Polar Halfling
This is the rarest subrace of halflings, originating far in the north in he Fahrym Unions, a frigid area of ice, mountain, and glacier. The polar halflings life in blissful isolation from other intelligent races.
The most distinguishing feature of this subrace is the full, long beard that sprouts from the chin of the mature males. These beards are a matter of great pride, and in the older polar halflings often extend as far as the waist. This race favors warm clothing, woven of animal hair or lined with fur. They regularly wear snowshoes and boots.
Polar halflings resemble Stouts in both height and girth, though their average life expectancy of 80 years is considerably shorter, no doubt due to their harsher native environment. Hair and skin color vary widely, but tend to be pale with very dark eyes. Those few polar halflings born with green eyes are accorded much status—they are believed to be emissaries of the gods and are treated to a life of near-royal privilege.
In their own environment, the Polar Halflings are primarily nomadic, ranging across icy glaciers and barren tundra, following great herds of migrating animals. They have become adept at surviving in these very harshest of conditions.
The polar halflings dwell in small clans, usually no more than thirty individuals in a community. In summer they live in tents of leather; in winter they make small, domed shelters of ice. Their clothing is made of fur, their equipment from leather, bone, and ivory; wood is difficult to come by in many parts of the Unions. Tribal leaders often wield metal weapons and tools acquired through trading with the frost dwarves. These metal tools are almost always still wrapped in leather due to metal otherwise binding to the skin of a creature in such a cold environment. Alternatively, the halflings will occasionally barter for the much rarer special metal of these dwarves that does not conduct heat nor cold properly, keeping it a relatively comfortable temperature even in the coldest of weather.
Having developed a number of specialized skills, the polar halflings are among the most adept demihumans in existence at surviving in their grueling environment—and seemingly having a good time while they’re doing it. In general, the polar halflings are a good-humored people who enjoy practical jokes, funny stories, and bawdy songs. Both parents care for the young with great tolerance and tenderness, teaching their children early on the secrets of surviving in their harsh climate.
Strangers—especially those who bring gifts, objects for trade, or interesting stories to tell—will be welcomed by the pole halflings with warm hospitality. Although their lives are hard, they are an unselfish people and will treat visitors with kindness and generosity unless given reason to do otherwise.
Members of this subrace are very proficient in specialized skills suited to their environment, some of which will carry over quite effectively into other locations. They are among the most patient trappers in the known world and skilled hunters, tanners, and leatherworkers as well. Their characteristic boat is a miniature kayak, a virtually water-tight shell of leather covering a sturdy bone frame. While only one of their skilled boatwrights can craft these vessels, virtually all adult polar halflings are adept at piloting them.
When hunting, the polar halflings use leather slings for small game and long, barbed spears for more formidable foes; a strong line can be attached to the spear to allow it—and whatever it has impaled—to be drawn back toward the launcher. In melee combat—which they avoid if at all possible—the polar halflings use short handled axes and daggers. Because of their small numbers and an absence of potential foes, the members of this subrace are unused to war and have developed no tactics for fighting an organized formation of soldiers.
In the realm of hunting and stalking, however, the polar halflings are second to none. Occasionally, a few of them led by an experienced warrior will embark on a mission to slay some dangerous threat to the tribe—such as a band of yetis or a frost giant. Through clever use of terrain and diversion, as well as patiently planned and executed ambush, these halflings have been known to vanquish foes many times their own size. In this respect, obviously, they are not so different from their cousins who live in warmer climates.
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Game Statistics
5th Edition
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3.5th Edition
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2nd Edition
| Ability | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3 | 17 |
| Dexterity | 8 | 19 |
| Constitution | 10 | 18 |
| Intelligence | 6 | 18 |
| Wisdom | 7 | 19 |
| Charisma | 5 | 18 |
| Class | Maximum |
|---|---|
| Fighter | 9 |
| Paladin | — |
| Ranger | 5 |
| Barbarian | — |
| Mage | 6 |
| Specialist | — |
| Warlock | 6 |
| Cleric | 8 |
| Druid | — |
| Monk | — |
| Shaman | 8 |
| Thief | 15 |
| Assassin | 10 |
| Bard | — |
| Psionicist | 10 |
All polar halflings automatically receive proficiency in Cold-Weather Survival without expending a non-weapon proficiency slot. In addition, they gain a +4 bonus to all saving throws versus cold-based attacks, whether magical or nonmagical, in addition to any other bonuses due to Constitution.
Polar halflings are naturally adept in the snow, and their speed is not reduced by nonmagical snow or ice.
Polar halflings love visitors, especially those who bring gifts and will gladly accept them into their camp.
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Encompassed species
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