Sandling

Sandlings (or Freehearts as they call themselves) are halfings who trace their ancestry back to the Kingdom of Yutin. They tend to be slightly shorter than their northern cousins and usually have darker skin and hair. During the first and second ages the Freehearts were largely nomadic and were among the few groups able to freely travel between Yutin, Kolm, and Mitir, and Lobellia.
A group of Freehearts were saved from the first years of darkness by the  Raltelgi dwarves and the Freehearts worked hard to restore their traditions and way of life during the third age, with many stubbornly refusing to abandon Yutin despite the corruption from the demons. Small groups of Freehearts survived the second years of darkness through shelters prepared by the Empire, and their numbers have slowly been growing again. Despite most of them never having seen Yutin, reclaiming it remains a common ambition among those living in the fourth age.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

While the Freehearts once had their own dialect of the halfling language, it largely died out during the first years of darkness as the survivors mostly spoke in dwarven to ensure they didn't alienate their hosts. A few scholars have kept the knowledge of this dialect alive but there are fewer willing to spend time studying it with each generation.

Shared customary codes and values

Many of the values held by the Freeheart community were shaped by the harsh environment of their ancestral home.  The close ties within their communities have allowed them to maintain these values despite being forced to live alongside other races.

Art & Architecture

When the Freehearts were taken in by the dwarves they were keen to show their hosts that they could be of use. Keen to impress and repay the dwarves, some of the Freehearts learned how to cut gems and make gold and silver jewellery. They proved skilled at both with Freecut gems and Heartcraft cloak pins becoming popular amongst the dwarves.
When the Freehearts were able to leave the mines they took these new skills with them, and the popularity of their jewellery spread across the Empire. These skills became a part of a new tradition among the Freehearts with the techniques taught to each new generation.  Freecut gems have remained popular into the fourth age as spellcasters ahve found them to be especially receptive to magical energy.

Coming of Age Rites

Night of Suffering.

Encompassed species

• Halfling