Halflings

**Halflfings** are short, bipedal humanoids who are somewhat related to dwarves, and are classefied as dwarvenkin. They are roughly the same height as dwarves, but weigh far less and have much less hair. They are more alike in apearance to humans or half elves, typically with plump or round facial features and larger, tougher feet. Halflings have a reputation for being a peaceful race, remaining with their own kind in small communities and towns. They generally do not mind rulers or other races as long as they are left free from outside influence, and are able to live as they please within their own small communities. This has also led to their reputation as excellent chefs and brewers of alcohol.

## Origins

Halflings can be found around Tareal, in the past near hills and meadows. The domineering theory of halfling origins is that, like all dwarvenkin, they were born from deep under the earth, later coming to the surface and settling. Halflings were largely nomadic long ago, until they adapted tools that would allow them to cultivate farmland and build mud huts or construct dwellings out of soft hills. Halflings would go one to share territory with elves, humans, and dwarves, the races they got along with well typically.

## Characteristics

### Height and Weight

Halflings are short in stature and lightweight, often confused with human children if not for their ear shape and foot size. On average, halflings are 3'2" to 3'5" and weigh between 50 and 70 pounds. Females are generally shorter and weigh less than males.

### Physical Appearance

Halflings are often mistaken for human children due to their height and appearance, though when looked at more closely are clearly much older and have distinct characteristics that set them apart. Halflings have short but pointed ears, and slightly larger eyes than that of a human child's. Their feet are noticeably big, with rough soles for walking barefoot across the land. Halfling hair is typically thick and curly, and is often shades of red, brown, black, or blonde. They mostly have green eyes, though brown or blue is not entirely uncommon.

### Lifespan

Halflings live slightly longer lives when compared to humans, reaching physical maturity around the ages of 16 or 17. Halflings can live to be an average of 120 years old, though some have been known to reach 150 years of age. They see birthdays as a cause to celebrate, and often throw extravagant parties for every birthday of the year within their communities.

### Diet

Halflings are omnivores, and have a diet of cooked meats, fish, dairy, alcohols, juices, fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts. Renown for their cooking, Halflings prepare elaborate fests with a wide spectrum of flavors and culinary inventions. Halflings that open bakeries in other cities or towns usually do quite well just by their race's reputation alone.

## Subraces

Halflings are more or less the same across Tareal, though some are slightly more inclined to different climates. While a majority of Halflings live in temperate climates, some have moved towards the arctic or the tropical latitudes and found reasonable success.

### Temperate Halflings

Temperate Halflings are what most people think of when they think of halflings, living among hills and huts in plains and meadows just far enough away from civilization to find peace, but not far enough to where they are constantly threatened by the wilds of the land.

### Hardyfoot Halflings

Hardyfoot halflings, or hardyfeet, have made a home in the colder climates. Hardyfeet live in caves or mud and wood huts, with some even learning how to create dwellings from the snow itself. They are some of the only halflings to wrap their feet and wear foot coverings due to the bitter cold in these regions. They have a more pale complexion and lighter colored hair. Blue eyes are more common among hardyfeet.

### Hotfoot Halflings

Hotfeet, as they are commonly referred to, have settled in warmer regions, such as deserts or warm tropics. They are more grizzled than most halflings, and they are usually found doing what is necessary to survive. They are seen by the rest of halflings as more human than halfling due to their behavior and general culture, though some still retain the quaint homeliness known of halflings. Hotfeet are not uncommon among thieving crews, and have even been known to sail, something most halflings are afraid of. They have darker skin and hair typically, and often are found with brown eyes.