Halflings

Halflings are the youngest race--the first record of a halfling race dates only to about 600 years pre-Cataclysm. It is believed that they diverged from humanity due to the chaotic magical energies being used in the Fall of the Western Empire about that time. Later research discovered that they were descended from goblins who were mutated by those magical energies. Unlike elves, their sub-populations are eusocial as opposed to truly genetic. Halflings are only commonly found in the Sea of Grass, where they were a majority of the pre-Cataclysm population. A very few are found in the northern Jungle of Fangs, where they have founded savage, wild tribes.

Halflings are (comparatively) short-lived and fast-breeding. A genetic quirk in the surviving halfling population after the Cataclysm War led to a population that is severely gender-skewed. About 60% of all halflings are female, with 40% male. Infertility is a pervasive problem among the women, but the fertile halflings make up for it by having short gestations and a tendency toward multiple births (triplets are the mode). Children are raised as a group by multiple women. Male halflings are sent to other family groupings at maturity. Halflings mature early (considered adult at 10) and only live about 60 years. Halfling society is strongly matriarchal with the oldest woman of each family grouping being the Mother (leader) of the group.

Physically, halflings average 3'6" with the Stout subgroup nearing 4'0" on average. Males are usually shorter and smaller than females. Halflings do not grow beards or facial hair (usually), and their hair is almost always short and tends to stick up. Their ears are slightly pointed and they have pronounced canines. Their eyes have a reflective undercoat like felines.

Socially, halflings are notable for their total lack of fear when facing threats. Since there are always more, there is little care if members of the family are sacrificed for the rest. In times of starvation, cannibalism is not unusual nor is it morally suspect.

The infertile females (called Kliba) form the warrior caste and tend toward the Stout variety. They also are the heavy crafters. The fertile females consider them second-class citizens. Males are considered good for not much except making babies and light house-work. Some families treat them almost like pets. Others are more open-minded. It is rare for a traditional male halfling to interact much with non-halflings.

Halflings tend toward the agricultural life, living in large extended family groups on farms and in the smaller villages. There is not a central halfling racial government. Feuds between families are frequent (including blood-shed), but tend to be short-lived.

Religiously, halflings most commonly worship Loran Hae and Peor-fala (who is said to have been a halfling before her ascension to godhood). Halflings tend toward the divine much more than toward the arcane--halfling wizards are very uncommon, and many of the more bigoted members of other races consider them to be incapable of such complex thought. They don't say this to their faces, as halflings often have quite a volcanic temper.

Naming

Names of halflings are heavily family-based and follow the pattern <Family> <Branch> <Given>. A family might consist of multiple branches spread over a large area--the branch name distinguishes these parts.

Family and branch names are usually places or phrases associated with farming. Given names are similar to Council Lands human names. Kliba use that as their branch name.

Architecture

The two main areas where halflings live are the Sea of Grass and the northern areas of the Jungle of Fangs. The latter halflings are tribal and live in huts and villages. The former halflings (of the wall-builder culture) have developed a unique style of architecture, especially in the rural areas. Each branch lives in one or more compounds, with two or three matriarchs and associated males and kliba in each compound. These walled compounds often cluster together, facing a common green. At the back are farmlands, pasturage, and orchards. Connecting the compound to the outside is the Big House--a full-height guest house for tall-folk visitors. Access to the main house is through a small, heavily fortified tunnel. Houses are partially buried under ground, usually with only the top floor and the upper 2-3 feet of the ground floor above ground. Windows are minimal.

The ceilings in halfling compounds tend to be low, often only 5'6". The walls are generally packed earth mixed with straw and other materials. The scarce wood is reserved for roof timbers and interior walls; roofs are thatched. Buildings are curved, with very few hard angles. They generally grow organically, starting with the main oval greatroom; walls get knocked out and new oval rooms get added. Generally, matriarchs each have a private room, while males sleep with a matriarch or more rarely have a room of their own. The furniture is light and movable--each room serves many purposes. Privacy is minimal, especially with dozens of kids underfoot. Kliba and any hired workers live in a separate out-building along with the large kitchens and storage areas. Underground cellars underlie the main house.

Ground floor of typical halfling compound

Second floor of typical halfling compound