Col_Pladoh? Original Kobolds, canine or lizard-like?

[SpikeyFreak]

I loved the cute little puppy-kobolds in the 1E MM, but I like the winged, fire breathing scaley ones I made with inspiration from the 3E MM even better.

--Scaley Spikey

 

[Chimera]

Dog like, reptilian, a little of this, a little of that. Why do they have to have such a strict and limited classification?

When I think of Kobolds, what I tend to think of is the kind of thing you'd get if you put a lizard, a Kangaroo or Kangaroo rat, and a chihuahua in the genetic blender. Rapid Breeding and rapid growing pack animals who lay eggs. (Because a hidden clutch of eggs can survive the wipe-out that follows any conflict.)

I guess that's the next question: If they're reptillian, do they lay eggs? Or do your Kobolds bear live young? Heck, maybe they're marsupials!

 

[Col_Pladoh]

Kobolds of green complexion are woods-dwelling, those of rust hue live in the hills, and blue-skinned ones favor mines and caves. No matter, eh?

While the color of kobolds skin changed rather perforce, they were meant to me mammalian humanoids in the general class of goblins, orcs, hobgoblins, etc.

While a kobold-goblin hybrid isn't of much interest, how about a kobold-halfling sort? Might be fun... The DM is free to ignore the MM in regards to kobolds being reptillian, of course. Besides, there were warm-blooded reptiles, the therapsids, way back when.

Ciao,
Gary

 

[Storm Raven]

Dog like, reptilian, a little of this, a little of that. Why do they have to have such a strict and limited classification?

In my view, the best answer is what fits the campaign setting best. If it works best to have kobolds be rust colored mammalian dog-men, then that is what they should be. If it works best to have kobolds be blue reptile-men, then that is what they should be. Why does it matter what WotC say, or TSR said, or Gary says, or anything else? If it fits the campaign, it is right.

For example, in my setting, kobolds are reptilian, because I decided that they are the annointed servants of the Serpent-Demon. Their favored class was changed to cleric (but they can only be clerics of the Serpent-Demon), and they have greenish scales and look like diminutive lizardfolk. They are usually found with groups of lizardfolk that they have corrupted.

In another setting I know of, the DM decided that kobolds are blue (although still reptilian). The evidence seems to be that kobolds are an offshoot of dwarves caused by the evil influence of some sort of powerful and as yet unexplained magic.

Different takes, same "species", both fit the settings they are tied to. Therefore, both are "correct".