Lowhut

Halflings with low-light vision. They are derived from rootstock humans after being shrunk down and toughened by living too close to elves, gnomes, and centaurs. They live in low, sturdy huts or hill dugouts for protection, and historically hate to be outside except at dawn and dusk. They are real homebodies, but can be got to adventure if it sounds reasonably safe. Most work as little as possible, spend a lot of time socializing, and generally only get stuff done by accident.

Adventuring

Lowhut adventurers are usually unusual by definition, as their kin would discourage leaving the family if they could. Therefor, many who leave home either feel rejected or have nobody at home to keep them. Lowhuts aren't great in hand-to-hand combat owing to their smallness, but they are tough in body and mind, and deceit comes naturally to them. They like long walks, hot meals, and a strong roof overhead if it can be had. Rely on the lowhut to find something good to eat even in the middle of nowhere, and to be the first one to spot danger up ahead.

History

Lowhuts arose in the Eastern continent, and seem to have shipped over the World Sea crazy early, probably at least three thousand years before The Fell. Their ancestral home in the north of the East has long been a strong place for centaurs and gnomes, as well as elves, and so would have been a very hostile place for the early rootstock humans native there. It is the constant threat during daytime hours which likely provided the selection pressure which made the 'huts grow small and resilient. These traits suited their later shipgoing, as lowhut colonies remain on isolated islands which have been living there for millennia by virtue of their low food consumption and high tolerance for hardship. Their progeny who won through to the western continent spread quickly, falling into ranks with the criminoids of those lands in peaceful fellowship by 1000 A.C. It is interesting to note that all island cultures have written language, and that early evidence for writing on the Western continent postdates the likely advent of lowhuts by a few hundred years at least. This means that 'huts are likely the original inventors of writing.

Culture

Lowhuts always tend toward the easiest course, and love to spend all afternoon inside or in the front garden doing as little as possible. Cooking and socializing are almost sacred activities in their low huts. Storytelling is also a treasured pass-time, with history and genealogy being a favorite variant of the art. Lowhuts avoid labor, but always knuckle down once it's really necessary. They also consider some forms of work so enjoyable that they'll take on average or better hours willingly: history, cooking, anything involving long walks in the morning and evening, and all forms of brewing.

Stereotypes

Lowhuts are regarded as lazy and indolent by some folks, but not their close allies, the tallboys. Goblins especially despise this tendency in them. Folks think their fatness belies weakness and that their caution indicates cowardice. There is also a strange but persistent rumor among ettercaps that 'huts eat young 'caps. That fear actually sticks around quite long in some 'caps' minds.

Lowhut Racial Traits

Lowhuts are allotted the following racial ability adjustments and perks:

• Small size
• -2 Str, +2 Dex ability adjustments
• +2 Racial bonus to Perception, Bluff, Stealth, and Survival, and on Fortitude saves.
• +4 Racial bonus to passive Perception checks made to detect threats. Note that this doesn't stack with other Racial bonuses.
• +2 Morale bonus to any check which leads more or less directly to getting food. Abuse this one.
• -1 on all saving throws against fear. Sorry, but this is what happens to your instincts when you live under constant mortal threat. Unless you're completely insane a goblin.
• Low-Light Vision
• 35 foot movement speed

Sample Lowhut by Oogalook

Physical Characteristics

Average Height

3'6"

Average Weight

45 lbs

Skin Colors

Beige to tan

Eye Colors

Brown or dark blue

Average Lifespan

95 years

Preferred Classes

Rogue has synergies with the lowhut's dexterity and stealth, and their natural urge to be in a house. Even if it's somebody else's.
Fighter lowhuts follow a tradition of archers and shield-bearers stretching back hundreds of years. They're not strong, but they figure somebody has to fight and it might as well be somebody who can also fit through the front door.
Cleric makes sense with the lowhuts' reverence and conservative attitude. They like to look for certainty, and listening for hints from the Gods is an old strength of their subrace.

Naming Traditions

Names are similar to those of tallboys, supplemented with traditional Lowhut words: Welligan Wheatwhack, Sylvester Silversmith, Ferdo Fireputout.

Diverged ethnicities

• Locathah