GURPS Kobolds

[bert]

Originally Posted by David Johansen

I think some people found their representation offensive or in bad taste, much like Gully Dwarves, Kender, and the GURPS Ghouls.

So, I'll present an alternate Kobold.

Kobolds (80 Points)
This race of tiny miners is distantly related to Goblins. They eat rocks and minerals and often resent human intruders stealing their food supplies. Dwarves and kobolds have an uneasy relationship but can respect each other's handiwork and taciturn demeanor. This particular interpretation draws on the Underfolk from The Silver Chair and Sonny from A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket.

Attributes:
ST 6 [-40];
DX 12 [40];
IQ 10 [0];
HT 12 [20];

Feature:
Alternate Digestion (eats minerals not organisms, magical not natural chemosynthesis)

Advantages:
Very Strong Teeth (thrust-1 (2)) [3];
Temperature Tolerance 10 (+10 x HT) [10];
Tunnelling 1 [35]
Dark Vision [25]
DR 1 (Tough Skin) [3];
Magical Aptitude 0 [5];

Disadvantages:
Callous [-5];
Trickster [-15];

Skills:
Geology IQ -2 [1];
Metallurgy IQ-2 [1];

Thanks David! Should we add SM -1?

[Bruno]

Originally Posted by David Johnston2

Aren't those guys cribbed from Narnia?

They're an irritated SJs reaction to the kinds of nerds that start all conversations with "Well actually..."

[David Johansen]

Thanks, yeah, Size Mod -1 or -2. I'm coming up with 73 points when I add it up now. I think the tunnelling should probably require a pick axe or shovel. It'd get their cost down by 7 points or so. I suppose it might be tunnelling 1 with their teeth and tunnelling 2 with a tool. Incidentally their temperature tolerance should probably be 45 and up rather than allowing the lower human temperature range. They're comfortable close to lava.

[David Johansen]

Though there's always the Kobolds from Landover, in Magic Kingdom For Sale: Sold by Terry Brooks, which scare dragons.

Landoverian Kobold 235 points

Attributes:
ST 15 [50];
DX 15 [100];
IQ 9 [-20];
HT 15 [50];

Perception 15 [30];
Willpower 15 [30];

Features:
Size -1

Advantages:
Enhanced Move [20];
Combat Reflexes [15];
Universal Digestion [5]
Long Claws [8]
Very Sharp Teeth (Very Strong Teeth (thrust-1 (2)) [3];
Extra Attacks 2 [50];
Damage Resistance 4 (Tough Skin) [12];


Disadvantages:
Bad Temper [-10];
Berserk [-15];
Bloodlust [-10];
Insatiable Hunger [-15];
Vow (Loyal to the Throne of Landover)[-10];

Skills:
Brawling DX + 5 (20) [16];
Intimidation Will + 4 [16];

[bert]

Oh! That would be a nasty surprise for a delver expecting a D&D power-level kobold!

[Daigoro]

Are these all reptilian kobolds? I can't shake my image of kobolds as being canine, which came from the ol' red box D&D and B2: Keep on the Borderlands.

[Dalillama]

No, both the dogfaced and reptilian kobolds are basically a D&D thing. Mythical kobolds look more like D&D gnomes, ranging to a bit like monkeys, GURPS Fantasy kobolds are blueskinned and short IIRC.

[evileeyore]

Originally Posted by Daigoro

I can't shake my image of kobolds as being canine, which came from the ol' red box D&D and B2: Keep on the Borderlands.

Not really...

In the old Moldvay D&D (Basic 'red' Box)they were "dog-like men" with "scaly rust-brown skin and no hair.".

This has always* been my image of a kobold.



* Until the 'cutebolds' arose in the Dwarf Fortress forums. I have to admit, I'm a cutebold fan.

[Daigoro]

Originally Posted by evileeyore

Not really...

In the old Moldvay D&D (Basic 'red' Box)they were "dog-like men" with "scaly rust-brown skin and no hair."

Canine means dog-like.

[The Colonel]

Originally Posted by Dalillama

No, both the dogfaced and reptilian kobolds are basically a D&D thing. Mythical kobolds look more like D&D gnomes, ranging to a bit like monkeys, GURPS Fantasy kobolds are blueskinned and short IIRC.

Confusingly mythical gnomes were meant to be earth elementals...