Races of the Dragon.pdf - The Techno Jesus

CHAPTER 3
KOBOLDS
46
Illus. by C. Malidore
Kobolds instructed by tribal sorcerers are directed into one
of four areas of magic—augmenting, offensive, pragmatic, or
preemptive. One out of every four sorcerers studies augmenting
magic, designed to shore up kobold weaknesses and give
them greater stealth. Spells such as enlarge person, bull’s strength,
and haste are common choices for the augmenting sorcerer.
Three out of every four sorcerers become offensive magicians,
focusing on damaging targets from far away, using spells such
as magic missile, fl aming sphere, and fi reball.
Two out of every three offensive
sorcerers become pragmatic arcane
casters, concentrating
on every day work and
mining in particular,
focusing their efforts
on effects such as fabricate,
locate object,
stone shape, and transmute
rock to mud.
One out of every
two augmenting
sorcerers is eventually
directed toward
preemptive magic,
looking for impending
threats to the tribe
with spells such as arcane
eye, detect scrying,
and scrying.
KOBOLD MERCHANTS
Kobold merchants are the most independent-minded
members of a tribe, and for
good reason. They spend more time aboveground
than any other kobolds, negotiating
with other tribes and some other races. Kobold merchants
are the face of a kobold tribe in the world, and that face is
one they prefer to disguise.
When delivering goods to a customer, kobold merchants
magically pose as members of other races, hiding behind
glamers and illusions. Kobold tribes aren’t ashamed of
their interactions with other races, but they prefer to
operate in secrecy to protect themselves. Because of this,
most trading partners are ignorant of the fact that they’re
dealing with kobolds, which is a testament to the guile of
kobold merchants.
Since kobold merchants are independent and allowed
to operate in other societies, one sometimes goes rogue.
In developing multiple connections with powerful leaders
outside their tribes, kobold merchants fi nd it easy to
corrupt their warrior escorts with promises of wealth. The
break starts small but could lead to the merchant starting
a new mine, creating her own base of profi t.
Clever kobold merchants time their plans to coincide
with a population explosion in their original tribe. When
the kobold populace fi nally divides in half, the merchant
already has a location picked out, ready and waiting to be
mined, over which she serves as all-watcher.
This type of self-interest actually works out well for all
involved. Insightful all-watchers deliberately choose kobolds
with individualistic tendencies and leadership potential
Kobold miners make up the vast
majority of any tribe
to become merchants for their tribe. Thereby, prospective
troublemakers are kept out of daily tribal life, and the likelihood
of successful kobold proliferation is increased.
WORKERS
Most kobold workers are miners, the group that makes
up the vast majority of any tribe. Kobold
miners have levels in the expert class
(DMG 109).
The trick to leading kobold workers
is to let them lead themselves.
Left to their devices, kobolds
from every profession embrace
their daily rituals and motivate
themselves to work. If a decision
needs to be made and a
cleric of Kurtulmak is not
around to make it, kobolds
either fi nd a way to stay
busy or make the decision
collectively.
For instance, a
kobold mine is extensively
discussed and
illustrated before construction
begins. A
simplifi ed form of the
layout is put on public
display, and overseeing
clergy draw up detailed
plans. Miners wondering
what to do next can consult
either. Those most experienced
at following design plans lead the work
effort, allowing the rest to follow with or
without the direction of a priest.
This independence empowers kobold workers, because
they know their opinions and the opinions of their respected
colleagues are trusted. Living in a society with no defi ned
social structure, but a heavily defi ned working schedule,
furthers the self-esteem of all kobolds.
FAMILY BONDS
Since most females mate many times and with many
partners to ensure fertilization, no one devotes any effort
to monitoring which couplings are responsible for which
eggs. Kobolds instinctively know their blood relatives
by subtle scent and avoid mating with them, since such
unions are sterile. To further blur the lines of family, all
kobold females lay their eggs in one area of the tribe’s lair,
resuming their duties immediately after laying.
Specifi c individuals, known as fosterers, are responsible
for tending and warming eggs. Many of these kobolds are
also strong warriors, so that they can guard the eggs and
young effectively.
Wyrmling kobolds are initially named and cared for
by the fosterers. When they can move nimbly and feed
themselves (at the age of eight to twelve months), young
kobolds enter tribal life and become the responsibility of
all adults. Young are given minor responsibilities, nurturing
their work ethic and self-esteem.