Species Name: Hauflin, Halflin, Halfling, Hin
Halfling is another name for J. R. R. Tolkien's Hobbit and is a fictional race sometimes found in fantasy novels and games. In many settings they are similar to humans except about half the size. Dungeons & Dragons began using the name Halfling as an alternative to Hobbit for legal reasons. Originally "Halflin" was the Scots word Hauflin pre-dating The Hobbit and Dungeons & Dragons. It meant an awkward rustic teenager who is neither man nor boy and so half of both. Another word for Halflin is hobbledehoy or hobby. The word Halfling was used by Shakespeare to mean a boy sized man. Some fantasy stories use Halfling to describe a person born of a human parent and a parent of another race, often a human female and an elf. In other stories "Halfling" has been a generic term for beings such as fairies, trolls and ogres who are composed of both magical and earthly substances.
Hauflin also known as Hin amongst themselves are humanoid creatures similar in shape to humans who Halflings call the "Big Folk" but around half the size. Hauflin get along well with most of the other races and are known for their curiosity and tendency to collect things. Hauflin are small in comparison with the members of most other races, standing between 3'10" and 4'2" tall and weighing on average between 75 and 85 lbs. Although Hauflin have an affinity for collecting valuables, they do not prefer to wear these on their person, instead preferring more comfortable clothing. Hauflin have lifespans comparable with but slightly longer than humans. A Hauflin is typically considered an adult in their early twenties and some live into their 150s. Hauflin are fairly sharp-eyed and they can see out to double normal ranges in all lighting conditions. Finally Hauflin are highly resistant to magic and poison of all types.
Hauflin are quick and dexterous humanoids even given their size with quick reflexes and an ability to recover easily from sudden danger. Hauflin who by large have a strong force of personality are also intensely courageous and are more likely to retain their valour then most other humanoids even when under the effects of a spell or other power. Beyond this Hauflin have what can be best described as a lucky streak and have an ability known as second chance that makes it less likely for them to be injured in perilous circumstances. Hauflin are incapable of wielding larger weapons like greatswords or halberds.
The small size of the Halfling has proven to be a lifesaver on more than one occasion. They can investigate dens, caverns and burrows where humans, elves, and dwarves would be fatally constricted by space.
Type: Humanoid
Physical Traits: Short
Height: 3 - 4.5 ft
Weight: 50 - 70 lbs
Abilities: Nightvision equal to normal sight
Mobility: Legs
Sensory Organs: Visual
Communication: Vocal
Reproduction: Sexual
INT: 3D6, WIS: 3D6, STR: 2D6, DEX: 4D6, CON: 4D6, CHA: 3D6, MR: 2D6, HPs: CON +D8
Orbit/Climate: See Earth
Feeding Habits: Omnivore
Lifespan: 160 years
Technology: 2
Culture: Standard. Diversified mix of kind and evil people. Hauflin are by nature joyful and friendly in their dealings with others. Because they live in a world where they are surrounded by larger creatures Hauflin tend to avoid notice often deliberately or at the very least act cordial towards the larger races. Hauflin appear deceptively harmless, meaning they are often beyond the notice of enemies that might otherwise pose a threat to them. The Hauflin mind is practical and concern themselves with their immediate surroundings and take pleasure in simple things, with few aspiring to greatness in the same manner as humans. Some Hauflin do become adventurers but usually this is a practice taken up for reasons of necessity rather than personal drive. Because of this love for home and family Hauflin make loyal and courageous allies, willing to put their own lives at risk for the sake of others. While many Hauflin do not have the ambition for adventure that some races do most prefer trouble to boredom and the race is notoriously curious. Hauflin are courageous, moreso than many races and their daring is often difficult to match. Many Hauflin also have a strong appetite for food and drink as well as narcotics and clothing. Similarly many Hauflin are enthusiastic collectors and love to hold on to possessions won through skill and daring.
Typically
Hauflin faces bear the intense, bright-eyed inquisitiveness
of children. Happy
Hauflin grin madly; sad
Hauflin wear an intractable
pout. When throwing taunts
Hauflin look impish and shout in an
incredibly grating tone. Their emotional intensity is infectious. In
their countless pouches, pockets, and belt packs,
Hauflin carry a
wide assortment of junk. They have a tendency to "borrow" objects with a habit of finding things that
have dropped into their pouches by accident, picking things up in the streets,
finding "junk", and generally getting things that belong to other people.
Hauflin are also masters at the art of
insulting people using a wide repertoire of taunts, sarcasm, outright rudeness,
and insults thanks to the shocking insights into a person's character flaws
gained from the
Hauflin's intense curiosity. They use this ability to taunt creatures, causing
them to become irrational and attack wildly or fall into some kind of trap.
Hauflin communities are tightly-knit groups found around the world, usually near the settlements of other races. Most Hauflin don't recognize the claims of kings or nobles as sovereign rulers but instead look primarily to their family elders to guide them. This focus on bloodlines has enabled Hauflin traditions to continue for millennia relatively intact. Hauflin culture has a fondness for stories and legends and is rich in the oral tradition. So much care is put into the retelling of traditional stories and their preservation that Hauflin often unwittingly have access to lore about ancient and long gone cultures or empires that others have long since forgotten about. Many Hauflin are able to recall some detail of the ancient past, though it is usually wrapped in the shrouds of legends.
Also, because of their proclivity for entertaining gossip and news of all kinds, Halflings make great storytellers. Some of them have a gift for music, and halfling musicians and storytellers are in great demand at any village feast or festival. Halflings are ill suited for jobs requiring size and strength such as blacksmithing, ocean sailing, or cargo hauling. Barter is a way of life to the Halfling though in more cases than not it is the unspoken, unrecorded barter of village life. The small folk love to tell and hear stories and will generally be attentive and silent when anyone spins a tale. Not surprisingly they especially love stories in which the small and clever triumph over those who are physically larger and stronger but clumsier and less quick witted. Halflings also have a frank appreciation for bawdy humor and practical jokes. They have the ability to laugh at themselves, though one prank often leads to another in retaliation, and so on. Such good-natured exchanges have been known to continue, reciprocated back and forth, for decade after decade.
Government: Council
Population: 7,000,000