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Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Kobolds*

In my games kobolds are shifty little lizard creatures that believe they are of draconic origin.  I never used them during my Cyclopedia days, their place being take up by ratlings from the Quest for the Silver Sword.  When 3rd edition was released however, the trap making lizards of 3.x really worked for me.  It probably helped that it was about that time that I first read the fable of Tuckers Kobolds!    Ever since reading that I've tried to make them as sneaky and devious as I can. 

In my megadungeon kobolds are going to be an ever-present inhabitant.  They will continue to be sneaky and devious, but they will be more neutral, at least starting out.  They may aid or hinder the adventurers, depending on the circumstances, but out and out fights are unlikely.  They don't survive in the lower levels by being stupid!  Connecting tunnels will exist throughout the dungeon, but they will be so small that no adventurer will be able to pass through them.  The kobolds on the other hand will be able to squeeze through, and that's how they'll get around.

I also want to make them somewhat more alien.  I want their motives to be difficult to fathom.  When they raid a room they take all of the candles (or glass, or nails, etc.), but leave the bag of gold.  Why?  I'm not sure yet.  Like I said, their inscrutable! 


*Topic generated via The Rusty Battle Axe's Another Random Blog Post Topic Generator

1 comment:

  1. I think kolbolds are great for that ever present, annoying enemy that may not kill you, but may make things a lot more difficult. Experts at making bad situations worse.

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