Halfling
A notice to the residents of Tarryton: DO NOT BOTHER THE NEW RESIDENT AT HORGONHILL! I understand that for us Halflings, having an Eternal pop up in town is strange and new and exciting. But they want peace and quiet in this town and that's what we're gonna give them. Remember, Halfling Hospitality is second to none. On another note, we'll need a few volunteers to go and deal with the Kestodon at the local watering hole. Agitha got a broken hip when one of those things rammed into her and we can't be getting knocked on our faces everytime we try to get some water.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Halflings are a short and stout bipedal race about the same size as Gnomes and Goblins. Stoneblood Halflings are hardier than other halflings, due to the Dwarven blood running through their veins.
Growth Rate & Stages
Halflings are not considered adults until the start of their second decade of life, living well into their second century after that point.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Fuormarked Halflings have psionic talents due to what their ancestors went through, able to telepathically speak to someone in close proximity to them should they share a language.
Civilization and Culture
History
Halflings grew as gentlefolk in the Aerin Valley and the Lake Elu regions. Stories tell of kind folk who lived in hillside communities and even amongst them as neighbors. But while the Halflings were kind, they were fierce in the defense of their home. When a kingdom was threatened by a rival power, Halflings would take up arms and ride animals from the depths of nature to rain down fury upon their enemies. "Kind in times of peace, determined in times of war" were the words of a Hobgoblin warlord who was soundly defeated when his legion attempted to march into the Aerin Valley and raid the province. Even the Crystalian Empire understands the role of Halflings in warfare, whether they are warriors or rogues.
This bravery is what impressed Dwarves they lived near, enough to cause the birth of the Stoneblood Halflings, who have the blood of Dwarves running through their veins. However, that same bravery is what drew the Elders to their attention, causing them to capture clans of these Halflings and experiment on them. The horrors they went through are not even told through the long, oral history of the Halflings, preferring it to be forgotten. However, these experiments created the Fuormarked, Halflings touched by madness. The first generation of these were unable to speak, the trauma of what they went through forcing their silence. However, as time went on, the future generations regained their voices and psionic talents began to appear in their lines, giving them a form of telepathy.
But the Halflings never forgot what the Elders did to them and they look forward to the day that they and the rest of Avestra can return the damage that they caused the mortals tenfold.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Most races have kind words for the Halflings as they simply want to live and let live. Their determination and valor even makes the races of the Haiakage Empire recgonize their strength as they are able to protect what is rightfully theirs from any threat. The most interesting relationship they have is with Eternals as these beings from the beginning of time sometimes prefer living in Halfling villages and towns that are quiet and out of the way. Halflings never ask questions afterall and once in a while, an Eternal can be found having tea on the porch of a Halfling hovel.
Origin/Ancestry
Fuormarked (Ghostwise), Shadowstep (Lightfoot), Stoneblood (Stout),
Lifespan
150 years
Average Height
3 feet
Average Weight
40 pounds
Geographic Distribution
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