Hadin {Halflings}

Description

The diminutive Hadin are a common sight all across Levantis. They are more commonly called Halflings, and most of them live a traveling lifestyle. While they are generally good-natured, their caravans are often met with distrust from local law enforcement because of how easy it is for thieves and assassins to hide among them.
In many ways they resemble small, stocky humans and they are said to have been formed from Elemental Earth. They stand about 3 feet tall and are generally stout. They are closely related to humans and their small stature is a trait they developed back in the Old Valley due to insular dwarfism as a result of their isolation in an environment of limited size.
Halflings’ skin ranges from a deep tan to caucasian with a ruddy cast, and their hair is usually brown or sandy brown and wavy. They have brown or hazel eyes. Halfling men often sport long sideburns, but beards are rare among them and mustaches even more so. They like to wear simple, comfortable, and practical clothes, favoring bright colors.

Culture

Every Halfling knows the stories of the sacred Old Valley that are passed down verbally through their clans. The legends tell of a single valley surrounded by mountains and connected to the Elemental Plane of Earth that was the homeland of all Halflings. According to these stories it was a veritable paradise blessed by the Gods with fertile lands, no predators or other races that would subjugate them. But then a contagious disease appeared and in their small isolated paradise it spread like wildfire and threatened to wipe them out. No one knows where it came from or what happened to those left behind, but many caravans of healthy Halflings set out into the world, promising to return once the disease had disappeared. By the time they had reached other civilizations, most of them were second or third generation who no longer knew the details of their home or what the disease was. They have lost the way back since and have been living among the other races in their traveling trade caravans, in the hopes that if they explore the entire world they will one day find their home again.
Halflings are very focused on community, particularly their extended family or clan. They share much in terms of possessions in their clans and travel with them in large caravans. They are orderly and traditional, leaning heavily on the support of their close-knit communities and the comfort of their old ways. This is especially true for the elderly, who are usually taken care of by their children and children-in-law. It is a long-standing tradition that the young take care of the old, and in turn are taken care of when they grow old. Overall they are a very community-based, happy-go-lucky type of people and it is rare to see a solitary Halfling. While they easily mingle among other races, but they do not integrate as such, mostly sticking to their own community when it comes down to it.

Religion

Halflings have a very strong belief in freedom of religion, and thus they do not worship one single God. Religious beliefs are decided by the individual, although they are often shaped by their direct family and the host region to some extent. They do however have some very specific traditions surrounding marriage and funerals where the groom's family provides gold or other finery and the bride's family provides food and gems that represent the bounty of the earth. These traditions trace back to their longing for the richness of the Old Valley.

Statistics

For statistics refer to the official content, e.g. the Player Handbook.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Can be found all around Levantis, but the largest concentration of Halfling is found in Middenland and the Eastern Steppes.

Lifespan

Average of 150 years.

Average Height

0.8-1.0m on average.

Average Weight

15-17kg on average.