In regards to my last post . . .
May. 12th, 2008 11:27 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
stevenehrbarSomebody was lamenting that kobolds had been turned into lizard creatures for D&D 3rd Edition. I pointed out that they'd been lizard-things ever since the first AD&D Monster Manual.
In case this ever comes up again, I've decided to mark the data here:
1). Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual, 1977, p.57.
"If 200 or more kobolds are encountered in their lair there will be the following additional creatures there: 5-20 guards (as bodyguards above), females equal to 50% of the total number, young equal to 10% of the total number, and 30-300 eggs."
"The hide of kobolds runs from very dark rusty brown to a rusty black. They have no hair."
(Also see the kobold artwork on pp. 57 & 58, which clearly shows scales.)
2). Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set, 1981 (Moldvay), p.B37
"They have scaly rust-brown skin and no hair."
3). Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set, 1983 (Mentzer), Dungeon Masters Rulebook, p.32
"They have scaly, rust-brown skin and no hair."
4). Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Monstrous Compendium Volume 1, Kobold page
"Barely clearing three feet in height, kobolds have scaly hides that range from very dark rusty brown to a rusty black."
"In a lair there will be 5-20 (5d4) bodyguards, females equal to 50% of the males, young equal to 10% of the males and 30-300 (3d10x10) eggs."
5). Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia, p.187
"They have scaly, rust-brown skin no hair."
6). Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Monstrous Manual, p.214
"Barely clearing three feet in height, kobolds have scaly hides that range from very dark rusty brown to a rusty black."
"In a lair there will be 5-20 (5d4) bodyguards, females equal to 50% of the males, young equal to 10% of the males and 30-300 (3d10x10) eggs."
Prior to the Monster Manual, the kobold entry in the original boxed set made no mention of the appearance of kobolds or whether or not they were reptilian; the 1977 D&D Basic Set (Holmes) entry for kobolds is similarly silent.
It is accordingly apparent that kobolds were hairless, scaly, and egg-laying starting in 1977, and remained so for the rest of D&D.
In case this ever comes up again, I've decided to mark the data here:
1). Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual, 1977, p.57.
"If 200 or more kobolds are encountered in their lair there will be the following additional creatures there: 5-20 guards (as bodyguards above), females equal to 50% of the total number, young equal to 10% of the total number, and 30-300 eggs."
"The hide of kobolds runs from very dark rusty brown to a rusty black. They have no hair."
(Also see the kobold artwork on pp. 57 & 58, which clearly shows scales.)
2). Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set, 1981 (Moldvay), p.B37
"They have scaly rust-brown skin and no hair."
3). Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set, 1983 (Mentzer), Dungeon Masters Rulebook, p.32
"They have scaly, rust-brown skin and no hair."
4). Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Monstrous Compendium Volume 1, Kobold page
"Barely clearing three feet in height, kobolds have scaly hides that range from very dark rusty brown to a rusty black."
"In a lair there will be 5-20 (5d4) bodyguards, females equal to 50% of the males, young equal to 10% of the males and 30-300 (3d10x10) eggs."
5). Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia, p.187
"They have scaly, rust-brown skin no hair."
6). Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Monstrous Manual, p.214
"Barely clearing three feet in height, kobolds have scaly hides that range from very dark rusty brown to a rusty black."
"In a lair there will be 5-20 (5d4) bodyguards, females equal to 50% of the males, young equal to 10% of the males and 30-300 (3d10x10) eggs."
Prior to the Monster Manual, the kobold entry in the original boxed set made no mention of the appearance of kobolds or whether or not they were reptilian; the 1977 D&D Basic Set (Holmes) entry for kobolds is similarly silent.
It is accordingly apparent that kobolds were hairless, scaly, and egg-laying starting in 1977, and remained so for the rest of D&D.
