>>95926702
I feel like, historically, kobolds flocked towards The Strongest(tm) for protection, which often ended up being dragons. As time went on The Strongest(tm) started to vary, from great wizards to barbarian kings to local lords, they started adapting to new environments that weren't hot dry caves, and several descendants of the new age kobold became more educated and started thinking they themselves were The Strongest(tm), which explains independent 'bolds as well as ones who serve with unshakable loyalty to The Strongest(tm).