Hearth Halfling (Koemfer)

Anatomy

The word “Koemfer” comes from the High Common word “comfort,” and that is exactly what the Hearth Halflings desire above all else: a comfortable life, which is largely evident in their often portly bodies. They prefer to do the least amount of work possible to achieve the best result, and it’s a rare thing indeed to see a Koemfer practicing with a weapon or wearing armor. However, they are sturdily built and considered the best farmers in all of Creacia. They wear simple but fine clothing, and prefer not to appear to gaudy. Ranging between three and four feet high on average, they have thick midlines which somehow do not translate up to their mostly childlike faces. Their hair is often curly and mostly sandy blonde to dark brown, with soft facial features and large brown, blue, or green eyes. Hairy feet and hairy hands give them their distinctive look, and one will see a Koemfer wearing shoes about as often as full plate mail.

Habitat

Hearth Halflings prefer to live in the temperate climates with good soil, ample rain, and lots of sunshine, and thus they are found in some of the most pleasant climes in the Centerlands. The greatest contingent of Koemfer live in the green and fertile Laffing Hills under the protection of Calead, Feldorn, and Toriel, neighboring lands to which they provide the best produce, ale and pipeweed in Creacia. Outside of the Laffing Hills, they can be found in nearly all temperate lands as one of the most populous peoples of the Centerlands, often living together in villages or clans within larger cities.

Origin

Along with the other Feyfolk, the Koemfer were created shortly after Fey magic entered Creacia, after the Dawning and the creation of the Dwarves, but before Humans, the Beastien and the Shadowborn. Whether myth or truth, it is believed that they have evolved from the children of Elves taken by good-natured Faeries and mixed with Fey blood. Whatever their ancient origin may be, they have been settled in the Laffing Hills and around the Centerlands since the first century after the First Ruination.

Culture

As a largely agrarian society, most independent Koemfers live in rural villages guided by small councils of elders and a mayor. Laffing Hills has no central government, just an annual Grand Fair held in Big Burrow where the councils get together and vote on regional issues. Hearth Halflings are famous for their comity and hospitality, and very much prefer settling disagreements over a fine meal with ale followed by pipeweed by the fire than any actual armed conflict. When pressed, however, Koemfers can make steadfast warriors and clerics--and of course the occasional pick pocket.

Languages

High Common

Player Characters

Abilities

• +2 Dexterity, +2 Charisma, -1 Strength, -1 Constitution

• Low light vision up to 120 feet

• Traits as listed by Pathfinder

Origin/Ancestry

Fey

Lifespan

70-110 years, mature at around 20 years

Average Height

2.5-3.5 feet

Average Weight

40-100 lbs.

Roslyse Tallcarrot, Fighter-Barmaid of Bigburrow

Jano Deeproot, Rogue of Horizontus