Unleash the Kobolds!
You can tell a bit about someone's history with the fantasy genre by asking one simple question:
What is a kobold?
Kobolds are one of those creatures from folklore that haven't really made as much headway into modern pop culture as fairies, vampires, werewolves, elves, and dwarves. They're B-tier, maybe even C-tier fantasy creatures. And since they aren't as common nowadays, interpretations vary wildly. There's really no archetypal kobold character like vampires have with Count Dracula.
Back to the question. Assuming you're talking to someone who has an opinion of what a kobold is, the answer you're most likely to get is, "A small, evil, reptilian creature with delusions of being related to dragons." This version of kobolds was popularized by Dungeons and Dragons (3rd edition, specifically) and has gone on to influence a lot of fantasy fiction. You can read more about that style of kobolds in the Pathfinder wiki here:
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/other-...
Going a little further back, we have the mammalian kobolds. Ironically enough, these were also popularized by Dungeons and Dragons (going back to the original edition of the game--you'd be amazed how many of your ideas about fantasy come from Gary Gygax). The kobolds were related to goblins, but had dog- and rat-like physical properties. This version also spread throughout fantasy fiction.
Other than physical appearance, both versions of kobolds fill a similar niche in the fantasy ecology. They are small, weak, tribal, and violent monster races. They are a common fodder enemy in video games, and generally which variant of kobolds you encounter will amount to a coin flip, with plenty artistic license on top.
You also shouldn't be surprised if you run into a kobold that looks a lot like a goblin. It's only natural.
Kobolds and goblins, you see, are basically the same thing in Germanic folklore. Traditionally, kobolds are in the sprite family, closer related to Keebler elves than dragons. Among those, the most common form was the house kobold. Most commonly depicted as strange, humanoid creatures the size of a small child, a house kobold was a shapeshifting, sometimes invisible, roommate. Treat your kobold with respect by leaving out food and beer when you go to bed, and the kobold will help with any chores you neglected, keep away pests, and generally makes your house a home. Mistreat your kobold, and I hope you have a good insurance plan. A scorned kobold will do anything from hide your favorite spoon to murder you.
In Mid-Lich Crisis, one of the primary characters is a kobold. I tried to combine the folklore roots of the creature with a modern fantasy flair. This led to Princess, a mischievous, cat-like housekeeper who always has a prank up her sleeve. You can enjoy her antics when Mid-Lich Crisis releases on October 11.
What is a kobold?
Kobolds are one of those creatures from folklore that haven't really made as much headway into modern pop culture as fairies, vampires, werewolves, elves, and dwarves. They're B-tier, maybe even C-tier fantasy creatures. And since they aren't as common nowadays, interpretations vary wildly. There's really no archetypal kobold character like vampires have with Count Dracula.
Back to the question. Assuming you're talking to someone who has an opinion of what a kobold is, the answer you're most likely to get is, "A small, evil, reptilian creature with delusions of being related to dragons." This version of kobolds was popularized by Dungeons and Dragons (3rd edition, specifically) and has gone on to influence a lot of fantasy fiction. You can read more about that style of kobolds in the Pathfinder wiki here:
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/other-...
Going a little further back, we have the mammalian kobolds. Ironically enough, these were also popularized by Dungeons and Dragons (going back to the original edition of the game--you'd be amazed how many of your ideas about fantasy come from Gary Gygax). The kobolds were related to goblins, but had dog- and rat-like physical properties. This version also spread throughout fantasy fiction.
Other than physical appearance, both versions of kobolds fill a similar niche in the fantasy ecology. They are small, weak, tribal, and violent monster races. They are a common fodder enemy in video games, and generally which variant of kobolds you encounter will amount to a coin flip, with plenty artistic license on top.
You also shouldn't be surprised if you run into a kobold that looks a lot like a goblin. It's only natural.
Kobolds and goblins, you see, are basically the same thing in Germanic folklore. Traditionally, kobolds are in the sprite family, closer related to Keebler elves than dragons. Among those, the most common form was the house kobold. Most commonly depicted as strange, humanoid creatures the size of a small child, a house kobold was a shapeshifting, sometimes invisible, roommate. Treat your kobold with respect by leaving out food and beer when you go to bed, and the kobold will help with any chores you neglected, keep away pests, and generally makes your house a home. Mistreat your kobold, and I hope you have a good insurance plan. A scorned kobold will do anything from hide your favorite spoon to murder you.
In Mid-Lich Crisis, one of the primary characters is a kobold. I tried to combine the folklore roots of the creature with a modern fantasy flair. This led to Princess, a mischievous, cat-like housekeeper who always has a prank up her sleeve. You can enjoy her antics when Mid-Lich Crisis releases on October 11.
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