Kobold

Kobold


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Kobolds are ugly spirits of German folklore. The name comes from the German word kobalt or kobold meaning "evil spirit", and is often translated in English as goblin.
The most common version, Heinzelmännchen, is similar to Robin Goodfellow and brownies: as household elves of ambivalent nature, they sometimes perform domestic chores, but play malicious tricks if not appeased (Hinzelmann is a particular example).
Kobold is often used in German to translate the word 'Leprechaun', a type of Irish fairy goblin.
Another type of kobold, more similar to the gnome, haunts mines and other underground places. The name of the element cobalt comes from kobold, after the poisonous and troublesome nature of the typical arsenical ores of this metal (cobaltite and smaltite) which polluted other mined elements (compare nickel).[edit]


Kobolds in fantasy fiction

• In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and the games and settings that it inspired, kobolds are aggressive, xenophobic, and cowardly small humanoid creatures. Such kobolds have an ugly presence reminiscent of bipedal lizards or small dinosaurs, and are noted for their skill at building traps and preparing ambushes. Kobold communication sounds like the yapping of a small dog. Kobolds are distantly related to Dragons, and are often found serving them as minions.
  

• Conversely, in many computer and video game based RPGs, Kobolds are a race of anthromorphic dogs that primarily dwell in forests and often use swords and bows as weapons. The Suikoden and Lufia series both use this depiction.
  

• The publication of Kobolds Ate My Baby! by 9th Level Games features kobolds as dog-like, yet comical creatures with an insatiable omnivorous appetite. They are extremely stupid, lead by King Torg, and worship the Big Red God of Anger.
  

• Neil Gaiman's novel American Gods returns to the traditional legend, depicting Hinzelmann as a benevolent, yet "closet-vengeful-homicidal" spirit that guards an apparently perfect small Wisconsin town at a price.
  

• In the Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game by Palladium Books, Kobolds are a race of accomplished smiths, who stand about 3-4 feet tall and are given to cruelty. The kobolds look mostly human, though with pointed features and ears.
  

In the Warcraft games, Kobolds are a race of ratlike burrowers, who often appear as villains. However, the games also include goblins and gnomes, and the three races fit the same rough pattern(diminutive race which is skilled in early technology). Kobolds are less developed than gnomes and goblins.[edit]


See also

• Sprite (fantasy)