History Main / OurKoboldsAreDifferent

In Anglophone media, kobolds remained relatively obscure until they showed up in ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'', which depicted them as partly reptilian and partly canine beings -- eventually shifting to a fully reptilian appearance -- and characterized them as inventive, clever and malicious beings that live underground. From there they spread to Japanese media, primarily through early [=JRPGs=] such as ''VideoGame/{{Wizardry}}'' and its successors, which, due being inspired by earlier editions of ''D&D'', more commonly depicted them as entirely canine creatures. In both cases, due to their origins as mine-spirits, modern fantasy kobolds are almost always depicted as living underground, either in caves or in complex tunnel systems that they dig themselves. They're often prolific miners, and may be depicted as skilled engineers and crafters.

* ''VideoGame/CobaltCore'': "[[SpaceX space]] kobolds" are one of the many different kinds of sapient creatures in Cobalt Core. One of the main characters, Dizzy, is stated to be one by the developers, alongside a few friendly NPC encounter characters. They appear to be the more lizard-like variety overall, and most of them are quite friendly, many of them working on spacecrafts by trade. Dizzy himself is a blue reptilian, a friendly but eccentric and somewhat reckless scientist, who's deck specializes in shields and temporary barriers, and damage mitigation overall.

* ''VideoGame/CobaltCore'': "[[SpaceX space]] kobolds" are one of the many different kinds of sapient creatures in Cobalt Core, one of the main characters, Dizzy, is stated to be one by the developers, alongside a few friendly NPC encounter characters. They appear to be the more lizard-like variety overall, and most of them are quite friendly, many of them working on spacecrafts by trade. Dizzy himself is a blue reptilian, a friendly but eccentric and somewhat reckless scientist, who's deck specializes in shields and temporary barriers, and damage mitigation overall.

* "Literature/FluffyParadise'': The light novel series takes the concept of canine Japanese kobolds and takes it a step further, as they are basically dogs that, when they reach adulthood, can stand on their own two legs and speak human. Furthermore, a kobold tribe is represented by various breeds of dogs, with each breed specializing in a different task.

* "Literature/FluffyParadise: The light novel series takes the concept of canine Japanese kobolds and takes it a step further, as they are basically dogs that, when they reach adulthood, can stand on their own two legs and speak human. Furthermore, a kobold tribe is represented by various breeds of dogs, with each breed specializing in a different task.

* ''Series/KyukyuSentaiGoGoV'': The Psyma Clan member Kobold, besides sharing a name with the mythological creature, is the leader of the Earth Demons.

** In ''TabletopGame/GURPSBanestorm'', kobolds are smallish blue humanoids (related to the setting's goblins) who are not very bright, tend to live downtrodden and sordid lives -- and are vicious practical jokers.

** Ship kobolds, also called klabautermanns, lived on ocean vessels and performed maintenance tasks such as fixing sails and ropes and filling in holes. They shared their terrestrial cousins' tempers, however, and if upset would cause mischief such as by tangling rigging. They were considered best when heard but no seen; a kobold in plain sight was a sign of terrible bad luck.

In Anglophone media, kobolds remained relatively obscure until they showed up in ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'', which depicted them as partly reptilian and partly canine beings -- eventually shifting to a fully reptilian appearance -- and characterized them as inventive, clever and malicious beings that live underground. From there they spread to Japanese media, where they are more commonly depicted as canine creatures. Due to their origins as mine-spirits, modern fantasy kobolds are almost always depicted as living underground, either in caves or in complex tunnel systems they dig themselves. They're often prolific miners, and may be depicted as skilled engineers and crafters.

[[caption-width-right:350:[[Franchise/StarTrek Koboldly go where no kobold has gone before]].[[labelnote:Left to right:]] [[Manga/DeliciousInDungeon Kuro the Kobold]], a ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' Kobold, a ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragonsFifthEdition'' Kobold Inventor, [[Webcomic/MonstersCanBeHeroesToo Coal the Kobold]] and a [[Literature/TheSpiderwickChronicles Knocker]][[/labelnote]]]]

[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Left to right:]] [[Manga/DeliciousInDungeon Kuro the Kobold]], a ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' Kobold, a ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragonsFifthEdition'' Kobold Inventor, [[Webcomic/MonstersCanBeHeroesToo Coal the Kobold]] and a [[Literature/TheSpiderwickChronicles Knocker]][[/labelnote]]]]

[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Left to right:]] [[Manga/DeliciousInDungeon Kuro the Kobold]], a ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' Kobold, a ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragonsFifthEdition'' Kobold Inventor, [[Webcomic/MonstersCanBeHeroesToo Coal the Kobold]] and a [[Literature/TheSpiderwickChronicles Knocker Kobold]][[/labelnote]]]]

[[quoteright:350: [[Franchise/ForgottenRealms https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kobolds_d&d.png]]]]

* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'': Kobolds are a small, subterranean, [[AlwaysChaoticEvil generally evil]] species who are {{Dirty Coward}}s but superlative {{Trap Master}}s, and generally have some connection to dragons. They're usually seen as those wimpy monsters that you fight when you're first level and should be able to curb-stomp by second level. They worship Kurtulmak, the god of war and mining, whom they believe created the first kobolds from an egg discarded from the dragon goddess Tiamat's nest.
** 1[[superscript:st]] edition depicts them as relatives of [[OurGoblinsAreDifferent goblins]] with doglike features; in 2[[superscript:nd]], the doglike traits are dropped in favor of depicting kobolds are short, large-eyed goblins. 3[[superscript:rd]] edition reimagins them as miniature {{Draconic Humanoid}}s who serve and sometimes worship true dragons. This depiction is kept into the 4[[superscript:th]] edition, and although 5[[superscript:th]] edition artwork largely sticks to the previous model it also gives kobolds doglike noses.
** [[https://media.wizards.com/2014/downloads/dnd/TuckersKobolds.pdf Tucker's Kobolds]] (named for their [=DM=], who believed in playing the monsters ''smart'') could do serious damage to 6th-12th level characters while still being 1d4 hit point monsters through clever use of traps and tactics. Later versions of the game interpreted this to mean that all kobolds are naturally gifted at turning their lairs into mazes of traps and pitfalls.

* In ''VideoGame/PotionPermit'', Koblins are wolflike kobolds who reside in the remote areas of Moonbury. They form tribes and worship other monsters as deities, fight intruders with weapons such as swords, clubs, and magic, and drop shards and crystals when defeated.

* OurKoboldsAreDifferent: Koblins are wolflike kobolds who reside in the remote areas of Moonbury. They form tribes and worship other monsters as deities, fight intruders with weapons such as swords, clubs, and magic, and drop shards and crystals when defeated.

* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': Diamond Dogs. They fit the [[CanisMajor canine]] depiction of Kobolts. They live in or near mines and have an obsession with gems. Besides one wild group, they are actually friendly, and eager to make peace with them.

Kobolds originate in Germanic folklore, where they were goblin-like spirits alternatively believed to live in mines, in households or aboard ships. They were a fairly diverse lot, and ranged in personality from helpful household spirits to cruel tricksters. In this meaning, which is still prevalent in German-speaking areas, "kobold" is used as a catch-all term for humanoid fairy beings in European folklore, and in some European languages the term is still used as translation for "goblin", "gnome", "leprechaun", and similar things.

In Anglophone media, kobolds remained relatively obscure until they showed up in ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'', at which point they entered the ranks of uncommon {{Fantasy}} races. From there they spread to Japanese media, where they are more commonly depicted as canine creatures. Due to their origins as mine-spirits, modern fantasy kobolds are almost always depicted as living underground, either in caves or in complex tunnel systems they dig themselves. They're often prolific miners, and may be depicted as skilled engineers and crafters.

* ''WebOriginal/OrionsArm'': Kobolds are a type of humans [[{{Heavyworlder}} adapted for life on high-gravity worlds]]. They're a meter tall and about as wide, with stout limbs, barrel chests and flat noses. They usually live in extensive burrows beneath their worlds' surfaces, and are known for a cultural tendency to be skilled jewelers.
* ''Literature/TalesOfMU'': Kobolds are goblinoids, an order of humanoids that aren't mammalian or reptilian. They resemble goblins, but with red skin instead of green. They live in mines beneath mountains and fight dwarves for territory while trying to protect their wealth from human looters. Their society is rigid and more stratified than the goblins'.

* ''TabletopGame/GURPSBanestorm'': Kobolds are smallish blue humanoids (related to the setting's goblins) who are not very bright, tend to live downtrodden and sordid lives -- and are vicious practical jokers.