The Halfling Pantheon
Halfling societies adhere to a pantheon of gods that govern different aspects of their lives. The halfling gods are normally portrayed together, embodying the heart of the halfling community. Gwinthia, the Joyous Mother, is often depicted seated in a large wooden rocking chair, shown chucking wheat or other agricultural products into the air, signifying her domain over nature and agriculture.
Kintar, the Hearth Keeper, is depicted as a living hearth fire, warm and inviting. It is often portrayed next to Gwinthia, with the fires roaring brightly. A large shaggy greyhound is normally at the feet of the chair, oversized compared to the halfling. The greyhound is Fidelis, the Shaggy Guardian, who is shown as a loyal and protective companion to the halflings.
Together, the three halfling gods embody the essence of the halfling community, representing the importance of family, home, nature, and protection.
Gwinthia, the Joyous Mother is a maternal figure who embodies the spirit of joy, celebration, and community. She is associated with the harvest, festivals, and the natural world. Her name roughly translates to "who brings happiness and abundance."
Gwinthia is the embodiment of the halfling's sense of community, joy, and abundance. She watches over the halflings and their settlements, and is invoked during harvest festivals, weddings, and other joyous occasions. She is also associated with agriculture and nature, and is often depicted holding a sheaf of wheat or a bouquet of flowers. Halflings believe that Gwinthia blesses the land and the crops, ensuring a bountiful harvest every year.
Gwinthia is often depicted as a warm and motherly figure, with a curvier frame that exudes a sense of comfort and nurturing. Her wild, curly hair is a bright and fiery orange, braided down to the floor and adorned with flowers and other natural accents. Her face is round and cherubic, with rosy cheeks spotted with freckles and full, painted red lips that form a cheerful and coy smile.
In halfling art, Gwinthia is often depicted wearing simple, flowing garments in colors that represent the changing seasons - warm oranges and reds in autumn, cool blues and greens in spring, bright yellows and pinks in summer, and earthy browns and greens in winter. She is often shown holding or surrounded by symbols of agriculture, such as wheat stalks, fruits, and vegetables, or with animals that represent the natural world and its cycles, such as deer or birds. In many depictions, she is shown presiding over joyful festivals and gatherings, bringing the halfling community together in celebration of the harvest, the changing of the seasons, or simply the joy of being alive.
In addition to her association with nature and agriculture, Gwinthia is also associated with the creation and consumption of drinks, especially honey mead. Halflings believe that Gwinthia blesses the brewer's craft, and that she imbues every drop of mead with her joyful, celebratory spirit.
Halflings also invoke Gwinthia's name when they gather together in large numbers, as they believe that her presence can help to strengthen their bonds of community and promote feelings of happiness and well-being. Overall, Gwinthia is a beloved figure in halfling culture, and is seen as a source of joy, abundance, and togetherness.
Kintar, the Hearth Keeper is the god of the hearth, representing the warmth and comfort of home and family. It is associated with fire, cooking, and the ties that bind families together. The hearth name roughly translates to "who keeps the fires burning." Kintar, the Hearth Keeper, is a god revered by halflings for their love of warmth, hearth, and family. Kintar's appearance as a living hearth fire is often imagined as a dancing, flickering flame that glows with a warm and comforting light. Halflings believe that this flame represents not only the warmth of the hearth, but also the warmth of their community and their connection to one another. Colorations change from a warm amber to a fiery red with swirls of rainbow colors erupt when fed wood of various types. Indeed, many traditions in the halfling home come down to the use of special woods at special times of the year for the god. As the embodiment of hearth and home, Kintar is believed to be responsible for maintaining the warmth and safety of every halfling household. Halflings believe that the hearth is the heart of their home, and that Kintar blesses their hearths with a steady and comforting flame, bringing both physical warmth and emotional comfort to their families. Halflings also believe that Kintar's fire burns within their own hearts, inspiring them to uphold the values of community and family that are so important to their culture. Each halfling carries a small token with the ashes of their birth fire to remember this. They see Kintar's influence in their own desire to gather around the hearth, to share food and stories, and to support one another through good times and bad. Finally, Kintar is also associated with the element of fire, and is seen as a source of light and inspiration. Halflings believe that Kintar's flame can guide them through dark times, and that it can help to illuminate their way forward. As such, Kintar is also invoked during times of crisis or uncertainty, as a way of seeking guidance and comfort from the hearth and the community that surrounds it.
Fidelis, the Shaggy Guardian is a large, shaggy greyhound who serves as the protector and guardian of the halfling community. He is associated with defense, loyalty, and guidance, and is often depicted as a companion to travelers and wanderers and for this reason many carry small tokens to represent him. His name roughly translates to "who is faithful and watchful." Fidelis, the Shaggy Guardian, is a god revered by halflings for their love of protection, guardianship, and guidance. Fidelis is often depicted as a large, shaggy greyhound with wise and watchful eyes, representing the guardian spirit that halflings believe watches over their communities and protects them from harm. As the embodiment of protection, Fidelis is tireless and is believed to be responsible for guarding not only the physical boundaries of the halfling community but also the emotional and spiritual boundaries that keep their society strong and connected. Halflings believe that Fidelis watches over them in life and death, guiding them towards what is right and protecting them from harm. Halflings also see Fidelis as a symbol of loyalty and fidelity, representing the unwavering commitment that they have to their communities and to each other. They believe that Fidelis inspires them to remain steadfast in the face of adversity, to protect and care for their families and their communities, and to always be true to their values and beliefs. Finally, Fidelis is also associated with the idea of guidance and wisdom. Halflings believe that Fidelis can help to guide them through difficult times and to provide them with the insight and knowledge that they need to make good decisions. As such, Fidelis is often invoked as a source of wisdom and guidance, especially during times of crisis or uncertainty.
Kintar, the Hearth Keeper is the god of the hearth, representing the warmth and comfort of home and family. It is associated with fire, cooking, and the ties that bind families together. The hearth name roughly translates to "who keeps the fires burning." Kintar, the Hearth Keeper, is a god revered by halflings for their love of warmth, hearth, and family. Kintar's appearance as a living hearth fire is often imagined as a dancing, flickering flame that glows with a warm and comforting light. Halflings believe that this flame represents not only the warmth of the hearth, but also the warmth of their community and their connection to one another. Colorations change from a warm amber to a fiery red with swirls of rainbow colors erupt when fed wood of various types. Indeed, many traditions in the halfling home come down to the use of special woods at special times of the year for the god. As the embodiment of hearth and home, Kintar is believed to be responsible for maintaining the warmth and safety of every halfling household. Halflings believe that the hearth is the heart of their home, and that Kintar blesses their hearths with a steady and comforting flame, bringing both physical warmth and emotional comfort to their families. Halflings also believe that Kintar's fire burns within their own hearts, inspiring them to uphold the values of community and family that are so important to their culture. Each halfling carries a small token with the ashes of their birth fire to remember this. They see Kintar's influence in their own desire to gather around the hearth, to share food and stories, and to support one another through good times and bad. Finally, Kintar is also associated with the element of fire, and is seen as a source of light and inspiration. Halflings believe that Kintar's flame can guide them through dark times, and that it can help to illuminate their way forward. As such, Kintar is also invoked during times of crisis or uncertainty, as a way of seeking guidance and comfort from the hearth and the community that surrounds it.
Fidelis, the Shaggy Guardian is a large, shaggy greyhound who serves as the protector and guardian of the halfling community. He is associated with defense, loyalty, and guidance, and is often depicted as a companion to travelers and wanderers and for this reason many carry small tokens to represent him. His name roughly translates to "who is faithful and watchful." Fidelis, the Shaggy Guardian, is a god revered by halflings for their love of protection, guardianship, and guidance. Fidelis is often depicted as a large, shaggy greyhound with wise and watchful eyes, representing the guardian spirit that halflings believe watches over their communities and protects them from harm. As the embodiment of protection, Fidelis is tireless and is believed to be responsible for guarding not only the physical boundaries of the halfling community but also the emotional and spiritual boundaries that keep their society strong and connected. Halflings believe that Fidelis watches over them in life and death, guiding them towards what is right and protecting them from harm. Halflings also see Fidelis as a symbol of loyalty and fidelity, representing the unwavering commitment that they have to their communities and to each other. They believe that Fidelis inspires them to remain steadfast in the face of adversity, to protect and care for their families and their communities, and to always be true to their values and beliefs. Finally, Fidelis is also associated with the idea of guidance and wisdom. Halflings believe that Fidelis can help to guide them through difficult times and to provide them with the insight and knowledge that they need to make good decisions. As such, Fidelis is often invoked as a source of wisdom and guidance, especially during times of crisis or uncertainty.
Divine Domains
- Gwinthia, the Joyous Mother: Her divine domains include agriculture, fertility, festivals, nature, and community. As the Joyous Mother, she represents the abundance of life, the warmth of community, and the joy of celebration. She blesses crops, assists in childbirth, and helps to maintain the balance of nature.
- Kintar, the Hearth Keeper: Their divine domains include fire, warmth, family, and home. As the embodiment of the hearth, Kintar represents the importance of family and community ties. Its blesses hearths and homes, brings warmth and comfort to the household, and protects the family from harm.
- Fidelis, the Shaggy Guardian: His divine domains include protection, guardianship, loyalty, and guidance. As the guardian of the halfling community, Fidelis represents the importance of loyalty and protection. He blesses weapons and armor, guides travelers, and protects the community from danger.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
Gwinthia, the Joyous Mother's divine symbols:
- A sunburst made of gold and amber, representing the joy and warmth of the community she embodies.
- A cornucopia overflowing with fruits and vegetables, symbolizing the abundance of nature and the harvest.
- A mother holding a child with one hand and a mug of mead in the other, symbolizing the celebration of life and the bounty of the land.
- A simple hearth made of stone, symbolizing the central role of the hearth in halfling homes and communities.
- A pair of hands warming themselves by a fire, representing the warmth and comfort provided by the hearth.
- A stylized flame surrounded by a circle, symbolizing the unity and interconnectedness of the halfling community.
- A paw/claw print of a giant weasel or giant hawk, representing the loyal companionship and protection provided by Fidelis and his animal allies.
- A shield with a stylized image of a greyhound, representing Fidelis' role as protector of the halfling community.
- A necklace of animal teeth, representing the wild and primal nature of Fidelis and his connection to the natural world.
Tenets of Faith
- Community: Halflings believe in the strength of their community and in the importance of working together to achieve common goals. They strive to build strong bonds with one another and to support each other in times of need.
- Hospitality: Halflings believe in the importance of welcoming and providing hospitality to all who enter their community. They see this as a way to build relationships and strengthen their bonds with others.
- Joy: Halflings believe that joy and merriment are essential to a happy and fulfilling life. They celebrate life's joys, both big and small, and seek to spread happiness and laughter wherever they go.
- Respect for Nature: Halflings have a deep respect for nature and believe that all living things have value and should be treated with care and compassion. They strive to live in harmony with the natural world and to protect it for future generations.
- Loyalty: Halflings believe in the importance of loyalty to family, friends, and community. They value trust and honesty and expect their fellow halflings to uphold these virtues as well. They stand by each other through thick and thin and are fiercely protective of those they love.
Divine Classification
Greater Pantheon
Children
