Get to know the Kobold in detail. Discover what these creatures are and be surprised with all their legends. Mythical beings from multiple cultures.
what are the Kobolds?
Kobold a kind of goblin that inhabits the forests and mines, according to mythology there are many magical stories surrounding these creatures. It had been a wonderful idea, to invoke these mythological beings. Make an offering to the Kobold; carve a talisman for the house, and with enough patience there will be a kobold permanently bound to facilitate the chores.
That was twenty years ago, and now it was very different from what anyone in the house imagined it would be. Instead of helping with the work, the angry kobold added to the load. He was breaking dishes, destroying vegetables and making life miserable. All because we moved the carving dedicated to her. All these years making fine, tiny clothes as gifts, and this simple thing turned a helper into a terror.
Nothing would get rid of the kobold. It seemed stubborn in its determination to make life horrible for generations to come, no matter how we tried to remove it. Maybe we’d have better luck with an exorcism.
Origin of the Kobold
Kobolds originated as small spirit helpers in Teutonic Germany, where they can be found in carvings dating back to the 13th century. They are spirits, or from the fairy realm, and are most commonly found in forests or mines. Although they are helpers, once they are attached to a human being or a particular place, they refuse to leave the place. If angered, then help becomes a hindrance, and the kobold becomes an annoying prankster bent on making life miserable for those it once helped.
Kobold History
There are three types of kobolds, all of which are considered beneficial helpers unless provoked. The first are household helpers, coaxed from the forests they inhabited by means of tree offerings and carvings on houses that desired their presence. The latter are associated with mines and other subway domains. Finally there are the Klabautermann, associated with ships and navigation.
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All three are shapeshifters, capable of taking any form, though they fall short in stature when transformed into humans. They are also capable of invisibility, so they often attach themselves to a human without their knowledge. The unfortunate result of this is that the human may offend the kobold unaware of their presence, and then suffer the consequences.
Wood You are my helper
Wood kobolds were often sought after as household helpers, and are one of the origins of the house spirit. They can be coaxed from their trees with offerings of honey or water. While it may instantly grow to the petitioner’s liking, it is more likely to take several attempts to convince them to move away from their tree.
To facilitate the transaction, a portion of the tree can be taken, taking care not to disturb the resident elf, and brought to the house where the petitioner wants the kobold to live. The petitioner will know that his offerings have been answered when the branches fall at his feet. He will then follow them home and live in that house forever, assisting in any way he can.
are you mine?
Subway kobolds are similar to wood kobolds, but instead of living solitary lives, they live in communities or realms. This is where the ability to become invisible is really useful, because they can disappear if someone ventures into their domain that they don’t want to associate with, they just disappear.
Unlike wood kobolds, if a mine kobold likes a human traveling to their domain, they will follow them home, often remaining invisible for the journey. They will then settle into the house and help with chores and in other ways, sometimes using their magic in beneficial ways. In the mines, they are known to lead miners to good veins by knocking on the door. The more knocks, the better the vein that shows up.
Mine kobolds can range from being beneficial to being harmful. They are blamed for causing mining accidents, replacing good ore with worthless (or even poisonous) ore, and causing all sorts of trouble for miners they see as raiders and thieves.
Koboldly Onto on the High Seas
Klabautermann resides on ships, assisting in their maintenance. This is especially useful in times of stress, as they will hammer leaks until the crew can properly repair them. They are also known for arranging cargo in the most efficient manner and generally assisting the crew in navigation.
Python, one of the most famous Greek Mythological CreaturesThese kobolds are probably related to the wood-dwelling kobolds, as they are believed to come through the wood used to build the ship. If all three types, they are best left unseen, for to see one is a harbinger of imminent death, either of the crewman who sees the kobold or of the sinking of the entire ship.
Wouldn’t you like it when I’m angry
For the most part, kobolds seem to like helping humans, as long as that help is appreciated. However, if they are offended, ignored, or asked to leave, their mood turns from friendly to disgusted.
Kobolds should receive regular offerings to show that their help is appreciated. When they don’t, they get angry. Asking a kobold to leave creates a similar offense, because it also indicates that their help is not appreciated. When a kobold is angry or offended, all the help they provided is reversed.
An example would be that if they used to turn milk into butter overnight, they would now make the milk sour for no reason. They may tear thatch off a roof at night, causing the need for repairs. On ships they may tangle ropes or sails, or distract the crew with laughter and booing.
In the mines, the benefics will take on the traits of the evil ones described above, though not as vicious or deadly. Even an angry kobold is not considered dangerous. They will cause all sorts of harm, but generally will not cause direct harm to humans.
Current Influence
Kobolds remain important in German folklore as house spirits, guardians of the homes they inhabit. They can be most easily coaxed into your home on Midsummer’s Eve, and unlike most other house spirits, they appreciate gifts. Clothing is a favorite, and is sure to keep a kobold from feeling neglected or underappreciated.
