Greetings!
Have you developed different societies and cultures of Halflings in your campaigns? How have your players responded to such distinctly different Halflings?
Certainly, Tolkien brought the fantastic Halflings to the fore in The Lord of The Rings, and of course, The Hobbit. Tolkien's Halflings were partially "fantastic" but more or less grounded in being rustic, mundane, and distinctively ordinary. Through the years, such Halflings have been ubiquitous standards in D&D and many other RPG's. I have read over the years that many people *hate* Halflings, and are bored silly from such Halflings, firmly rooted in the medieval English culture.
While seemingly fantastic and mythological, being deeply connected to English culture, but also having echoes in other European cultures, there are real-world examples of Halflings existing, both in the past and to the present day. For example, I was amazed to learn in college, that one of my Anthropology professors spent years living with Pygmies in Africa. Pygmy tribes still exist to this day. Photographs showed my Anthropology professor surrounded by adult Pygmies--all of which, male and female alike, stood no higher than his waist. They were all three to four feet high. Unlike standard "Halflings"--of course, they were typically slim and graceful in build, having very dark black skin, and dark brown eyes, with characteristic tightly curled and short black hair. The Pygmies lived in a tribal culture, living in small, rural villages where they remain largely hunters and gatherers, as well as engaging in pastoral herding and light agriculture.
Then, modern archeologists have also confirmed that there were cultures of "Halflings" that lived in south-east Asia, on some tropical islands, and perhaps along the coasts. Skeletons of such Halflings have been proven to be from three to four feet in height, consistently throughout the population.
Interesting stuff!:D
In my World of Thandor, I have developed several different cultures of Halflings. I have one Halfling culture where the Halflings have light yellow skin, black hair and dark brown eyes. They live in barbarian tribes scattered throughout some regional coasts and islands. They wear vividly coloured clothing, beads, and have tattoos. These tribal Halflings are violent, warlike, and cannibalistic. They make frequent use of poisons, use shortbows, spears, and machetes, as well as hand axes, darts, and nets. They practice slavery, and human sacrifice. The barbarian tribes of Halflings have also developed traditions of boat-building, and crafting of canoes. The tribal Halflings frequently make sea-going attacks and raids on neighboring peoples and tribes.
I have another Halfling culture which exists in a coastal region of hills and jungles, as well as rice plantations and various woodlands and agricultural crops. These Halflings embrace more advanced agriculture, and have fortified villages and towns, and have developed small kingdoms. These agricultural Halflings have dark brown skin, dark brown eyes, and black hair. They have a well-developed religion, featuring stone temples, and a class of revered priests and priestesses. These Halflings ride miniature Elephants, and have fairly sophisticated armour, weaponry, and metal-working skills. The coastal highland Halflings have a sophisticated economy, and trade extensively with neighboring peoples. These town-dwelling Halflings also have distinctive forms of art, and have developed their own kinds of pottery styles, as well as a variety of costumes and styles of clothing.
In a different region of the world, I have a tribal society of Halflings that have pale white skin, blue or green eyes, and blonde or brown hair typically. These Halflings live in dense forests, as well as hills and marshes. They have small fortified villages and practice pastoral herding, hunting and gathering, and fishing. They also embrace some light agriculture. They are tribal, and led by chieftains. Such Halflings are somewhat reclusive, they embrace trade, though they are defensive in demeanor, and seek to avoid warfare with others. They are also led by shamans, and practice an ancient nature-based religion and embrace various mystical traditions.
I think that there is plenty of "room" to develop different cultures of Halflings, inspired also by real-world history.
Semper Fidelis,
SHARK