Halflings are small humanoids renowned simultaneously for their simple agrarian lifestyle and their incredible bravery in the face of danger.
Appearance[]
Halflings resemble humans in many respects, though true to their name, they are only half the height, standing around 3 feet tall, and they typically weigh 40 to 45 pounds.[5] Some halflings have pointed ears, though not all do.[citation needed] Their skin tones are akin to humans, as is their hair,[6][7][8][9] though it tends to be wavy.[5]
Society[]
Tal'Dorei[]
Halflings dwell all across the Dividing Plains of Tal'Dorei, and in the Mornset Countryside.[2]
Wildemount[]
Fan art of Veth and Yeza Brenatto, by Stephanie Brown.[art 2]
Halflings can be found in significant number all across the Dwendalian Empire and the Menagerie Coast, to the point that accommodations are often made for their stature.[4] The largest population of halflings is the town of Felderwin, originally founded by the Felder clan. Because of Felderwin's role as the Empire's breadbasket, halflings are closely associated with the simple, rural lifestyle. While halflings are nearly nonexistent within the Kryn Dynasty, a small population of halflings do make their home within Xhorhas. In the village of Charis nestled within the Lotusden Greenwood, these reclusive halflings live in harmony with nature, as well as the many dragonborn refugees from the ruins of Draconia.[4]
History[]
Some speculate that Avandra was responsible for the creation of the halflings.[4] According to another creation myth, The Allhammer accidentally created halflings when, after he sculpted the first dwarves, a little bit of remaining clay slipped from his hands and took the shape of the first halflings.[10]
Official art of a human, a Lightfoot halfling, and a stout halfling, by Biagio D'Alessandro from Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 24.[art 3]
The historical records of the Cobalt Soul assert that halflings along with Tal'Dorei's first humans journeyed from Issylra across the Ozmit Sea, colonizing the new land in peaceful harmony.[10]
During the Scattered War, the halflings of Tal'Dorei were divided: the Lightfoot Clan wished to remain neutral, while the Stoutheart Clan wanted to join the fight against the Kingdom of Drassig as they encroached on their lands. Following the War, these clans dissolved, and many halflings began to move into the human settlements that appeared across the plains. Others moved south to the Mornset Countryside and began a new existence there.[2]
Powers, abilities, and subraces[]
A halfling's nimbleness is one of their greatest assets, allowing them to dart between the legs of the taller folk to give them an edge in a fight. Halflings are renowned for their staunch bravery, as well as their considerable luck.[5] The halflings of Exandria are not separated into "subraces" but rather into identities based around clans, even after those clans cease to exist.[11][4]
Official art of a Stoutheart halfling and a Lightfoot halfling, by Azraelion from Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, p. 160.[art 4]
Lightfoot halflings[]
Halflings who identify with the old Lightfoot Clan are caught between a selfish desire to avoid conflict and the urge to explore.[12] They are the most charismatic of their kind, and have a knack for hiding, even behind other creatures.[13]
Stoutheart halflings[]
Halflings with the spirit of the old Stoutheart Clan, sometimes simply described as stout, are brash and courageous.[2][12] They are the most robust of halflings, and are even able to resist poison better than others.[13]
Lotusden halflings[]
Halflings of the Lotusden use their wisdom to become in tune with nature, letting them easily pass through the underbrush of their home while leaving very little to trace. They also have a talent for druidic magics, able to do such small things as predict the weather or cause plants to bloom. More powerful Lotusdens can conjure plants from the ground to restrain their foes, and can magically cover the ground in razor-sharp thorns.[4]
Notable halflings[]
Campaign One: Vox Machina[]
NPCs[]
Fan art of Lady Kima of Vord, by Nadz Salvo.[art 5]
- Assum Emring: A Stoutheart ranger and spymaster for the Tal'Dorei Council.
- Lady Kima of Vord: Paladin of Bahamut and friend of Vox Machina.
- Ozwyn Gruude: Alchemist in the Arcana Pansophical whose request for white dragon parts led some of Vox Machina to Rimefang
- Spireling Fetch: Head of the Clasp's spy network in Westruun[14]
Between the campaigns of Vox Machina and the Mighty Nein[]
- Macaroni Samsonite: A wild cleric and member of the Darrington Brigade.
Campaign 2: The Mighty Nein[]
PCs[]
- Veth Brenatto: Arcane trickster and member of the Mighty Nein.
NPCs[]
- Yeza Brenatto: A skilled alchemist and the husband of Veth.
- Luc Brenatto: Son of Veth and Yeza.
- Otis Brunkel: A blood hunter affiliated with the Tombtakers.
- Expositor Sia Kresh: Secret, ruthless right hand to Yudala Fon in the Rexxentrum Archive of the Cobalt Soul[15]
- Dr. Waldorf Perifeather: Physician for the wealthy in parts of the Dwendalian Empire and Menagerie Coast, information broker for the Myriad[16]
Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn[]
- Blaine Kraverrogg: Half-halfling necromancer of the Remnants who does undercover work for the League of Miracles and hopes to tap the power of Orcus in the depths of the Shadebarrow[17]
Exandria Unlimited and Campaign Three[]
Official art of Orym, by Hannah Friederichs.[art 6]
PCs[]
- Orym: Battle Master fighter and member of the Air Ashari, the Crown Keepers, and the Bells Hells.
NPCs[]
- Alma: Orym's mother and member of the Air Ashari.
- Some members of the Volition looked like halflings or gnomes.[18]
Trivia[]
- A relatively common gesture that was part of halfling culture towards the end of the Calamity was to softly pinch someone as a way of showing approval, to indicate that the other person is doing the right thing.[19]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8
Halfling on D&D Beyond
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 24.
- ↑ See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 28.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 164.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 See D&D: Player's Handbook (2014), 5th ed., p. 26.
- ↑ Kima has a darker complexion for a (Tal'Dorei) halfling. See "Shopping and Shipping" (1x14) at 1:33:34. See also "Dalen's Closet" (Sx47) at 00:43:17 and "The Neverending Day" (2x125) at 01:22:20. Her hair is sometimes portrayed as light as "ashy dirty blonde"; see "The Sunken Tomb" (1x44) at 0:15:35 and an official illustration.
- ↑ Halflings from Marquet tend to have darker skin and hair than those from more northerly climes. See "The Streets of Ank'Harel" (1x65) at 2:28:39.
- ↑ Veth Brenatto has dark skin, long dark hair, and bushy eyebrows. See "In Love and War" (2x57) at 1:23:31.
- ↑ See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 24. The illustrated Lightfoot and stout halflings have light skin; one has red hair, one has black hair with a white streak. Similarly, in the later Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, on p. 160, the illustrated Stoutheart and Lightfoot halflings have light skin, and their hair colors are red and brown respectively. Meanwhile, in the Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, on p. 163, the illustrated Lotusden halfling has brown skin and dark, curly hair.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, p. 160.
- ↑ See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, pp. 160–161.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, p. 161.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 See D&D: Player's Handbook (2014), 5th ed., p. 28.
- ↑ See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 34.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 53.
- ↑ See Explorer's Guide to Wildemount, p. 46.
- ↑ See Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, p. 58.
- ↑ See "Seeking Sedition" (3x88) at 3:08:48.
- ↑ See "Seven of Them" (E4x02) at 3:54:23.
Art:
- ↑ Official art of a Lotusden halfling, by adragonswinging (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Fan art of Veth and Yeza Brenatto, by Stephanie Brown (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Official art of a human, a Lightfoot halfling, and a stout halfling, by Biagio D'Alessandro from Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, p. 24. This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.
- ↑ Official art of a Stoutheart halfling and a Lightfoot halfling, by Azraelion from Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn, p. 160. This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.
- ↑ Fan art of Lady Kima of Vord, by Nadz Salvo (source). Used with permission.
- ↑ Official art of Orym, by Hannah Friederichs (source). This file is a copyrighted work. Its use in this article is asserted to qualify as fair use of the material under United States copyright law.
External links[]
Halfling on D&D Beyond- Halfling on Wikipedia
- Halfling on The Forgotten Realms Wiki (note)
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