Small and lucky, halflings are found in the cozy corners of the world where they live lives unbothered by great misfortune. More than just a stereotype, this conclusion holds true upon examination: halflings, by some nature or fate, tend very consistently to skirt around danger and malady, allowing them to live peaceful lives - even those halflings who venture out into the world to find danger themselves.
Halflings resemble humans, only about half their size. Younger halflings are easy to confuse with human children, but as they grow up their differences become more obvious. Just like humans, they come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, the primary difference besides their stature being that the average halfling lives for about 150 years.
The supposed "halfling luck" is hardly superstition, though it's impossible to prove by any scientific metric. Research the annals of history and you'll find uncountable cases; a dragon who razes a countryside gets bored and flies back home just before it catches sight of a halfling hamlet; halfling freedom fighters slip through the fingers of totalitarian governments, barely noticed; a halfling family just so happens to carry the humours granting them immunity to a ravaging plague.
Perhaps for these reasons, halflings are seen by some as peace-loving folk, but occasionally also as true heroes in the dark.
The halfling species can be split into two races; known as light and stout. As plainly as the names go, light halflings tend to be talented at moving quickly and quietly through the world around them, and most halflings a person would meet are light halflings. Stout halflings are generally those who can be found in harsher regions of the world; they are built stronger and tougher to a notable degree, and are usually a few inches shorter than their light halfling cousins. Stout halflings are also differentiated from light by their extremely tough, hairy feet; most don't even bother wearing shoes.
Halflings in the World
While less widespread than humans, halflings live all over the world in societies similar to other common folk. As the most common of the civilized smaller folk - as gnomes tend to be rarer, and goblins and kobolds often live outside of civilized society - many of the societies across the earth ensure their world is accessible to halflings; on a metropolitan street you'll find shops selling large and small clothes of the same quality and restaurants hosting low tables and high chairs for those who need them regularly. These things are a fairly common sight thanks to the prevalence of halflings.
Things are not always pleasant, however; in some places, certain organizations will ban halflings from participating in competitive events or gambling. For people who really believe in halfling luck, the whole species might as well be cheating.
In certain regions, such as Halcyon Kingdom or Domus March, traditionally halfling-dominant settlements exist; many of these have persisted through the millennia, and some would say little has changed in those places while the world moves around them. Some people consider the idea of retiring to or near a halfling settlement to be something of a life goal; in all cases these folk seem to live peacefully and in harmony with the nature around them, without many of the worries that tend to appear in more populous regions; and in all eras, miraculously avoiding war or disaster.
Some groups - usually stout halflings - live far outside the reaches of civilization, in harsh and dangerous environments. If one is able to find these folk, they'll discover peaceful glades or secret tunnels buried in treacherous corners, where these people get by unbothered by the outside world.
Halfling Player Characters
As a halfling, you are defined by your luck and a sense of optimism. No matter where you go or what you're doing, things seem to always work out one way or another. It might not always be a wonderful life - and despite everything, no halfling is completely immune to misfortune - but you're at the very least kept aloft by pleasant luck.
Most halflings and people in general aren't aware of a true supernatural luck granted to halflings by any objective measure; at best, you'll find people tend to think in superstitious terms. Some might blame gods and others might call it coincidences.
Consider how your lucky streak has affected your life so far; despite appearances, many notable halflings find themselves in danger or hijinks frequently. Perhaps their luck makes them more prone to taking risks, or perhaps luck doesn't occur in mundane situations.
If you're from a larger settlement, you're more likely to be a light halfling by race; if you're from somewhere in the wilderness, the hairy-footed stout halflings are more likely your family. Halflings are born and grow up much like humans, so consider the sort of relationships you'd have with family and neighbors based on that setting.
Halfling Traits
Ability Score Bonus. You gain a +2 to Dexterity.
Age. Halflings reach maturity around age 20, and can live to see 150.
Size. Your size is Small. Halflings are usually about 3 feet tall and weigh 40 - 50 pounds.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
Small Build. You require 50% less food than an average human to survive day to day.
Lucky. 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.
Brave. You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.
Halfling Nimbleness. You can move through the space of any creature that is of a size larger than yours.
Light Halfling Traits
Ability Score Bonus. You gain a +1 to Charisma.
Naturally Stealthy. You can attempt to hide even when you are obscured only by a creature that is at least one size larger than you.
Stout Halfling Traits
Ability Score Bonus. You gain a +1 to Constitution.
Stout Resilience. You have advantage on saving throws against poison, and you have resistance against poison damage.
