Hofflin

## Summary

Hofflins (sometimes stylised as "Höfflins") are one of the more common People of the Realm among Cerrellus. They resemble small humans, with perhaps a minor resemblance to the dwarves. Hofflins usually stand between 80 to 100 cm tall, weighing on average between 14 to 16  kg. Hofflins are known by many to be kind, polite, and generally easygoing. Hofflins are generally seen as a 'good people' by others, which can be a blessing and a curse. On one hand, hofflins are everyone's friends, and are well-regarded by almost everyone. On the other hand, this unfortunately makes it easy for humans and other species to box the hofflin people into a 'model minority' stereotype that can negatively impact other minority groups.

## Origins

After the Celestial Court defeated the Elemental Chaos, they began settling the Prime Material world by fashioning creatures in their own image. These creatures were known as the People of the Realm. It was Swendall, the nature god, who created the hofflins in his mental image - the deity who was every immortal's friend. Fortina, one of the Eternals, and Goddess of luck, granted the hofflins good luck.

## Politeness and Community

Hofflin life is about getting by pleasantly and making ends meet, despite unpleasantries. Generally, hofflins are not prone to violence or argument, and in fact are not known to be inclined to be particularly impassioned about anything. Hofflin politics is largely centrist, with nobody really caring enough to make an impact as long as they can all get by peacefully. It is common to reach the end of a long conversation with a hofflin only to realise that nothing of value was said - the social dance of phatic communion and small talk is a major part of their daily life. Please and thank yous are always uttered, but genuine thankfulness is a hard thing to come by. Heroism is often considered strange in hofflin culture, since it involves leaving the comfort of one's favourite chair, warm fire, and full pantry - and who will water my houseplants while I'm gone?

A key example of the hofflin spirit was when the fascist group known as The Triumvirate invaded the hofflin city of Ubbin. The hofflins offered no resistance to this group. Resistance, of course, would require a standing army, which would require discipline and training - something which hofflins shun. No need to try hard when good enough will do. Plus, a standing army is a threat to other nations, which we don't need - we just need to get along! The hofflins laid out bunting for The Triumvirate, offered them tea, and crossed their fingers that it would all blow over soon when some other nation would just step up. Because of the excellent cooperation from the hofflins of Ubbin, their town was hardly touched by The Triumvirate. And why would it be? The Triumvirate did not see them as threat.

## "Halfling" and "Doublin"

Hofflins are often called "halflings" by taller folk, and not always in a polite way. This term, of course, refers to the fact that hofflins are half the size of so-called "regular" people. Many Hofflins consider this word a slur, since it implies a human-centric view of people, and alienates the hofflin people as 'another oddity'. Further still, some hofflins have decided to turn the tables on the taller folk by calling them "doublins", a play on them being double the size of a hofflin. This has yet to catch on, with a lot of taller folk not really understanding what 'those polite little people are on about'.

## Jinx

Jinxes are hofflins that are cursed with bad luck.

## Naming Convention

Hofflins typically have names containing double vowels or double consonants, feeling 'rounded' or 'soft'. Family names are often a combination of an adjective and a noun, both usually evoking something positive. Examples include:

* Lideen Warmsmile
* Yalla
* Greggin Shortscone
* Ebblin Bitterberry