Vakkler Relkav once lived in the safe caverns of the Underdark.
Er, not safe. "Familiar" would be a better term for it.
Despite the many dangers, Vakkler liked his home. He liked it less when Agartha's blinding sun came to shine on it. The kobold land had been sold to the 'surface dwellers'. Generously, the kobolds were allowed to remain if they wished. Foolishly, the young kobold craftsman agreed.
Ever since this unfortunate decision, Mr. Relkav has been unable to get a decent job. Not many wish to hire a kobold--not just out of old prejudices. Kobolds aren't very strong. They often refuse to work with gnomes or dwarves. And they're just extremely sarcastic.
Finally, Vakkler caught a break. Or so he thought. An elf, a very hungry female monk and a human mage (worse, a seer)approached him one day and offered him a job. They were founding a school for 'abnormally talented children'. Teaching about military history? Vakkler fancies himself a smart individual, and he does like explaining his somewhat biased view of the past. He accepted.
He doesn't quite know why he was selected, but he's been given lodgings, a decent paycheck...
There's only one problem.
The children are mages. Mages, bizarre abominations....'abnormal' is right. Vakkler is much more frightened of the brats than he lets on.
In truth--though Vakkler will hold at crossbowpoint any who suggest it--almost all magic near terrifies the kobold. He's good at hiding it, but he's certain that this school will be the death of him yet.