Cobolds.

Plumbing the depths of what seems to be an abandoned dungeon in search of treasure, you turn

a corner and come face to face with a small, reptilian, humanoid.

You laugh at what appears to be such a weak foe and draw your blade.

The creature turns and runs down the corridor, and you give chase, soon

tripping over something in the dark. You grumbled to yourself as you begin to get to your feet,

when suddenly a large pile of rocks tumbles from above, trapping you. You watch feebly

as the small creature steps towards you, followed by 20 of his friends.

These are cobalds, creatures that individually in a fair fight are no match for even the most novice of adventurers.

Where they excel, however, and where they've gotten a fierce reputation is in their numbers, their tactics, and

their capabilities in setting traps. Compared to some species, they don't possess an

excessive amount of lore, and are often just thrown at level one parties as fodder,

but hopefully this video will give you a new appreciation for cobalds.

Cobolds were first introduced in the original D&D set from 1974, partially inspired by

Cobold Sprites of Germanic mythology. They weren't given much love originally, though,

lumped in as similar to goblins but weaker.

They were expanded slightly in first edition AD&D, still similar to goblins with a hatred for sunlight and most other life forms.

Cobolds would still not be in their typical reptilian form for second edition AD&D, where they are described

as cowardly and sadistic, with a particular hatred for gnomes. Their capacity for trickery is

mentioned, though, with a penchant for trapping foes and throwing weapons, or pouring flaming

oil on them.

Third edition is when cobalds would become the more recognizable form.

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