in recompense. Because of this, the Malbud are hesitant to break the Creed of Manafa.

Saints of the Sword

The Malbud make up some of the greatest swordsmen of Isan despite their small stature. The Malbud were the first to perfect the technique of "Oneness," where one dissociates themselves to a state of nothingness; allowing them to ignore physical sensations and to fight perfectly without thinking. The Malbud art of sword fighting has been honed for millennia and has been passed down through a long line of "Sword Saints." Swords Saints are individuals held in high regard by all Malbud and are the most elite swordmasters of the species. To become a Sword Saint, a Malbud must slay a Sword Saint in a duel or be accepted as one by three Sword Saints. Sword Saints will teach multiple students over decades to become one, although very few make it past the high standards. Sword Saints can occasionally be found teaching other races, typically Human, for exorbitant prices.  

Accomplices of the Fell Powers

 

"We're accepting the Malbud's help? I know we're at war with the Yatiri, but allowing those demons to fight alongside us is insane! Creator above, they're barely better than Shadowspawn!"

General Iustinianos to King Isar of Gahvasil upon hearing of the Malbud-Human Alliance of the Dragon War

After forsaking their covenant with the True Dragons, many of the Malbud turned to other masters to serve. The most common choice for these Malbud were the Beast-Dragons, a creation of the Deceiver and partially subject to his control. Malbud dens can often be found near or inside the nest of these Beast-Dragons and the Malbud there will serve this Beast-Dragon in exchange for treasure and protection. This service to Beast-Dragons has caused much animosity between the Malbud and other races. Humans are hesitant to deal with them at all, and the Yatiri will normally kill a Malbud on sight. More powerful dens might turn to more cruel masters than the Beast-Dragons, Hylian Gods or the Deceiver himself being other options.

Creating a Malbud Character

• Your Den: Do you have a den that you belong to, or are you a loner? Did you willingly leave your den or were exiled?
• Manafa's Creed: Do you keep to Manafa's Creed, or are you an abomination in the eyes of your kin? Do you keep to another set of ethics?
• Why Leave Home: The Malbud are often looked upon with suspicion and hostility by other species. Why did you leave your homeland for an environment that will treat you worse?

Malbud Cultures

• Exile Landers: Those who live in the Exile Lands make up the majority of the Malbud. The land oscillates between vast grasslands and great mountainous peaks, both environments being suitable for Malbud settlement. Exile Landers often worship the Beast-Dragons that prowl this area, and are reviled for their common practices of banditry towards caravans traveling to and from Tarragon.
• Caravaneers: Caravaneers are a nomadic people, being spread all across Isan. While they worship well-intentioned Hylian Gods, Caravaneers tend to stay away from large settlements and make a living trading with villages and towns.

Malbud Names

The Malbud have only their first name and the name of their Den. Den names tend to be based on geographic features like "Cold Rocks" or "Sundered Valley."
Male Name Examples: Agron, Elseid, Kagiso, Maahe, Siyanda, Tomosenehe
Female Name Examples: Ajkuna, Bukuroshe, Hestoxe, Vanaheo, Ulwazi, Yibanathi
Coming Up With Your Own Name: Yatiri names are typically based on Albanian, Bedouin, and Zulu names.