Halflings
Halflings, Dwarven and Humans offspring, are a small race known for their resourcefulness, quick wits, and steady nerves. They are a nomadic folk who roam waterways and marshlands. No people travel farther or see more of what happens in the world than Halflings. Their unique perspective on the world, means that most species value their opinions, on political matters. A common Halfling brag is to describe all the different places you've been, or the different influential meetings you've attended.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Halfings stand about 4-feet tall and weigh about 80 pounds. They resemble small Humans and are proportioned like Human adults. Halflings have the same range of complexions as Humans, but most Halflings have dark hair and eyes. Halfling males don't have beards, but many have long, full sideburns. Halflings of both genders often wear complicated hairstyles, featuring complex braiding and weaving.
Biological Traits
Halflings are the smallest of the civilized species, with even the tallest Halfling about as tall as the shortest Dwarf. This allows them to be more nimble and functional on their hands as well as their feet. Halfling warriors train in way to use their size to their advantage, and mitigate the disadvantages from being almost half the size of most opponents. No amount of training can stop a broadsword, swung by an angry Goliath though.
Genetics and Reproduction
Halflings reproduce through sexual intercourse and a pregnancy period of 8 month
Growth Rate & Stages
Halflings have similar growth patterns to Humans, though the effects of aging don't hit them until the very last few years of their natural lifespan.
Ecology and Habitats
Halflings, similar to Humans, are able to adapt to their surroundings quite well. However, they tend to not want to settle down in specific areas and prefer a nomadic lifestyle.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Halflings are omnivores by nature, but due to their nomadic lifestyle, they tend to eat much more meats than plants.
Biological Cycle
Halflings are relatively resilient to the passage of time, given their shorter lifespan than other species. They are able to function at slightly lower temperatures than Humans before requiring furs, as well as slightly warmer temperatures before starting to sweat.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Halflings often follow Human hierarchy even among their tribes. There is typically a tribe elder, and other responsibilities that the tribe may require managing are lead by other tribal leaders, that all answer to the tribe elder. Many decisions tend to be made democratically, but the tribe elder has final say in all matters if they so choose.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Halflings can be found throughout Morad, traveling through plains, swamps, forests, and deserts alike. Many cities and kingdoms have special lodgings for Halflings that are visiting, often bringing with them good luck and bountiful trade.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Halflings do not have any major sensory differences from Humans, except for their above average reaction speed. They also seem to be luckier than other species, but no one is really able to determine how or why.
Civilization and Culture
Major Organizations
The largest Halfling organization is still quite small by other species standards. The Clay Lions are sought out for their services of mediation by anyone who can afford them.
History
The offspring of Humans and Dwarves, Halflings have made their lives their own. Unlike Half-Elves, who are stuck between their inherited cultures, Halflings have struck out on their own. Halflings came to be during the Era of War and instead of joining the Human or Dwarven armies against the other planes, Halflings were able to strike deals with many invaders to be left alone. Halflings often acted as intermediaries between two opposing parties, whether that be to run messages or act as impartial adjudicators during peace talks. Because they stood in the good graces of most species, the major events that took Morad from one Era to the next, had negligible impact on Halfling society as a whole. During The Era of Civilization, as Good King Hamwell established peace and control by settling Humans throughout the globe, Halflings were the first ones to question his methods. In their eyes, Good King Hamwell was just replacing the monstrous evils with potentially a Human one. The Good King rarely reached out to Halfling intermediaries during his negotiations, leaving that role up to his Human advisors. After the defeat of Good King Hamwell at the hands of the archdemon Kurokanax, many Humans suspect Halflings of sending the archdemon toward the Good King. The Halflings did have the best relations with denizens of Drekwal after all, and they were openly against Good King Hamwell's conquests. Because of this, Humans do not trust Halflings, often rejecting them from their cities, while the other species of Morad still employ them as in-between for many inter-species matters.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Halflings get along very well with every species on Morad, and many of the inter-planar species that many would consider monstrous. Humans however, have a hatred of Halflings, blaming them for the Human's most famous adventurer's, Good King Hamwell, apparent death. Halflings for their part don't try to mend the rift between the two species, often ruling against Humans in matter where they have the opportunity to do so.
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