Okay, speaking as a furry, there's so many things I could have gone with. In a world of options, why kobolds? They're not fuzzy (at least not the dragon-y kind), they live in the dark, and they've got a reputation for hostility, greed and just plain evilness. Here's my response.
First, with the invention of the phrase "head cannon", all bets are off. The only people who have any right to claim accuracy about what kobolds really should be are the people who first came up with the Germanic myths about them. And they went to the grave long before copyright laws were invented.
Second, there are so many RPGs and novels out there about my favorite dungeon dwellers, many of which have been brave enough to re-invent not just the 'bolds but monsters in general. Now, many of them are more like people than true monsters. There are good and bad kobolds just like there are good and bad human beings.
So now we come to point three and my personal favorite: if kobolds are to be considered a race, then we must not judge individuals by said race. Because that would be racist. But biology, like God Himself, does not play favorites. Kobolds are, as a species, physically weak and thus tend to get picked on. A lot. Probably where their reputation for xenophobia came in. A lot of them are just plain paranoid that somebody bigger than them is going to kill them and take their stuff.
Not actually inaccurate, either. How many kobolds have fantasy RPG characters snuffed over the years? Plenty!
Maybe these ankle biters have a right to be scared.
So much for the negative. Now let's look at the positive. Point 4: Kobolds are the underdogs of any fantasy setting they're a part of. And we love to root for the little guy. Kobolds don't have access to lots of wealth, living at (or beneath) the fringes of society as they do. They have to scavenge because most people don't trust them, considering them vermin.
Point 5? Kobolds are, by necessity, creative and able to improvise with what they have. They breed hard workers and amazing engineers. And nobody is so fierce as when they're defending their homes. A kobold's whole life is dedicated to bettering his clan. He'll willingly throw his life away if he thinks it's for a good cause.
Honestly? Sounds like hero material to me.
Of course, given how things stand in most fantasy settings, you're not likely to see one of these micro-dragonoids in the college debate team. But I see somebody you can at least cheer for on some level. Besides, they're cute!
Haha. Anyway, I know I'm probably preaching to the choir in this post. Most of you reading this are already convinced. Next topic will be a subject near and dear to my heart.
Traps!
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