Hin - Hobniz, Halflings

Hin ("hobniz" in the Flan tongue) are half the height of humans and look much like human children, though their faces age like those of humans. A light covering of hair runs over most of their bodies, especially the backs of their hands and the tops of their feet.
While humans and other sometimes call them halflings, they call themselves the Hin, which means "the People". Generations of living with humans has made them accepting of halfling, but most Hin will correct one of the big folk using that term.
Hin usually travel about barefoot, their thick-soled feet protecting them from the ordinary pain humans would feel in stepping on briars, sharp stones, and so on - though such protection only extends so far, of course. Most Hin build shallow burrow homes or cottages in grasslands, forests, or hills.
Halflings, called hobniz by the Flan, have three distinct types. The primary group is the lightfoot, the typical halfling found in the Flanaess. Lightfoots average just over 3 feet tall and are ruddy faced, with hair and eyes in various shades of brown. The next most common sort are the stouts, somewhat shorter than lightfoots and having broad features and coarse hair. Last are the tallfellows, who are taller, slimmer, and have fairer complexions than lightfoots. Most halflings have wavy or curly hair. Some, particularly stouts, also grow hair on their cheeks.
Halflings originally occupied small settlements in the river valleys of the west-central Flanaess. They spread slowly into other territories, so that by the time of the Suel and Oeridian migrations, few were north of the Gamboge Forest or east of the Harp River. They are common in much of the Sheldomar Valley, interacting freely with humans, dwarves, elves and gnomes. Historically, they prefer to dwell in stable nations ruled by stronger folk. Today, halflings are found in much of the Flanaess, but they still favor the central and western regions from the Urnst states to the three Uleks.
Halflings are clever and capable, whether they are hard-working farmers or tricky rogues. Most halflings are curious and daring, getting themselves into trouble as often as they get themselves out of it. They have great appetites for food, drink, and collecting things. They love fun, get along well with almost anyone who will at least tolerate them, and enjoy travel and opportunities for excitement.
Halflings prefer to wear knee-britches and tunics or shirts, often with vests. Males wear coats and high collared shirts on formal occasions, while females dress in a bodice-covered shift and long skirts. Shirts and britches are often striped in alternating bright and dark colors. They dress themselves in gnome style when hunting or at war, wearing clothing of mottled greens and browns.
The best-known halfling magic is culinary. Many halfling foods are made to retain their freshness for lengthy periods, and they use herbs with healing and other medicinal properties. However, most halfling spells are defensive and protective in nature.

Ethnicities

Three subraces of Hin live in the Flanaess. The hairfeet is the most numerous and usual group, and most of these live among humans.
Tallfellows are about 6 inches taller and rather willowy in build, usually living near elven groups.
Stouts are about 6 inches shorter than hairfeet and live among dwarves. All of these groups are basically good natured and enjoy creature comforts.
No hin-ruled states exist in the Flanaess. Hin are the least forward of any demihuman race, preferring to live in the shadow of bigger folk such as humans and elves.

Family and Property

To the Hin, there are layers of family. There's your immediate family, spouse, children, parents, and your close family, aunts, uncles, grandparents, great grandparents, cousins, second cousins, and old "uncle" Eral who doesn't have anywhere else to go, so you kind of include him in everything. Then there's the extended family, which means every other Hin. Like any family, there may be some black sheep and ne'er-do-wells, but that's part of being family.
What this means is that Hin don't see boundaries the same way as other folk. It is perfectly acceptable for a hin to walk into another hin's kitchen and make themselves a meal, or scour through the workshop looking for a tool they need. Very few burrows have locks on the door in a hin village, though they get a bit more secure when living with the big folk. That being said, many hin know how to open the locks used on hin homes, and might even be encouraged to practice by the homeowner.
Of course, any family member would be expected to return what they borrowed if at all possible, and most hin take that responsibility seriously. Hin that are down on their luck may help with chores or run errands, but no hin would turn away one of their own, even if they couldn't return the favor. No hin in recorded history has ever starved in a hin village or district, and starvation is seen as one of the most horrifying ways to die.
Around other folk, this tends to give hin the reputation as sneak-thieves and rogues. The fact that they are so good at those skills many call "thievery" reinforces that reputation, but very few hin call themselves thieves.
That said, hin do have a unique understanding of personal property, though most understand that other folk think differently. If someone needs something, then they should be able to borrow it. As said above, returning it is expected, but borrowing is not stealing. Hoarding, in a hin's eyes, is akin to stealing. Keeping something needed to oneself, for no apparent reason, is the same as theft, and although two wrongs don't make a right, hin have little respect or regard for those who hoard. This outlook often puts them at odds with the rich and powerful. Hoarding food when people are hungry (and not just hin, because that shouldn't happen in the first place) is considered downright evil.

Basic Information

Growth Rate & Stages

Approximate Age Categories

• Adulthood: 20 years

• Middle Age: 50 years

• Old: 75 years

• Venerable: 100 years

• Maximum Age: Most hin pass before their 200th year

Average Physique

Hairfoot Male

• Random Height: 2'6" +2d4

• Random Weight: 30 lb. + [Height Roll × 1d4 lb.]

• Average: 2'11", 43 lbs.

Hairfoot Female

• Random Height: 2'4" +2d4

• Random Weight: 25 lb. + [Height Roll × 1d4 lb.]

• Average: 2'9", 38 lbs.