Hoopak

While traveling among their gypsy caravans I more than once observed the smallfolk use their ingenious sling staffs to hunt for game. A group of hunters would settle in to what seemed a prime location and one or two of them would whirl their staves above their heads to create a noise that drove all manner of small creatures such as rabbits and quail and even large game like deer from their hiding places at a mad dash. The others would quickly dispatch a few choice animals with stones launched from the slings atop their weapons at ranges most human slingers would balk at. On one occasion I witnessed a brave soul use her hoopak to startle a warrior's mount enough for it to throw the rider who was then held down by two others while the children rifled through the man's possessions. Thus humiliated the warrior wisely chose to leave the smallfolk unmolested.

Petros Kormilis, The Smallfolk

The hoopak is a simple but ingenious weapon invented by halflings for defense of their homes and families. The weapon seems like a simple sling staff, but its simplistic nature belies it's actual functionality as a potent defensive weapon. Anyone can use the three foot tall staff as a club or to launch projectiles with deadly force but in the hands of a trained halfling warrior it's something else entirely. The simple hoopak is capable of chasing off animals, breaking cavalry charges, and even used to wrestle larger opponents (ie, everyone) to the ground.

Mechanics & Inner Workings

The hoopak can be swung overhead like a lever to fire sling stones or as a melee weapon for 1d6/bludgeoning. It has the following properties: Finesse, Ranged 40/160, Small, Special, Two-Handed
Special: As an action a halfling can whirl a hoopak through the air around their head to make a whistling noise that is audible to 300 feet. The noise spooks animals within 30 feet which must succeed at a Wisdom Save DC: 8+your dexterity modifier+your proficiency bonus or become frightened.
Special: A small creature proficient in the hoopak can use the weapon to gain advantage while grappling with a medium or large sized opponent. If they lose they can drop the hoopak to avoid being grappled themselves.

Significance

This is a cultural weapon for halflings and counts as a simple weapon for them only. Characters from halfling culture with simple weapon proficiency are trained to use this unique weapon. Anyone outside of halfling culture may only learn this weapon by taking the Weapon Master feat.

Item type

Weapon, Other

Related ethnicities

• Lightfoot Halfling
• Stout Halfling

Weight

2 pounds

Base Price

5 silver