Stoutheart Halfling

*"A stoutheart never runs in the face of danger. He stands his ground for County and family."- Pimmin Bighare, stoutheart halfling field warden, to the new recruits.*

*"Can't tell the different between stouthearts and hairyfoots. I just nod politely."- Gus, human farmer.*

*"So the dragon is glowering down at us, and we're all cowering, wetting ourselves but Thamna doesn't seem affected. She skitters across the way, and pulls the lever. The gate comes down and bam, we're saved. Bravest thing I ever saw."- Badger, shifter ranger, on his adventuring career.*

## Physical Description:

There is no obvious physical difference between a hairyfoot and a stoutheart halfling, at least none that is obvious to non-halflings. To the halfling there is a dozen or so. The thickness of the torso (which is partially where the name Stoutheart comes from), the slant in the shoulders, the ever so subtly rounder ears, the shorter stature, and so on. Stouthearts dress in rugged, homestyle clothing that stands up well to the rigors of outdoor life. Despite the fact that "hairyfoot" is the general moniker given to the most common breed of halfling, stouthearts do in fact have hairy feet as well.

## History:

When king Radovid awarded the hairyfoot halflings with The County it fundamentally altered the nature of the halflings as a race. While the vast majority continued to wander in their wagons as they had always done, now there was a permanent place for halflings to call home. Many chose to stay there. While the population of this community was mostly hairyfoots at first, some began to subtly change to reflect their new lifestyle as homesteaders. These "stout young 'lings" as one unfortunate would be robber dubbed them, soon proved a bedrock and backbone of The County. Other halfling villages and districts would benefit from the birth of the new stouthearts. Unlike the hairyfoots, most stouthearts are content to stay home, with staff and sling and ram, protecting their lands from intruders and big folk who would desire to do them harm. As a result, they have no great epics and have left little mark on Apia's political landscape, but they are happy and their communities are safe. Really, that's all that matters to them.

## Geography:

Stouthearts are mostly located in The County but other halfling towns and districts tend to have a large population of stouthearts, serving as the protectors of those communities.

## Personality:

Stouthearts are proud traditionalists (by halfling standards) and the self-appointed guardians of their towns. Brave and loyal, stouthearts are known for their overwhelming resilience in the face of fear and famine. Like all halflings, they share a love of nature, growing things, smoking, drinking and eating with gusto. Unlike the hairyfoots, stouthearts feel little compulsion to travel and instead happily put down roots. They are consummate gardeners and farmers, tending to crops that are the envy of even other halflings. Stouthearts love a good competition and are quick to accept any challenge and boast about the results. They are a proud people, and will not let larger folk discourage them from speaking their minds. In battle, stouthearts are unafraid, more willing to mix it up in close quarters, though they'll happily use a sling or bow if the opportunity presents itself.

## Society:

Stoutheart society is very much like hairyfoot society. Elected leaders spend their terms giving advice on matters and settling disputes among their halfling countrymen. However, this is a slightly more difficult role, as Stouthearts tend to be a passionate, argumentative lot and their debates are more heated than hairyfoot's. Additionally, the halfling militias are full of stouthearts, ready to put their bravery to the test. Many have a natural affinity with the dogs, rams and war turkeys that make up halfling cavalry and so stouthearts often serve as outriders and scouts, sweeping for the halfling forces as they advance. They are also many of the farmers and builders within larger halfling society as is befitting their nature.

## Religion:

The Stouthearts revere Yondalla in that same manner that all halflings do. "Dear Aunt Yondalla," prayers are often uttered by stouthearts before charging into battle to defend their homelands. Dallah Thaun is also a patron of these halflings as most stouthearts are willing to do whatever it take to defend their homes.

## Alignment:

Like most halflings, stouthearts are neutral good. They are positive forces in the world around them, or at least try to be, holding no malice towards anyone. While they aren't a purely lawful society they have too many traditions for utter anarchy and thus find themselves in the middle.

## Relations:

Stouthearts are friendly with everyone and bare no grudges against any people. They will fight viciously to protect their homes however and show little mercy to invaders.

## Names:

Stouthearts have names similar enough to hairyfoot halflings that you can use those names without concern.

## Adventurers:

While stouthearts are less likely to be found wandering, they are still halflings at heart and many a young halfling sets out to find fortune and fame, using their natural resistance to fear to their advantage in dark places where adventurers dare to tread.

## Traits:

Stoutheart stats are identical to the halfling stats found in the player's handbook with the following exceptions...

1 Bonus feat. This replaces the ability score changes. Stouthearts are quick studies and learn many different skills.

+8 Morale bonus against fear saving throws. This is instead of the +2 bonus against fear and the +2 bonus to climb, jump and move silently. Stouthearts are not as nimble as hairyfoots but they have a resistance to fear that borders on immunity.