Halfling

Optimistic and cheerful, blessed with uncanny luck, and driven by powerful wanderlust, halflings make up for their short stature with an abundance of bravado and curiosity. At once excitable and easygoing, they are the best kind of opportunists, and their passions favor joy over violence. Even in the jaws of danger, halflings rarely lose their sense of humor. Many taller people dismiss halflings due to their size or, worse, treat them like children. Halflings use these prejudices and misconceptions to their advantage, gaining access to opportunities and performing deeds of daring mischief or heroism. A halfling’s curiosity is tempered by wisdom and caution, leading to calculated risks and narrow escapes. While their wanderlust and curiosity sometimes drive them toward adventure, halflings also carry strong ties to house and home, often spending above their means to achieve comfort in their homelife.
On Chaia, the only culture that is primarily halfling is that of the Dail people in Oneria. Halfings through the rest of Chaia generally adopt the culture of whatever other people are around them, though many facets of Dail culture are practiced in part by halflings outside of Oneria.
Halfings are present in pockets in most nations throughout Chaia. There are very few of them in Dehremben, and those who are present there are persecuted. High halfing populations exist in Diguardia, Jabama, and Aberkeireann.

Basic Information

Biological Traits

Halflings are short humanoids who look vaguely like smaller humans. They rarely grow to be more than 3 feet in height. Halfling proportions vary, with some looking like shorter adult humans with slightly larger heads and others having proportions closer to those of a human child. Most halflings prefer to walk barefoot rather than wearing shoes, and those who do so develop roughly calloused soles on their feet over time. Tufts of thick, often-curly hair warm the tops of their broad, tanned feet. Halfling skin tones tend toward rich, tawny shades like amber or oak, and their hair color ranges from a light golden blond to raven black. Halflings reach physical adulthood around the age of 20. A typical halfling can live to be around 150 years old.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Halflings are primarily located in Oneria, but there are small camps of halflings throughout Chaia.

Civilization and Culture

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Despite their jovial and friendly nature, halflings don’t usually tend to congregate. They do have a homeland in Southern Chaia within what is now Oneria, but they also weave themselves throughout the societies of the world. Halflings eke out whatever living they can manage, many performing menial labor or holding simple service jobs. Some halflings reject city life, instead turning to the open road and traveling from place to place in search of fortune and fame. These nomadic halflings often travel in small groups, sharing hardships and simple pleasures among close friends and family. Wherever halflings go, they seamlessly blend into the society they find themselves in, adapting to the culture of the predominant ancestry around them and adding their uniquely halfling twists, creating a blend of cultural diffusion that enriches both cultures.

by CG-Zander

Scientific Name

pumilio sapiens domum

Lifespan

150 years

Average Height

2'10"

Average Weight

80 lbs