Halflings
Current Month: Julwar 2nd: 209, The Fifth Age
While Halflings are considered a separate race by modern standards, their ancestors didn't start as such.
When Humans and Dwarves first encountered each other, there was a mutual distrust. However the differences were quickly forgotten once both sides began to see trade as a viable alternative to conflict; neither side wished to conquer the others homelands, the Dwarves preferring the mountains and the Humans preferring the forests and plains.
Eventually over time due to intermingling, half-Dwarves began to emerge that had the characteristics of both Dwarves and Humans. Over time these Halflings were the subject of mistrust and racial prejudice, and were ostracized from society.
These individuals choose to sail to a new land where they could be free from prejudice, finding an isolated peninsula on the distant side of the continent Middos, now known as Midway. This land would eventually be called The Moors, and the Halflings thrived there in numerous small towns and villages.
Never really settling for a large government, the Halfings lived in isolated peace and prosperity, farming and fishing and enjoying the small things in life.
After a few hundred years, the peoples of Tremalking and western Middos began seeing modern Halflings from the Moors exploring and trading with their societies, having become a separate species with distance. Nowadays Halflings can be found all across the world.
Halflings were small in comparison with the members of most other races, standing somewhere from 2′8″‒3′4″ (81‒100 cm) tall and weighing on average between 30‒35 lb (14‒16 kg).[8] In many ways, Halflings resembled small Humans and usually had the same proportions as the typical human adult. Most Halflings had dark hair and eyes, regardless of their skin complexion which, although commonly ruddy in hue had a similar range to Humans.
Nearly all male Halflings were incapable of growing true beards, unlike their Dwarven and Human ancestors, though many had long sideburns. Halfling hairstyles were often complex, with strands woven together or braided.
Although Halflings had an affinity for collecting valuables, they did not prefer to wear these on their person, instead preferring more comfortable clothing.
Halflings are quick and dexterous Humanoids, even given their size, with quick reflexes and an ability to recover easily from sudden danger.
Halflings, who by and large have a strong force of personality, are also intensely courageous and are more likely to retain their valor than most other humanoids, even when under the effects of a spell or other power. Beyond this, Halflings have what could be best described as a lucky streak, which makes it less likely for them to be injured in perilous circumstances.
Additionally, the small size of Halflings has an effect on their abilities. Halflings are, for instance, incapable of wielding larger weapons like greatswords or halberds.
It is sometimes said that Halflings are weaker. As towards other humanoids, and as a trend, Halflings tend to be weaker. However, this was not a universal truth of the race. Similarly, although many have an excellent sense of hearing, not all do.
Halflings are by nature joyful and friendly in their dealings with others.
Because they live in a world where they were surrounded by larger creatures, Halflings tend to avoid notice, often deliberately, or at the very least, act cordial towards the larger races. Halflings appear deceptively harmless, meaning they are often beyond the notice of enemies that might otherwise pose a threat to them.
The Halfling mind is practical and Halflings concern themselves with their immediate surroundings. They take pleasure in simple things, with few aspiring to greatness in the same manner as Humans. Some Halflings do become adventurers, but usually this is a practice taken up for reasons of necessity rather than personal drive.
Because of their love for home and family, Halflings make loyal and courageous allies, willing to put their own lives at risk for the sake of others.
While many Halflings do not have the ambition for adventure that some races do, most prefer trouble to boredom; the race was notoriously curious. Halflings are courageous, more so than many races, and their daring is often difficult to match.
Many Halflings also have a strong appetite for food and drink, as well as narcotics and clothing. Similarly, many Halflings were enthusiastic collectors, and loved to hold on to possessions won through skill and daring.
Halfling communities are tightly knit groups found around the world, usually near the settlements of other races. Most Halflings don't recognize the claims of kings or nobles as sovereign rulers but instead look primarily to their family elders to guide them.
This focus on bloodlines has enabled Halfling traditions to continue for millennia relatively intact. Halflings also value a sense of community; Halflings naming each other "Halfling" was a salute of brotherhood.
Halfling culture had a fondness for stories and legends and was rich in the oral tradition. So much care was put into the retelling of traditional stories and their preservation that Halflings often unwittingly had access to lore about ancient and long-gone cultures or empires that others had long since forgotten about. Many Halflings are able to recall some detail of the ancient past, though it was usually wrapped in the shrouds of legends.
Halflings call the longer times of a day by how far the sun traveled in the sky, and shorter moments, like up to three minutes, "A long tune", and around ten minutes, "3 long songs".
Halfling children are known to fish for bats using a light, durable twine string, and bait of live moths.
It is said that "Cheese, bread, ale and more cheese are what fill a happy Halfling's stomach." and that could be evidenced by their own agricultural choices.
Sometimes Halflings make food goods for humans, among these are sausages, cheeses, stews, and baked goods. Halflings themselves like those foods as well, but made them chewier and more rubbery for their tastes, with no strong spices, but instead using melding herbs.
When Halflings are left to their own devices, they produce flavored cheeses, sour grape wines, "blue eyes" (blue grapes), sour table grapes, and goat and sheep meats along with their milk.
In winter, the Halflings have two stews ready all day; one lighter broth, and the other filled with more sustenance.
Halflings, in general, tried their best to get along with everybody, though exceptions did exist and Ghostwise Halflings are notoriously xenophobic. Lightfoot and Strongheart Halflings, however, are friendly and outgoing and are uncommonly adept at fitting into communities of Humans, Dwarves, Elves, or Gnomes.
Most Halflings, in fact, don't live in communities of their own, at least outside of the Moors. Instead, they live in regions dominated by other races. This is particularly true in human societies, which attract Halflings because of the comparative rapidity with which they change.
It should be noted that Halflings usually find insults directed at them to be amusing rather than insulting.
History
When Humans and Dwarves first encountered each other, there was a mutual distrust. However the differences were quickly forgotten once both sides began to see trade as a viable alternative to conflict; neither side wished to conquer the others homelands, the Dwarves preferring the mountains and the Humans preferring the forests and plains.
Eventually over time due to intermingling, half-Dwarves began to emerge that had the characteristics of both Dwarves and Humans. Over time these Halflings were the subject of mistrust and racial prejudice, and were ostracized from society.
These individuals choose to sail to a new land where they could be free from prejudice, finding an isolated peninsula on the distant side of the continent Middos, now known as Midway. This land would eventually be called The Moors, and the Halflings thrived there in numerous small towns and villages.
Never really settling for a large government, the Halfings lived in isolated peace and prosperity, farming and fishing and enjoying the small things in life.
After a few hundred years, the peoples of Tremalking and western Middos began seeing modern Halflings from the Moors exploring and trading with their societies, having become a separate species with distance. Nowadays Halflings can be found all across the world.
Description
Halflings were small in comparison with the members of most other races, standing somewhere from 2′8″‒3′4″ (81‒100 cm) tall and weighing on average between 30‒35 lb (14‒16 kg).[8] In many ways, Halflings resembled small Humans and usually had the same proportions as the typical human adult. Most Halflings had dark hair and eyes, regardless of their skin complexion which, although commonly ruddy in hue had a similar range to Humans.
Nearly all male Halflings were incapable of growing true beards, unlike their Dwarven and Human ancestors, though many had long sideburns. Halfling hairstyles were often complex, with strands woven together or braided.
Although Halflings had an affinity for collecting valuables, they did not prefer to wear these on their person, instead preferring more comfortable clothing.
Combat
Halflings are quick and dexterous Humanoids, even given their size, with quick reflexes and an ability to recover easily from sudden danger.
Halflings, who by and large have a strong force of personality, are also intensely courageous and are more likely to retain their valor than most other humanoids, even when under the effects of a spell or other power. Beyond this, Halflings have what could be best described as a lucky streak, which makes it less likely for them to be injured in perilous circumstances.
Additionally, the small size of Halflings has an effect on their abilities. Halflings are, for instance, incapable of wielding larger weapons like greatswords or halberds.
It is sometimes said that Halflings are weaker. As towards other humanoids, and as a trend, Halflings tend to be weaker. However, this was not a universal truth of the race. Similarly, although many have an excellent sense of hearing, not all do.
Personality
Halflings are by nature joyful and friendly in their dealings with others.
Because they live in a world where they were surrounded by larger creatures, Halflings tend to avoid notice, often deliberately, or at the very least, act cordial towards the larger races. Halflings appear deceptively harmless, meaning they are often beyond the notice of enemies that might otherwise pose a threat to them.
The Halfling mind is practical and Halflings concern themselves with their immediate surroundings. They take pleasure in simple things, with few aspiring to greatness in the same manner as Humans. Some Halflings do become adventurers, but usually this is a practice taken up for reasons of necessity rather than personal drive.
Because of their love for home and family, Halflings make loyal and courageous allies, willing to put their own lives at risk for the sake of others.
While many Halflings do not have the ambition for adventure that some races do, most prefer trouble to boredom; the race was notoriously curious. Halflings are courageous, more so than many races, and their daring is often difficult to match.
Many Halflings also have a strong appetite for food and drink, as well as narcotics and clothing. Similarly, many Halflings were enthusiastic collectors, and loved to hold on to possessions won through skill and daring.
Culture
Halfling communities are tightly knit groups found around the world, usually near the settlements of other races. Most Halflings don't recognize the claims of kings or nobles as sovereign rulers but instead look primarily to their family elders to guide them.
This focus on bloodlines has enabled Halfling traditions to continue for millennia relatively intact. Halflings also value a sense of community; Halflings naming each other "Halfling" was a salute of brotherhood.
Halfling culture had a fondness for stories and legends and was rich in the oral tradition. So much care was put into the retelling of traditional stories and their preservation that Halflings often unwittingly had access to lore about ancient and long-gone cultures or empires that others had long since forgotten about. Many Halflings are able to recall some detail of the ancient past, though it was usually wrapped in the shrouds of legends.
Halflings call the longer times of a day by how far the sun traveled in the sky, and shorter moments, like up to three minutes, "A long tune", and around ten minutes, "3 long songs".
Halfling children are known to fish for bats using a light, durable twine string, and bait of live moths.
Cuisine
It is said that "Cheese, bread, ale and more cheese are what fill a happy Halfling's stomach." and that could be evidenced by their own agricultural choices.
Sometimes Halflings make food goods for humans, among these are sausages, cheeses, stews, and baked goods. Halflings themselves like those foods as well, but made them chewier and more rubbery for their tastes, with no strong spices, but instead using melding herbs.
When Halflings are left to their own devices, they produce flavored cheeses, sour grape wines, "blue eyes" (blue grapes), sour table grapes, and goat and sheep meats along with their milk.
In winter, the Halflings have two stews ready all day; one lighter broth, and the other filled with more sustenance.
Relations With Other Races
Halflings, in general, tried their best to get along with everybody, though exceptions did exist and Ghostwise Halflings are notoriously xenophobic. Lightfoot and Strongheart Halflings, however, are friendly and outgoing and are uncommonly adept at fitting into communities of Humans, Dwarves, Elves, or Gnomes.
Most Halflings, in fact, don't live in communities of their own, at least outside of the Moors. Instead, they live in regions dominated by other races. This is particularly true in human societies, which attract Halflings because of the comparative rapidity with which they change.
It should be noted that Halflings usually find insults directed at them to be amusing rather than insulting.
Genetic Descendants
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