Spelljammer Wiki
Register
Advertisement

Kobolds are a minor[1] spacefaring race in the Spelljammer campaign setting, and are closely associated with other goblinoid races, including orcs, ogres, hobgoblins, goblins, bugbears, gnolls and scro.[2][3][4]

Overview[]

At one time the kobolds and the other goblinoid races had a major presence in wildspace, fighting amongst themselves and against the other races in space, especially the elves. Although they were powerful, the goblinoid fleets were divided among a huge number of local chiefs, leaders and kings, and were unable to coordinate anything more than localised raids. However, considering their numbers, these raids completely depopulated whole regions of space, wiping out elven installations, human cities and dwarven citadels.

Most local kingdoms and organizations fought off these assaults as best they could, but the Elven Imperial Navy adopted their own solution: a full-fledged war against the goblinoid fleets in space. Beginning with the Battle of Kule in Greyspace, and continuing for the next decade, fully half of the various goblinoid fleets were destroyed, with the remaining forces scattered and later hunted down.

The power of the goblinoid fleets were crushed, but individual bands remain a factor in space. Those kobolds that survived have gone on to operate in secret if they can, in the open if they must, but always to the benefit of their own kind. However, rumors persist of the remnants of various kobolds fleets banding together and rebuilding; waiting for the day they can avenge themselves on the hated elves.[2][5] With the advent of the Second Unhuman War, many kobold tribes have joined the war effort alongside the scro, who employ them as interceptor and fighter pilots.[6][3]

Description[]

Kobolds are short, barely clearing 3 feet in height, and their scaly hides range in colour from dark, rusty brown to a rusty black. They smell of dank dogs and stagnant water, and they have long non-prehensile rat-like tails. Their eyes gleam red in the dark, and they have two small horns ranging in color from tan to white.[4]

Personality[]

Kobolds are a cowardly, sadistic race who vigorously contest with other humanoid races for living space and food. They especially hate gnomes and attack them on sight. Part of the reason why kobolds are so cruel is that they are often seen as easy prey by larger humanoids and monsters. While other races often don't take them seriously, underestimating a group of kobolds is often a fatal mistake, for what they lack in size and strength they make up in ferocity and tenacity.[4]

Combat[]

Kobolds rely on overwhelming odds or trickery in combat. They will attack gnomes on sight, but will only engage humans, elves or dwarves if the outnumber them by at least two to one. Kobolds attack in overwhelming waves, relying on ranged weapons as they prefer not to close with their enemies until they have been significantly weakened. Kobolds also enjoy setting up traps and attacking from ambush.[4]

Society[]

Kobolds live in dank, dark places underground and in overgrown forests. This preference for small confined spaces is reflected in their living quarters onboard their spelljammers[7] and asteroid bases. Because kobolds are expert miners, any area with potential for mining is ripe for settlement.[3] While kobold society is broadly tribal, it breaks down further into warbands based on familial clans. Kobolds typically loot treasure from fallen victims, which they bring back to their lairs as food. Occasionally, kobolds will capture prisoners, which are sold as slaves; except for gnomes - they are never eaten or taken as prisoner, but are killed outright.[4]

Urd[]

Urds are winged humanoids distantly related to kobolds. Urds are 3 feet tall, with large 8 foot wide leathery bat-like wings, and short ivory horns. Their frail bodies are covered by mottled yellow to brick red scales. Urds prefer to hunt at night, dropping jagged rocks on unsuspecting victims.[4]

Notable Kobolds[]

  • Alaikyn Droon was a kobold shaman and the leader of the Droon, a slaving kobold clan.[8]
  • Ja-Ja-Kek was a master tactician and the ruler of the kobold nation of Tetiketetek on Borka in Greyspace.[9]
  • Ja-Te-Jak was charmed (as per the spell) by the illithid Estriss, and considered the mind flayer to be his mentor and protector. Estriss convinced the kobold to accompany him on an expedition in search of a Juna outpost, and consumed the unfortunate creature's brain during the journey, disposing of his body by throwing it overboard in a sack.[10]

Signature Spelljammers[]

Kobolds are closely associated with the Angelship, especially the Night Angel variant,[7] and the Arrow.[11][6]

Appendix[]

External Links[]

References[]

  1. Jeff Grubb. AD&D Adventures in Space; Lorebook of the Void, TSR, Inc., 1989, Major and Minor Races side bar (pp.50, 52 and 54)
  2. 2.0 2.1 Jeff Grubb. AD&D Adventures in Space; Lorebook of the Void, TSR, Inc., 1989, Goblin Races section, chapter 3: Spacefarers (pp.59–60)
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Bruce Nesmith, SJS1 Goblins' Return, 1991, (TSR Inc.),Kobold Compound section, chapter 3: Gamaro Base Description, pages 48-49
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Tim Beach et al, Monstrous Manual, 1993, (TSR Inc.), Kobold entry, page 214
  5. Nigel Findley, SJR6 Greyspace, 1992, (TSR Inc.), Important NPCs section, Borka chapter, pages 58-59
  6. 6.0 6.1 Bruce Nesmith, SJS1 Goblins' Return, 1991, (TSR Inc.), Topside section, chapter 3: Gamaro Base Description, pages 21-22
  7. 7.0 7.1 Ed Greenwood, SJR1 Lost Ships, 1990, (TSR Inc.), Ship Catalog chapter, pages 39-40
  8. Ed Greenwood, SJR1 Lost Ships, 1990, (TSR Inc.), Death in the Mists section, Adventures Part 1: Beginning, pages 17-19
  9. Nigel Findley, SJR6 Greyspace, 1992, (TSR Inc.), Important NPCs section, Borka chapter, page 59
  10. Nigel D. Findley, SJA2 Skull & Crossbows, 1990, (TSR Inc.), The Outpost, chapter 3: Starfaring Races, page 44
  11. Ed Greenwood, SJR1 Lost Ships, 1990, (TSR Inc.), Ship Catalog chapter, pages 51-52
Advertisement