Val Peqin

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The **Thanedom of Val Peqin** is a halfling realm located entirely in the homonymous mountain valley, in [Northern Landmass, localized name yet to be decided].

## Etymology

Val Peqin literally means "Small Valley" in [Insert language here], referring to the valley the halflings that compose the nation live on and the fact that they are generally known as Small People, a fact which they take pride on. Val Peqin serves as both the name of the realm and the name of the mountain vale it sits on, which might lead to confusion among outsiders. Halflings, however, don't have a mind for grandiose terminology, and think that the simplicity of naming their realm after the geographical feature it's in fits their style.

## Geography and Climate

Val Peqin is located in the long, narrow valley of the same name located in the central part of [Northern Landmass, localized name yet to be decided]. The realms main zones are located in the forested lowlands of the valley, between the banks of River [Localized name yet to be decided] and the shores of Lake [Localized name yet to be decided]. The lands climate is temperate, with large forests composed of numerous species of conifers and deciduous trees. Summer temperatures don't rise too much; winters, on the other side, can sometimes be hard, as even if the lowlands are protected from most natural hazards, some years temperatures can drop a lot due to the overall altitude of the zone, causing the lakes waters to freeze and the entirety of the vale to become snowed.

Technically part of the mountain peaks surrounding the Val Peqin are also part of the realm, but due to the extreme temperatures, the logistical difficulties and the overall laziness of the halflings, they haven't settled any of them for the moment.

## Society and economy

Val Peqins society and customs are deeply tied with halfling ones; they are one and the same, after all, given that the Thanedom is exclusively composed of this race.

Halflings society and lifestyle revolves mainly about the concept of family. Usually an entire clan of halflings will live in the same household; some 2 or 3 generations of the same family can inhabit it at the same time, and given that fertility is pretty high among the race (the average couple has around 4 to 8 children in their lives), that means a lot of halflings inhabiting the same building. They don't really mind too much, though; halflings don't really have the same sense of personal space that other races have, at least when it comes to other halflings.

Every halfling family or clan -the terms are used interchangeably- is lead by a clan leader. The leaders main function is the administration and managing of the household as a whole, with a clear focus in the rotation of crops, distribution of the clans workforce and administration of the clans trades and economy. The clan leader will also be charged with approving weddings between clan members and halflings outside the clan -in most of cases the response will be positive, unless the marital link is controversial in some way- managing relations with other clans, attending to important guests and, finally, assisting Moot. Of course, all of these responsibilities are modulated depending on the clans overall size, power and stance inside the Vals society.

Succession in halfling clans/families is unequivocally decided using the system of tanistry, which has been used since ancient times. Following this system, at some point during the current heads lifetime (usually when they start to age, although there is no exact mandatory time), the head will call a reunion of all clan members who have rights over the succession. All of those halflings will then vote to decide which one of them will be the heir to the family; from that point onwards, that halfling will act as heir apparent to the clan and all of its properties, until the head eventually dies, which is the moment in which the elected heir will actually become the new head. This tanistry system is reproduced in all levels of halfling society, and even the Cjâfs clan works under such rules.

Economy-wise, the Val Peqin is a mostly agrarian society, which spends most of its workforce in growing crops for subsistence. Wheat is the first and foremost crop planted by the halflings, but potatoes, corn, carrots and lettuce are all in order too. The valley is also renowned for its good climate for fruit-growing, and halfling households are known to grow huge amounts of apples, apricots, pears, peaches, grapes, nuts and a vast variety of berries. Lastly, since ancient times halflings have had a good hand with animals, and as such they keep cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chicken, mules and bees, of which they obtain eggs, honey, milk, cheese and various meats.

The halflings also maintain mainly two forms of economical activity that revolve around mainly ludic activities: alcohol and tobacco. Even though not as adept as other zones of the world, the halflings of the Val do have a number of breweries in their lands, in which they brew beer, wine, brandy, cognac, bourbon and other spirits. Given how much halflings like their drinks, demand for these breweries is always high. There is also the tobacco industry, which is unique to the Val and almost exclusive to halflings. Although only the finest lowland zones of the vale are of good value for growing this herb, halflings make good use of it and grow great amounts of the plant, which they then process for it to be adequate for smoking with a pipe. Not only the domestic consumption of this "pipe weed", as it is known, is really great; it also has demand outside of the Val, and is the main attraction for foreign merchants to trade with the halflings.

## History

### Early history; mythical origins

In the days of yore, a tribe/clan of humans had been separated from the rest after [insert fight/storm]. Numbering only a few dozen people, they sought shelter in a cave. Upon entering a rudimentary camp was set up. Not long after they all felt a weird pulse, sort of an attraction towards something. Something or someone made them enter deeper into the cave. The feeling only intensified. The walls of the cave were noticed to become evermore covered in moss and small fungi the further they went in. The lack of air they had felt initially faded away as though some source of air existed in the depths. Sounds of running water were heard and intensified at every step and then. At long lost they arrived to where the mysterious feeling in their head told them too. A cavern full of life! Red and green moss and vines litter the floor and walls of the cavern, huge mushrooms growing from all directions and small glowing berry-like plants on the floor. A river with a shiny blue colour flowed through the cavern which astonished all. One could also see what appeared to be trees made of stone with gemstones protruding from its branches and to a lesser extent its trunk. The group was approached by a giant of sorts (custodian) which guided them towards the centre of the cavern, near a large pillar which led to the roof of the cavern. Where the giant welcomed the expected guests and made them feel comfortable without saying a single word. Their eyes opened wide and they saw the entire cavern, a network of caves leading to this otherwise hidden location. The entire system was in the shape of a tree, hence why by oral tradition, this mysterious place is known as the “Tree of Stone”. The giant vanished so after the brief look they looked for food in this lush cavern. They ate some of the berries and moss as well as some of the smaller mushrooms which grew on the cavern walls. They drank the slightly glowing water without the slightest hesitation. The giant reappeared from thin air, holding a spherical gemstone like the ones on the stone trees but this one was different… Slightly smaller but it glowed and seemed to reflect most light which touched it. It mesmerised any who looked at it. He held his hand down, and lowered it to one of the humans, not the oldest nor the youngest but a young adult (early 20’s). The giant spoke and said to him and said, “You will lead your people, the spirits will guide you, as a virgin land awaits you innocent folk.” They hadn’t noticed it but by drinking from the water in the cavern as well as the presence and touch of this giant, affected them all physically and characteristically. In a few generations these humans shrunk in size to half of what they were while becoming more humble and diligent as the years went on. The ‘Rocaceru’ as Valley Folk called it became the very symbol of Thaneship as it was crowned, giving legitimacy to each Thane as it was said to contain powers which aided each Thane in leading the Clans as such it was highly guarded and was branded as priceless.