Halflings

"Quite often we forget Halflings exist. To quite many of them this is obviously annoying, but, many of them have taken advantage of this"... Grummhold Bjornfather, Stonescribe of the Bjonfather Caravan.
Humans societies from all different places have always had Halflings living alongside them. No one knows how, or why. Some believe it was because they are an offshoot of humans, others, because of the The Traveler, after finding Karash.
Whichever the reason is, halflings have always molded their culture and mannerisms depending on the place they find themselves living: Halflings prayed to the same savage gods in The Northlands, Halfings played the same political games such as the refugees of the Kannathi empire in the The Valley Princes, and when peoples from the Eastlands landed on the The Crimson Lands, Halfings landed with them, Halflings of the East met Halflings of the West, and they had no qualms about fighting alongside their Eastern kinsman in the Crimson Crusade.
So, in many ways... Halfings are Humans, and they consider themselves part of Mankind... To a point; but, there are bits of their own culture and lore that has passed on from generation to generation, especially coming from the Valley Princes.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The diminutive halflings survive in a world full of larger creatures by avoiding notice or, barring that, avoiding offense. Standing about 3 feet tall, they appear relatively harmless and so have managed to survive for centuries in the shadow of empires and on the edges of wars and political strife. They are inclined to be stout, weighing between 40 and 45 pounds.

Halflings’ skin ranges from tan to pale with a ruddy cast, and their hair is usually brown or sandy brown and wavy. They have brown or hazel eyes. Halfling men often sport long sideburns, but beards are rare among them and mustaches even more so.

Ecology and Habitats

Where humans go, there are always Halflings, so much so that Elves of old considered both to be of the same species (of a sort), and only until several years later did Elves corrected themselves.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Halfings, because of their close relation with humans, use the same social structure and fall in the same strata that humans, half-elves and even half-orcs do.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Halflings are well-distributed wherever there are human settlements, including in places like Axalan.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Halfings' senses tend to be similar to that of Humans, though some say that Halfings can identify poisons and spices simply by smell or taste (a big exaggeration).

Civilization and Culture

Culture and Cultural Heritage

While Halfings tend to simply live by the same cultural and societal standards, rules and norms from other societies they live alongside, Halfings (whether Lightfoot or Stout) tend to get into the more secretive side of society due to their height and nimbleness.
Some Halflings in the Valley Princes, however, due exhibit a culture much of their own, hailing back from the old empire before the Devastation: They believe they are the Children of the dead God Enki, and oftentimes halfling entertainers emulate the trickster sage-god in the festivales around the Murren.

History

It is unknown just when did Halflings and Humans started to live side by side; even human scribes and storytellers cannot point out when, or even the gods themselves.
Depending on the religion, there are different interpretations, but some halflings in the The Northlands say that it was the mysterious Traveler god, after teaching the Gods the way to Karash, split into many parts so that he could keep watch of the world, and thus Halfings were born.

Common Myths and Legends

Some Halflings in the Northlands say they are fragments of the The Traveler, and it is they who safeguard mankind from falling into corruption and darkness, something that (for some apparent reason), The Traveler was keen into.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Hallfings tend to get along with everyone, especially humans, and in human societies they simply blend in and consider themselves part of that society. Even Highborn Elves believe Halflings to be "barely tolerable", a high praise amongst the elves.

Lifespan

Similar to humans

Average Height

by David Griffyth

2' 6" - 2' 8"

Average Weight

25 - 30 lb