Halfling

A place to settle in peace and quiet, distant from raiding monsters and warring armies; a blazing fire and a big meal; excellent drink and fine conversation are the aim of most halflings' life. Though some halflings spend their days in isolated farming villages, others join nomadic bands that wander continuously, drawn by the open road and the vast horizon to explore new countries and peoples. Even these wanderers, however, value quiet, food, hearth, and home, even if home is a wagon rattling down a dirt road or a raft drifting downriver.
Halflings exist in a world populated by larger species by avoiding notice or, failing that, offending them. They are around 3 feet tall and seem quite innocuous, which is why they have survived for ages in the shadows of empires and on the outskirts of wars and political conflict. They have a robust build and weigh between 40 and 45 pounds. Long sideburns are common among halfling men, but beards and mustaches are extremely rarer. They prefer bright colors and choose simple, comfy, and functional clothing.
The pragmatism of halflings extends beyond their clothes. They're more concerned with fundamental requirements and modest pleasures, and ostentation isn't something they're interested in. Even the wealthiest halflings keep their riches hidden in a cellar rather than displaying them to the public. They have an uncanny ability to figure out the simplest answer to an issue and have little time for dithering.
Halflings are a kind and upbeat people. They value the ties of family and friendship, as well as the comforts of hearth and home, and they have little ambitions for wealth or glory. Even explorers among them go out into the world for a variety of reasons, including community, companionship, restlessness, or curiosity. They like learning new things, even if it's just something as basic as trying a new type of food or dressing in a different way.
Halflings are readily stirred to pity and hatred when they watch another living creature suffer. Even in hard circumstances, they are generous and willing to share what they have.
Halflings are skilled at blending into human, dwarven, or elf communities and making themselves valued and accepted. Halflings are able to escape unwelcome attention because to their natural stealth and modest demeanor.
Halflings are willing to collaborate with others and are devoted to their friends, whether halfling or not. When their friends, family, or communities are endangered, they may show incredible violence.
The majority of halflings live in tiny, pleasant villages with well-kept woods and vast farms. They seldom create their own kingdoms or even own much territory outside of their peaceful shires. They don't usually acknowledge halfling nobility or royalty, instead relying on family elders for guidance. Despite the rise and fall of empires, families maintain their ancient traditions.
Many halflings live among other races, where their hard labor and loyalty result in plentiful rewards and creature comforts. Some halfling societies live on the road, hauling wagons or steering boats from place to place without having a fixed home.
Halflings attempt to get along with everyone and avoid broad generalizations, particularly unfavorable ones.
Halflings typically embark on an adventurer's path in order to protect their towns, assist their companions, or explore a vast and fascinating world. Adventure is less of a profession for them than a chance or, in some cases, a need.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

A halfling has a given name, a family name, and a nickname, if they have one. Often, family names are nicknames that have lasted so long that they have been passed down down the generations.
Male Names: Alton, Ander, Cade, Corrin, Eldon, Errich, Finnan, Garret, Lindal, Lyle, Merric, Milo, Osborn, Perrin, Reed, Roscoe, Wellby
Female Names: Andry, Bree, Callie, Cora, Euphemia, Jillian, Kithri, Lavinia, Lidda, Merla, Nedda, Paela, Portia, Seraphina, Shaena, Trym, Vani, Verna
Family Names: Brushgather, Goodbarrel, Greenbottle, High-hill, Hilltopple, Leagallow, Tealeaf, Thorngage, Tosscobble, Underbough

Halfling Druid

by Rob Taylor

Halfling Fighter

Lifespan

A halfling reaches adulthood at the age of 20 and generally lives around 100 years. A particularly long-lived halfling might reach 130, but this is unusual.

Average Height

3' to 3'6"

Average Weight

40 lbs.

Related Organizations

• Oartho
• The Pure

Related Ethnicities

• Lightfoot
• Stout

Halfling

Ability Score Increase +2 Dex

Size Medium

Speed 25 ft.

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Halfling Traits

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Lucky

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When you roll a 1 on an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll. You must finish a short or long rest before you can use this ability again.
Brave

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You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.
Halfling Nimbleness

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You can move through the space of any creature that is of a size larger than yours.
Halfling Ethnicities

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The two main kinds of halfling, Lightfoot and Stout, are more likely closely related family lines than true ethnicities, but the effect is much the same after a few dozen generations.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Halfling. The Halfling language isn't secret, but halflings are loath to share it with others. They write very little, so they don't have a rich body of literature. Their oral tradition, however, is very strong. Almost all halflings speak Common to converse with the people in whose lands they dwell or through which they are traveling.

Halfling adventurers are fun to travel with, but keep your guard up. If there was a rulebook for adventuring, halflings would break every single rule in the book, then write more rules just to break them. But go to a halfling's home and put a cup in the wrong place, you'd think you'd insulted their mother. Come to think of it, maybe you did... the cup was probably hers."

— Nartlur