Kobold (monster class)
- For the monster, see kobold.
The kobold is a monster class that appears in NetHack, and is represented by a lowercase k glyph (k). Kobolds are designated internally by the macro S_KOBOLD.[1]
The monster class contains the following monsters:[2]
- k kobold
- k large kobold
- k kobold lord
- k kobold shaman
Contents
Common traits
Kobolds are small, chaotic omnivorous humanoids. They possess infravision and can be seen via infravision. Kobolds have poison resistance, and their corpses are all poisonous to eat.
Kobolds will pick up whatever items they come across, equipping appropriate weapons and non-body armor; kobold shamans will instead focus on magical items.
If chatted to, a kobold will simply grunt.
Generation
Randomly-generated kobolds are always hostile. Various kobolds can be generated in early throne rooms.
A kobold has a 1⁄4 chance of generating with a stack of darts.[3]
History
The kobold first appears in Hack 1.21, a variant of Jay Fenlason's Hack, and also appears in Hack for PDP-11; it is included in the initial bestiary for Hack 1.0. The other kobolds first appear in NetHack 3.0.0.
Origin
In German mythology, kobolds are generally benevolent nix, though they will act out or even attack if they are ignored or angered by humans.
Variants
SLASH'EM
SLASH'EM introduces several new kobolds:
UnNetHack
In UnNetHack, kobolds will attack any elves they see (and vice versa) as part of Nephi's grudge patch.
Encyclopedia entry
The race of kobolds are reputed to be an artificial creation
of a master wizard (demi-god?). They are about 3' tall with
a vaguely dog-like face. They bear a violent dislike of the
Elven race, and will go out of their way to cause trouble
for Elves at any time.
