Halflings
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Halflings, iconic for their short stature and idyllic lifestyle, are a highly concentrated and homogenized race among descendants. While bearing no heroic figure of the four brothers, Halflings rather have supposedly descended in a similar manner to Mali’dun. Certainly younger than any of the original four primary races, though elder enough to be beyond any true trace of lineage, Halflings are in history enigmatic. Though rather transparent and easygoing in their agrarian lifestyle, halflings have gone throughout history as peaceful farmers, typically straying outside of the violent conflicts which plague the other descendants. Celebrating a cultural folk-figure of “Knox”, this supposed god is an embodiment of the halfling spirit which lives on within every halfling.
Halflings are a highly homogenized and similar group. Though bearing different hair, skin, and eye colours, halflings do generally share similar heights, weights, and ever-youthful mindsets. Below is the rest of the necessary general information for all halflings.
Contents
Physical Attributes
Coloration
The variations in coloration are extreme, but almost always desaturated. They are, for all intents and purposes, the realistic colors of humans. Additionally, purples, blues, greens, and other ‘unnatural’ colors are almost unheard of as far as hair. Halfling hair is often light in tone, with many halflings having ginger, auburn, red, light brown, or blonde hair, though many weefolk have darker brown or black hair. Most halflings have caucasian skin tones, though it is not unheard of to see halflings of other ethnicities.
Height
Halflings range from about 2’0” - 3’3” ft tall. A halfling who is a fully-grown adult will fall within this height range, and will remain this way throughout their lives.
Weight
The average weight of a halfling varies greatly based on height, health, & lifestyle. However, a certain ‘healthy weight’ can be found. Given most halflings are rather sedentary individuals with gluttonous joys, a typical ‘healthy’ weight of a halfling is moreso a ‘happy’ weight. For a halfling at the upper height range of 3’3”, 120lbs is the maximum healthy weight that they may have. Your average halfling would be more around 70lbs, and even that is for the upper height range. Being around 100lbs or 120lbs would be a primary composition of adipose fats. Should a shorter halfling be near this weight, or should a halfling be beyond this limit and 120lbs plus, this is extra weight in fat and does not contribute to muscle mass or strength. The minimum weight of a considered-thin halfling would be 30lbs.
Lifespan
“If you are a god, then show us!” --An elf, moments before lightning had struck Lord Knox’s Shrine in response.
Halflings are, similar to humans, short-lived in comparison to other races. Halflings will live up until 150 years, potentially due to a latent curse of human ancestry. They mature, both culturally and physiologically at the age of 33- twice as slow as humans. They will continue aging twice as slow throughout the rest of their lives, meaning that at 150 they will appear to be about 75 in Human-terms of aging. Similar to elves, culturally, halflings tend to mature mentally about a twice-as-slow pace as well, giving credence to their childlike nature and ambition. The different periods of life after maturing, from young adult to very old elder, can be stretched out to fill the bulk of one’s life. This is determined by what part they wish to roleplay the most. For example, an 80 year old halfling can be a grey haired, but a youthful individual. Another halfling 80 years old can be in their prime physically, still maintaining youth. There is no precise limit as each halfling is subject to their own rate of aging - merely never succeeding 150. Though in general, every two years for Humans is one year physically and mentally for wee folk.
Clothing
Halfling clothing tends to vary from one individual to another. Some halflings prefer to wear jackets for special occasions or if they are feeling fancy that particular day. Others might wear some sort of farmhand trousers combined with a vest or shirt if they need to work or travel. Overalls and suspenders are also quite common. The more relaxed and nature-loving halflings will wear casual or very short clothing. Most female halflings wear short dresses or skirts.
Other Attributes
Due to their relatively longer lives Halflings are known as laid back and prefer to take life slow. However, they are among the most talented tinkers, farmers, brewers, and cooks. They are famous for their many inventions and exquisite meals. Halflings in the past have been known to reach for greatness, many becoming a Druid, Ascended, and High Pontiff.
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Birth
There are wild rumors about how Halflings are born. Many of these rumors consist on them being born in an unusual way, a myth which was told in old antiquated books. Most of these have turned out to be just myths and tavern rumors and they are not truthful in any sense; halflings are born the same as all other Descendants. Halflings cannot be born from anything other than a Halfling mother although wild tales of other races' blood mixed in have surged in recent centuries.
History
Halflings have well documented history, A History of Halflings was written in Aegis to record Halfling history and culture for posterity. Originally appearing somewhere around F.A 300, the Halfling people were shunned by both Dwarves and Humans alike. Many Halflings were known as thieves and burglars due to their short stature and inherent greed. Over time however, Halflings became less inclined to thievery and roguishness. They began to settle into secluded villages far away where their culture was able to develop. As written in Petyr's book, Halfling culture thrived during this time and many distinctive 'Halfling' traits were founded during this time. Brewing and cooking became distinctive, taking on unique flavors and new twists. However religion never begins to take off, instead quasi-religious figures appear based around things that the Halflings admired the most: food, harvest, and safety. In the place of religion family values in the village grew, many believing that if one were to betray his family and village, he had betrayed everyone.
Over time the Halfling culture began to grow and change into the modern culture we know today. Many Halfling live within a singular village, they live isolated away from the hustle and bustle of city live. Some Halflings choose to move away, instead living in populated cities throughout the realm. Halfling culture has changed little since the founding of Dunwood in Aegis. Halflings have moved countless times since Aegis, each town different but the same to the last one. In most recent times the Halflings live in the village of Brandybrook.
Religion
Many Halflings do not follow the religion of Humans. In older times many Halflings believed in the Pumpkin Lord, a magical being that appears before them. He resembles a man with a pumpkin for a head and throughout history has appeared to come the Halflings in times of need. Unbeknownst to the Halflings, they had been worshipping the arrival of Lord Knox, a deranged murderer. Many Halflings did not worship frequently, although many held The Pumpkin Lord in high regard building shrines in dedication to him. Among other gods that were worshipped is the Squidlord Arugula. In myths she appears as a giant squid engulfing entire villages and dragging them into the ocean. It is rumored that the Daemon Arugula grants power to those who are most devoted, turning them into powerful mages known as Munchkins.
In modern day, these gods still hold a place in many small folks hearts. However, in modern times many Halfling folk have begun to worship Billy Bob, the Potato Lord. This has caused controversy throughout the village, and many fierce debates have taken place about Billy, calling him a false prophet. Many Halflings still not hold religious values, while it is true they worship many gods they do not play a role in the lives of Halflings, instead they hold family values over religious ones. As such, family and community plays a larger role in Halfling life. They hold these core values of friendship and good will higher than that of gods and idols, a belief that is reflected in their culture through festivals.
Traditions
Halflings keep many traditions sacred to them, practicing what their parents and grandparents had been doing for centuries. Although they are not well known for their traditions the Halflings have countless ones that seem strange to those who are unfamiliar with their culture.
Locks
Curious as it is the Halflings place large emphasis on community, refusing to lock the doors to their burrows and chests. As they say, "what's mine is yours!" Even in the face of burglary and Orcs the Halflings have refused to break this tradition and instead opt to hide their valuables behind walls and floorboards.
Marriage
Halfling courtship and marriage are similar to that of the human race, but it also has a few differences. Here are some specifications.
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When a halfling finds someone attractive, they will usually approach the other, eventually asking them to go on a date of some sort. They might go to any location (the pub, a nice picnic, etc). On this "date," the two will get to know each other better. The halflings might find that they enjoy the others company, in which they will go on another "date." Or, they might find that they dislike the other, in which they will head off in search of a new person.
Barring that there are any mishaps, fights, or loss of interest, the two halflings will eventually fall in love, and start to get on a more personal level. After an even longer time, the halfling's love might become so strong that they feel they can spend the rest of their lives together. If so, the male halfling will offer the female halfling an item of significant importance, and ask for her to marry, and spend the rest their lives together. If the female accepts the two will begin preparations for a wedding (It is very rare for a pair of halflings not to have the wedding ceremony, but in a few cases halflings have skipped in altogether).
These ceremonies will be held (normally) in an outside area, as most halfling communities have no large church or building to hold it in. These weddings will have large amounts of people (nearly the whole town, for halflings like to party), food and drinks. Once the initial party is over, the weddings begin. In these, the betrothed stand close to each other with an Elder in the middle. The two wear fine clothes as do the rest of the onlookers. Rings are then brought out by a first man and lady. The husband's is often inlaid with refined lapis and the wife's is inlaid with a diamond. The two exchange rings then their vows are read by one of the Elders. The two seal their vows by drinking some of the towns finest vintage wine from the same cup. A toast is then raised by the onlooking crowd for the well-being of the relationship.
The party then resumes with traditional halfling jigs and other dances, carrying off late into the night. After the couple is happily married they will indulge on a search for a home they can live in together (note, they skip the honeymoon as halflings don't like to travel as much as other races). The couple will then raise a family and resume their happy halfling lives together.
Villages
Reedsborough
Much as Willow Hollow, Reedsborough in Axios was secluded and ran on a similar community system as before. This town was behind Sutica on the isle of Ceru and was responsible for this particular isle's rich produce.
The Halflings faced many great dangers: necromancers, bears, and Orcs. Despite this, life remained peaceful and the Halflings were often spotted standing outside of the tavern, eager to start a conversation and share a drink with visitors and friends.
Dunshire
Tucked away within The Cloud Temple lands, Dunshire in Atlas was formed after the halflings left the village of Fernswood in order to live in the countryside again. After having moved around too much in Axios for their wee minds to handle, the halflings of Dunshire sought to live a peaceful and stable life in their new home.
Brandybrook
Located right next to Aegrothond, Brandybrook is the main halfling settlement in Arcas. Its known for its docks along the nearby river as well as its excellent farm produce. While the village may be smaller than previous villages, they halflings make up for this by cramming every space available with as much as possible! It is a cozy village indeed!
Random Tidbits
- Halflings are really cool, they are one of the only races to have two racial professions!
- For help on creating a Halfling character please check out the megathread!
- For help with Halfling names, click here
- For another guide on how to create and roleplay a Halfling click here
- There use to be a mayor in the village, but Larry Shortoak was responsible for changing it to only three elders!
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