There is currently a great debate over the exact nature of halflings as presented in Source Documentation.  There is a suggestion that only barefoot and plump halflings are proper, while a number of other sources depict lean, nomadic and even shod halflings.  It is the stand of this study that all such depictions are accurate.  Let us look at the assumptions:

Assumption One: Halflings look like men, only shorter. Essentially any race of human looking individuals under three and a half feet in height, but over two feet, is a halfling, regardless of the name.  This excludes Gnomes, who are distinguished by several non-human attribues, exaggerated facial features and disproportionate limbs.  Most source documents support this theory, as halfling races are always commented upon as 'looking like men' or 'looking like human children'.

Assumption Two: Halflings are native to areas that are not heavily populated by other intelligent species.  Typically these are temperate grasslands and lightly forested regions.  Some source documents point to an agrarian existance, others to a nomadic one.  They are comfortable in urban environments, but are not native to them as humans might be said to be.

Assumption Three: Halflings are not preyed upon by any wildlife, and in fact may possess some innate abilities to tame, or at least coexist with, predatory species.  Halflings, of all the races, are the only race that is depicted in source documents as riding animals that are capable of eating them. Caveat: At least one notable source document has goblins riding giant wolves, though those wolves were a fellow sentient species. Halflings do so with ordinary wolves.  Caveat Two: Some civilized races are reported as riding such fantastic beasts as gryphons or dragons, which are surely capable of consuming even larger humaniod species with ease. However, such behavior is more analomous than typical, and never performed outside of advanced magically developed societies. Primative cultures that attempt such feats usually wind up being consumed by their mounts.  Again, Halflings seem to be exempt from this regarding their various predatory mounts.

Assumption Four: Halflings have a gift or knack for being overlooked, which may account for their racial tendency to live peacefully in even wartorn lands.  This is a key point of discussion, as a race that is commonly depicted as theives, and is visually distinct, they seem to suffer no undue suspicion or difficulty when they chose to commit theft.  

Assumption Five: Halflings of various sorts have typically be demonstrated to have an unusual ability to resist coercion, enchantment or fear. This does not seem universally supported, yet persists across a wide spectrum.  While halflings rarely go to war, and never as a race, their fearsomeness on the battlefield is notable, as is their persistance in the face of any foe, no matter how terrible.

Assumption Six: Halflings do not maintain large herds, despite having large communities with the concomitant need for large numbers of animals for food and clothing materials.  This makes for an interesting situation, as large, tightly knit communities simply can not be supported without significant presence of large agricultural and herd based infrastructure. This is doubly true if the community in question maintains domesticated carnivorous mounts. Such animals would perforce consume more meat per day than their riders.  We know halflings are not herbivorous, nor are they 'anti-agricultural', as they have been know in some sources as masterful vintners and farmers.

Assumption Seven: Halflings are known to enjoy creature comforts, be they large meals, a good smoke, fine wines. To call them gourmands is to exaggerate, as while a halfling may enjoy finer things, no evidence is presented that suggests that they are discontent with ordinary fare in any way. A halfling does not turn up his nose at the offer of a smoke because the pipe is not to his liking, and no records of halflings complaining about the quality of a meal exist.  

The end result of all these assumptions is quite clear.  Halflings are one of the Young Races, rising some time in the recent past, alongside human communities. There is a suggestion from some quarters that halflings are a branch of the human tree, but given the utter lack of cross breeding or hybridization, we must assume that their appearence is merely coincidental... perhaps the Gods follow a template when molding a species, who can say. Speculative biology, however, is not the purpose of our study.

What we can say, with some authority is that halflings exist comfortably in their environment. Unlike other species, halflings do not appear to adapt to their environment, but simply only live where they can be comfortable.  We can suggest that their small size assists in this, as smaller races consume less. It is also suggestable that halflings may possess a slower than average metabolism for their size, reducing their food needs considerably.  While we would not go so far as to suggest that they are herbevorious, it is entirely likely that halflings can subsist on a wider variety of grasses and grains than most intelligent speices.  

However, we are going to go a step in the other direction. It seems very likely that halflings are capable of existing in a symbiotic relationship with much more effective predatory species.  It seems likely that the halflings do not herd in large numbers because they do not have to! Instead, for static communities, those halflings charged with hunting do so with the assistance of a large pack, or packs, of some predatory species to bring down sufficent game to feed a the entire community.   Combine this with the well noted ability of halflings to bring down small game creatures as rabbits or fowl by use of sling stones, and you have a self sufficent community.

In this theory, halflings are actually more prone to consumption of rich protein sources, meat in other words, and a calorically dense high protein, high fat diet is optimal for the species.

Regardless, halflings have existed for millenia in a sort of pastoral existance, unthreatened by their environment or by other races.  They exist where other species would struggle, even thrive there.

Naturally it is difficult to rouse halflings to participate on the world's stage. Ironically, the greatest number of halflings 'wandering' about are likely to be those who either suffer wanderlust or have been cast out for crimes against the community. Theft, for example.  

On the topic of theft, it is important to note that halflings tend to live fairly long lives, more than a human but less than a dwarf, falling in between the two, and tend to accumulate a fair amount of low value items in the interim. Nomadic halflings, compared to other nomadic cultures, tend to use wagons and caravans rather than simply riding from campsite to campsite, though would perforce have fewer possessions than sedentary halflings.  As there is little need in the community, a fair amount of 'kleptomaniacal' behavior is common, even endemic. However, removal of cherished or necessary items is deeply frowned upon.  You may steal a farmer's crops, but not his tools in other words.  

Beyond all else, halflings tend to prefer peace and quiet, and thus their culture tends to ostrasize those that disrupt it unduly. This is not to suggest that they are adverse to the pranks and pecadillos of the young and generally unruly. Far from it, as most 'merry pranksters' tend to provide far more amusement than resentment.  It is the more malicious or thuggish, or outright selfish behavior that gets condemned.

The more interesting phenomenon than what Halflings tolerate or do not, however, is the crusader mentality. Halflings often exist in an idyllic state, unaware of how other beings live. Often a Halfling will be exposed somehow to the state of the world outside and grow incensed by the injustice he percieves. Having a great deal of idle time and comfort, such halflings often spend days in contemplation, apparently growing more agitated, even guilty about their own comforts, and set their mind to doing 'something about it'... whaever 'It' may be.  Such halflings almost universally give up the comforts of their community and set out to do good in the world.

Having given up their comfortable existance there is very little that can deter them from their purpose. They lack ambition, they lack greed, they even lack the fear of loss, having already sacrificed everything for their cause. It is no supernatural resistance, but ordinary psychology.  Such halflings may be compared to fanatics, though this may be to insult such noble hearted crusaders.

To return to the topic at hand, that is to say Halfling Culture, we should address both familial structure and cultural organization.  Halflings typically form into extended clan networks, not unlike Dwarves actually. However, unlike Dwarves, most halfling Clans are strictly evolutions of the tribal culture that preceeded the clan structure. While halflings do use geographical groupings, they do so to create further structure within the clan itself. The result is that you have geographically isolated members of the same clan and family that eventually become a new family with the same name. Marraige is arranged by the families within the clan, and no single family or member has prominance over the entire clan. Marriages between clans are common, but not predominant.  Marriage within a single family is taboo, though geographic offshoots do occasionally remarry into their progenitor family.

Halflings have very little 'governance' in their communities. Crisises are met with either individual action or town hall style meetings, where the oldest or most respected individuals must compete with the loudest to sway a general concensus.  Aside from the social aspect of the Town Hall meetings, most halflings prefer to handle things themselves, be it rounding up a group of fellow wolfriders to go out and handle maurading goblins, to laying paving stones outside his shop or home to continue a walkway.  As can be imagined, the Halfling economy is based entirely on barter, and coin from other races is of limited value to many halflings other than a curiosity or knickknack.  On the other hand, a halfling with half a mind to do so can become quite conventionally wealthy prior to leaving his town simply by collecting up whatever loose coin is floating around.

Halflings set a great stock on both social and private activies. A meal shared is very different than a meal eaten alone, and both have certain ritual value. Some things, like the ubiquitus pipe smoking, are almost exclusively social activities. Even when done alone, it is to be done in a public space so as to leave an open invitation to join in to passersby.  On the other hand, anything done in private is not to be discussed at all. For example, marital relationships are never gossipped about, even by daring wags.  Intrusion into a halflings home by force is considered a serious thing indeed, akin to rape in human cultures, and it is suspected that many halfling outcasts violated this taboo out of nothing so exotic as basic curiousity.

There is a history of some enemity, though comparatively recent, between halflings and the similar sized goblins. It would seem to be largely one sided, as Halflings seem willing to share a pipe or meal with anyone. Given the absolute opposites of their respective cultures it is inevitable that the Goblins would percieve some terrible insult from the Halflings relative wealth.  Ironically, it would appear that the Halflings have little to worry about, as their preferred homelands are comparatively hostile to Gobliniods, being both resources scarce, largely open to the sun, and offering little in the way of comfort to the Goblins in question.

Spike, I don't have much in the way of critique, but allow me to say how much I genuinely enjoy your "Culture of..." articles.  Neat, neat stuff!

!i!

Quote from: Ian AbsentiaSpike, I don't have much in the way of critique, but allow me to say how much I genuinely enjoy your "Culture of..." articles.  Neat, neat stuff!

!i!

Thanks, Ian. I have to admit this one was harder than most to do for any number of reasons.  A deep insight into a pastoral idyllic race? What is any poor researcher to do? Simply discuss pipes?  Gah!  Even the relatively anonymous Orcs and Goblins provided more hard information to work with!

Use the force, Luke....

Well done! I think you touched on just about every form or halfling race there has ever been! I could even tell apart the traits relegated to individual breeds like Kender and Hobbit, Bravo!!!

All of these were a lot of fun to write, though some were easier than others to actually process. I seem to recall some minor struggles with the Halflings, which is why they were one of the later races to be dealt with.

Quote from: Spike;47135Thanks, Ian. I have to admit this one was harder than most to do for any number of reasons.  A deep insight into a pastoral idyllic race? What is any poor researcher to do? Simply discuss pipes?

That would have been the way to go, yes.

RPGPundit

Quote from: Spike;47135Thanks, Ian. I have to admit this one was harder than most to do for any number of reasons.  A deep insight into a pastoral idyllic race? What is any poor researcher to do? Simply discuss pipes?  Gah!  Even the relatively anonymous Orcs and Goblins provided more hard information to work with!

I too wrestled with the Halflings. This is what I came up with.
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Halflings
Halfling were breed by the Demons as agricultural slaves. It was felt their small statue would require them to eat less food and increase the crop surplus they produced. However the Demons did not count on their ability to easily hide and elude searchers. Many escaped the latifundias of the Demons and joined the revolt. After the wars they began to farm cleared lands next to larger realms and traded their surplus for goods made by the Elves and Dwarves.

    * Halflings are long lived and have double the lifespan of Man.
    * Halflings are +2 to Dexterity
    * Halfling automatically gain Stealth at Skill Level 1.
    * Halflings gain +4 to any Stealth task.
    * Halfling are of small stature. Armor cost half.
    * The following are considered two handed weapons for Halflings: Battle Axe, Club, War Hammer, Heavy Mace, Long Sword, Staff.
    * The following are considered one handed weapons: Dagger, Light Mace, Short Sword, Hand Axe.
    * The following Missile weapons can be used. Hand Axe, Short Bow, Light Crossbow, Dart, Sling.

Halfling Culture
In most aspects Halflings are similar to bigger cousins the humans. However their small size has left them with a marked disadvantage dealing with the monsters haunting the Wilderlands. This in combination with their initial training as farmers has caused Halflings to be far more cooperative with each other compared to normal human. They know if they fight among themselves they will be prey for the larger and nastier creatures and races around them.

A legacy of their origins is their interest in Agriculture. Like many of the other races created by the Demon Lords they continued their vocation for the revolt. Growing the food needed to feed the armies of the revolt. When victory came they continued this tradition their lands becoming the breadbaskets feeding the other demi-human realms.

The Halflings are also the greatest allies of the elves in prompting harmony among the races. They take a leading role in the Rangers and other organizations that reach across the boundaries that separate the races. They view that should the various alliances fail then their own lands will open to bandits and worse.

These views have opened a darker side of the Halfling race. They take pride their unbroken history of cooperation among themselves and view the troubles that afflict other races with contempt and condescending. In private talks between the elders they blame the elves for whole mess in the first place as they couldn't maintain cooperation among themselves resulting in the Dark Elves becoming Demons.

Since the Halfling race lacks the physical strength and are no more gifted magically than any other race to force the issue the only means they have is manipulation and guile. They will plant rumors, lie, and steal to nullify any threat to their race. Their ideal is to transform a situation into one of mutual cooperation. But they will do what takes to nullify the threat if that can't be achieved.

Quote from: RPGPundit;342456That would have been the way to go, yes.

RPGPundit

See, I would have horribly screwed that up as I know very little about pipes. Now... if we were talking foo-foo coffee? I'd be set.

estar: That's pretty cool. These cultural studies were meant to be divorced from setting or rules, but in the setting I wound up building from them I wound up with the Dwarves as the 'bred laborers' for the Titans and the Elves led the result. The Halflings either avoided being enslaved entirely or appeared on the scene after, no one is really sure which.

I hereby issue a challenge to the RPGPundit!:  Tell us about halfling pipes and their smoking culture!

Spike,
   Excellent stuff and about 99% of how I view Halflings as well.  

I don't have the wolf riding, but do have Halfings as the domesticators of dogs.  Halflings in my campaigns are almost always found in association with humans.  As an extra, my own Halfings like to practice something of a reverse stealing game.  Instead of stealing something, the idea is when visiting to leave in someones home a worthless trinket or such, it must be left in fairly plain sight.  You lose if the host gives it back to you before you leave.  You win (bragging rights) if when you next visit it is still there; by saying something like "I think I left my old pipe here last time. Oh there it is up on the mantel."

I can totally see that working too, anything to give them an excuse to socialize more often, to get invited into another's home to see what's new.

I see it more as a local cultural bit rather than a core element of halfling existance, and certainly it wouldn't always be a 'game'. Visit someone and leave an item in their care, or hide it as a game... either way, you've got a reason to come back and smoke a bowl with them, or share a meal or just swap stories/gossip/whathaveyou.