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de:Kobold fr:Kobold ja:コボルト
Kobolds are ugly spirits that originate from 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, known as Heinzelmännchen, are described as helpful or mischievous household elves. They sometimes perform domestic chores, but can also play tricks on the human inhabitants. This type of kobold is said to be related to Robin Goodfellow and brownies. Another type of kobold that can be found in mines and other underground places seems to be more closely related to the gnome.
Kobolds are also found in fantasy fiction. In Dungeons & Dragons and the settings it inspired, many authors present them as aggressive humanoid creatures that are smaller than a person. They are evil creatures that dwell together with their own kind rather than in human homes. Such kobolds have an ugly presence reminiscent of a bipedal rat or dog.
The name of the element cobalt comes from kobold, the metal being so called by miners, because it was poisonous and troublesome (it polluted and degraded the other mined elements, like nickel).
Another version of this is that the kobolds are named after the element, as they were said to steal silver cutlery and replace it with the much less valuable cobalt.
See also: Sprite (fantasy)
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