Half-Kobold (3.5e Race)

A "race's compendium" race created by
Da Dinitus

Half-Kobold

Kobolds - scrawny little yapping Draconic beings, usually serving in armies of the damned as cannon fodder. Haughty adventurers tend to see them as punching bags for the beginning adventurer and hero-to-be, while others see them as conniving little reptiles. Of course, the Kobold can adapt to city-life, turning their ways from evil to more peaceful means of spending their days - sorcerers may turn to become shopkeepers of magical items, warriors may turn to rangers and scouts, and perhaps one Kobold may rise to become a Paladin to a benevolent God such as Bahamut.

Still, that leaves enough distrust to the reptilians. But every so often, exemplary souls may be accepted in a community dominated by other races that would otherwise look down on them. Some may even find love and happiness with people of other races.

It is there that some may frown their brows. For what if there would come children from whatever union the two lovers enjoy?

Perhaps it is cruel a twist of fate, bitter irony, a curse of a mad sorcerer in ages past, or perhaps the intervention of a Goddess of Love that the fruit of their love, from a kobold and a non-kobold, this halfbreed may be borne. What will fate have in store for them? Only time will tell...

Personality

Depending on how a Half-Kobold was raised, and in what kind of environment she lived, Half-Kobolds can be as diverse as any individual. Generally, if people were accepting, Half-Kobolds may come over as happy-go-lucky characters that wish to enjoy life to the fullest. Raised by loving parents, but in a society that spurns her, the Half-Kobold may be distrusting to strangers, but loyal to those that accept her. Similar to how Half-Orcs may be treated and how they behave in proximity of other people, Half-Kobolds tend to be looked down upon (sometimes quite literally) unless they prove themselves, intimidate, or simply live by life's rules as best as they can. Generally, they are inquisitive by nature, but fidgety and careful, similar to Kobolds. They also tend to have a fancy for shinnies, gold in particular.

Physical Description

Half-Kobolds are the offspring of a human and a Kobold. Half-Kobolds may stand from anywhere around 3.5 feet to around 5 feet in height, and tend to have a lithe, light body. Their arms and legs are, in comparison, longer than those of a normal human, their heads slightly shorter in height. It isn't unusual for a Half-Kobold to have a bit of a snout, but nothing too big compared to a usual Kobold. They tend to weigh anything from 40 to 70 pounds, with males being generally heavier build than female Half-Kobolds. A Half-Kobold's skin can be very diversely colored - dark reds and browns are common on the back and backs of their arms and legs, while lighter shades of brown and red, to even yellow and common skin colorations are a possibility. Sometimes, stripes or spots may adorn a Half-Kobold's body. Usually, their slightly rough and bumpy hides, with lithoderm-growths on them similar to those of reptiles, make them easy to distinguish. Small ridges of bone, frills and tiny horns also aren't a peculiarity to find on a Half-Kobold. Usually, Half-Kobolds have very little body hair, though they sometimes may have beautifully kept long hair on the back of their heads. Such hair tends to be brown, black or blond. Their eyes usually are like a cat's, in red, yellow or brown, though it isn't uncommon for a Half-Kobold to have one eye like a Kobold's and the other like that of the other parent. A Half-Kobold's hands and feet tend to seem elongated. On the hands, there appear to be no pinky-fingers, and their other three fingers and thumb on the hand usually end in small claws: enough to cut with, but not exactly to cause good harm. Usually, their four-toed feet are similar to a human's, plantigrade - meaning, they walk on the soles of their feet. Sometimes, their Kobold traits may be more dominant, causing them to walk digigrade - on their toes. A series of thin, plate-like scales tends to run down the chest all the way down to the groin of a Half-Kobold, usually as wide as halfway across the pectorali major and minor (or, roughly translated, just slightly off from one's nipples). Half-Kobolds also have short, stubby tails incapable of major articulation - compared to Kobolds themselves, those almost seem prehensile. Because of that, Half-Kobolds pretty much must sit on some seating that allows their tails to stick out. Half-Kobolds age similar to their human parent, though mature a bit more early and live a bit longer than the average human - a decade or two, three.

Relations

As noted before, how well Half-Kobolds may get along with others almost entirely depends on how they were raised and in what kind of environment. Usually, they are almost always seen with an awkward eye, met with distrust, and sometimes, downright hostility. Some Half-Kobolds accept this kind of behavior, either evading people altogether or trying to prove themselves as a people who don't deserve to be downtrodden like that. But a Half-Kobold may also be hostile in return, if their lives weren't as favorable, perhaps even to the point of becoming as scheming as their perhaps less fairer half of their bloodline. Still, they show a strong sense of loyalty to those that do trust in them and who can see them as friends, returning their gratitude in fullest and earnest. Woe the one, however, to cross them by breaking their trust in them. Coupled with their sometimes enhanced age, a Half-Kobold may become an enemy for life. Finally, Half-Kobolds are quite rare a halfbreed. No-one exactly knows how and why they have come to be, and those few that do exist tend to be met with skepticism and cynicism.

Alignment

Half-Kobolds are diverse as their parents are, and any alignment of Half-Kobolds can be found. They have a streak for law, however, because of their Kobold heritage, as well as for their sense of loyalty and friendship they may share with close friends.

Lands

Usually, Half-Kobolds can be found anywhere where humanoids and Kobolds mingle, preferably in peace. They may be seen as peculiarities, sometimes even as outcasts, but if they are valued members of a community, nothing pretty much could oppose them in becoming a well-respected merchant, guard, adventurer or whatnot in the future.

Religion

Half-Kobolds can follow the paths of any God or Goddess, usually adapting the religious views of their parents if they haven't decided for themselves in which deity to trust.

Language

Half-Kobolds speak Common and may learn whatever other languages it may pick up in the community it was raised in or in the safety of their parents' home. Some may learn the Draconic tongue from their Kobold parent, but there are enough Half-Kobolds who have never been taught this. It may be because the parents are against it one way or another, or simply because the Kobold parent wouldn't bother with any other language from Common or whatever language was used most in the community the Half-Kobold was raised in.

Names

Half-Kobolds tend to have their names given by their non-kobold parent, though Kobold names aren't uncommon; sometimes they're bearing a clan name of the Kobold parent, and the last name of the family they were born in. It can be very diverse, as a human name can be.

Adventures

Because of their heritage, enough Half-Kobolds set out because they feel they are wronged by their community or even their parents, wanting to be free for themselves, or to prove their worth and right. Some Half-Kobolds may set out for adventure to see the world, enjoy the experience of life, and to learn of the world around them. Some set out to do great good to all they meet, to gain friends and fame. Of course, others are less altruistic, and just settle for shiny pieces of gold.

Racial Traits

• +2 Dexterity, +2 Intelligence, -2 Con, -2 Str: Half-Kobolds are bright little creatures, agile and fast, but they have light builds and generally are skittish and not too strong a people.

• Type: Humanoid (Reptilian)

• Medium Size. Half-Kobolds have no special bonuses or penalties due to their size.

• Half-Kobolds cannot take the Powerful Build feat, due to their, well, builds.

• A Half-Kobold's base land speed is 40 feet.

• Darkvision: Half-Kobolds can see up in the dark up to 60 feet, courtesy to their Kobold heritage. Darkvision is black and white only, but it is otherwise like normal sight, and Half-Kobolds can function just fine with no light at all.

• +2 racial bonus to Balance; Half-Kobolds's rigid tail makes for excellent balance while running or when performing acrobatics.

• +2 to Spot, Listen and Search checks; They have keen senses and are inquisitive, giving them better eyes and ears for details.

• +1 bonus to Reflex saves: Half-Kobolds are agile and quick to react, giving them a knack to evade some dangers better than others.

• Automatic Languages: Common, Draconic (as a Kobold) (may be optional at the player's discretion). Bonus Languages: Any (other than secret languages, as Druidic). Because of their heritage, they tend to speak both the language of men and 'bold, and can pick up any language, given time and interest.

• Favoured Class: Any. Half-Kobolds inherited man's explorative, flexible and adaptive nature, allowing them to follow the path of pretty much any profession. Despite their human blood, Half-Kobolds tend to pursue work involving their wits and wiles rather than any other strengths they may possess - a Kobold's trait, most certainly.

Table: Half Kobold Random Starting Ages

Adulthood	Simple	Moderate	Complex
13 years	+1d4	+2d6	+4d6

Table: Half Kobold Aging Effects

Middle Age1	Old2	Venerable3	Maximum Age
125 years	200 years	275 years	+3d20 years
At middle age, −1 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. At old age, −2 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. At venerable age, −3 to Str, Dex, and Con; +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha.

Table: Half Kobold Random Height and Weight

Gender	Base Height	Height Modifier	Base Weight	Weight Modifier
Male	3’ 9”	+2d10	65 lb.	× (2d4) lb.
Female	3’ 7”	+2d10	60 lb.	× (2d4) lb.

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