Halflings

Halflings (or Hannerdyn, as they call themselves) are a clever, capable, enthusiastic, and pleasant people hailing from the sunny valleys and warm marshes of the southern Carthannas region. Halflings living in these areas among their own kind are regarded as honest and hardworking folk; however many of those living outside of their ancestral communities have historically gained notoriety as swindlers, charlatans, and crooks, which can be a source of unfair discrimination for some Halflings, though they are also less likely to be hassled by criminal groups as a result. Halflings tend to be hoarders, filling their homes with collections of belongings holding sentimental significance to them.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Halflings typically stand about 2-1/2 to 3 feet tall and weigh 30 to 40 pounds. Male Halflings are generally a bit taller and weigh slightly more than females on average. They are less muscular and more childlike in build than Gnomes. Halfling features are most similar to Cassian Humans, with fair skin; reddish brown hair; and green or hazel eyes. Truthfully, some people less familiar with Halflings may easily mistake them for Cassian Human children. Halflings can grow facial hair however this is rarely known to other races, as Halflings take pride in keeping their faces clean shaven and their hair styles short and neatly trimmed. Indeed, hygiene of all sorts is generally quite important to Halflings, occasionally to a compulsive and obsessive degree, though their eating, drinking, and smoking habits are still quite unhealthy. Halflings are not embarrassed by their short statures in the presence of other races, but it is only respectful for “tallfolk,” as Halflings call larger races, to provide step-stools and raised seating in their places of business, and a tall person taking a knee whilst speaking to a Halfling on even ground is considered quite courteous. This practice does not extend to Gnomes, who dislike attention being called to their heights.

Genetics and Reproduction

Halflings reproduce sexually, with one male and one female parent. The female carries the offspring, rarely fewer than two or more than five, to term for 12 months in her womb, located in the lower torso.

Growth Rate & Stages

Halflings live a bit longer than Humans on average, reaching adulthood around 24 summers of age, with a life expectancy of around 120 summers.

Ecology and Habitats

Halflings are generally able to thrive in environments where ambient temperatures range from 0C to 40C, shying away from both extreme hot and cold. Halflings rarely travel into frozen territory, and are not fond of prolonged stays in desert areas. Halflings are generally only found in their ancestral homelands of the southern Carthannas Region, though a few rare loners may reside in the temperate Montagnard and Cassia regions of Ademlos. Halflings cannot stand excessively cold or hot weather, and would never freely choose to live in the frozen northern or arid southern regions of the realm. Though most Halflings are content to live peaceful, pastoral lives on the lands their forefathers have cultivated for millennia, it is relatively common for Halflings born into larger families with many siblings to seek out wealth and personal fulfillment away from home, choosing to travel around Carthannas in their youths, though most ultimately return to be with their families again later in life. Most of the companies of roving trade caravans which exchange goods and commodities between settlements of the region are heavily staffed by Halflings, though the same can unfortunately be said of membership in the bands of brigands and highwaymen throughout Carthannas.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Halflings have no special racial abilities to their senses.

Origin/Ancestry

Carthannite