A quick one inbetween waiting for replies on commission-related notes.

I always do this. Between  Ourhero's ketza, D&D kobolds or  Valsalia's yinglets -- any of these meekest, smallest races and mold them into confident warriors.

Because they have nothing left to lose, and stand to gain everything. Because it takes extraordinary effort for them to overcome their physical limitations, even more than bogstandard humans do in fantasy settings. Because they have to fight their usual racial tendencies and natures to stand and fight even when they are easily battered and bruised. Because they start on the back foot from the get go, and have to endure the greatest trials. Because they are the most mortal of mortals.

I don't root for the underdog because they're the underdog, I root for them because of the hardship they have to endure.