Races of Wild

Halflings are usually pleasant traveling companions,though their penchant for trouble tends to cause occasionalannoyance in their companions. However, they understandhow adventuring parties must work together, and they arequite able to respond to threats against their companionswithout becoming distracted.Though all halflings are curious, active, trouble-prone, andfearless, other aspects of an individual character require somedefinition. What is your character’s personality like? Doesshe come from a caravan or a settlement? How do her friendsand family back home view her? Does she feel the need toprove herself, or is she just out for treasure and adventure?HALFLING LIFEMost outsiders believe that halflings lead a happy-go-luckylife, free from cares and responsibilities. As is often the case,however, the truth is quite different. Though having minimalpossessions does avoid many of the problems faced by moresettled folk, halflings must endure cold, rainy nights, hungerwhen food is scarce, attack by monsters in the wilderness,wagons stuck in the mud, rocky trails, and a general lack ofprivacy. The fact that they can face such difficulties and stillwear the carefree smiles that most people associate with themis a tribute to the halfling spirit.Halfling culture is not as old or as developed as that of theelves, but its diversity provides a richness of its own. Like aquilt sewn by many hands, halfling culture is a patchworkof different styles, arts, and attitudes. Though most halflingsespouse the same general principles, each caravan (or sailingship, for seafaring halflings) forms a subculture of itsown, with particularcustoms, rulesof behavior, rituals,and even speechpatterns. Halflingsrecognize this diversityand are alwayseager to learn the customsof others of theirkind. The constantturnover amongthe people in a givencaravan ensuresthat each subculturecontinues togrow and evolve.Most halflingsadopt noncombatprofessions such asblacksmith, animal herder,or some other function withinthe caravan. A high percentage leavethe caravan at some point to take up adventuring. The halfling’sneed to see what’s around the next bend or behind the nextdoor is never served as well as in an adventuring career.ARTS AND CRAFTSLike humans and dwarves, halflings usually specialize incrafts and professions, with each person occupying a necessaryniche in the community and providing a particularservice throughout his life. Each caravan has a blacksmith,a wheelwright, a wagon builder, a butcher, various cooks,hunters, animal trainers, spinners, weavers, priests, tinkers,jewelers, and general laborers. Nearly all halfling NPCs ina caravan specialize in one primary skill and take one ortwo ranks in several others that they have developed in casesomeone needs to fill in for another member of the caravanwho has become ill or disabled. Such secondary skills alsostand halflings in good stead when they camp near otherhumanoid communities and hire themselves out.Crafts are the primary outlet for a halfling’s creative side.Halflings create very little art for its own sake; there is usuallylittle money in such endeavors. Why spend weeks making alovely painting or statue that will have to be carried aroundfor months and months, taking up valuable space in someone’swagon? Better to carve and paint children’s toys and sell themat the next stop. Halflings do, however, enjoy embellishingthe items they use in daily life. Some paint designs of remarkablebeauty on the sides of their wagons; others make jewelryor embroider clothing for their own use. Such use of one’screative abilities is beneficial to both the individual and thecommunity. Brightly colored wagons can draw attention fromother humanoids, attracting them to the camp, so the halflingscan easily transact business with them. Likewise, strikingclothing and jewelry sometimes speaks more of prosperitythan of a vagabond lifestyle, which tends to put more stablebusinesspeople at ease.Textiles, fashion design,metalwork, jewelry making,weaponsmithing, armorsmithing,woodworking,pottery, and other such endeavorsare all considered viableexpressions of one’s artisticself, and even painting hasits place when used forthe embellishment ofotherwise utilitarianobjects or for profit.Skill at architectureis nearlyunknown amonghalflings, becauseso few of them buildpermanent structures.A halfling merchant uses her wagon to display her craftworkMusic is an art form thatevery halfling can appreciate. Itnot only helps to bring in coin butalso lifts the spirits after a long, hard day of travel. It providesthe framework for dancing, an indulgence of which halflingsare particularly fond. Only when the need for silence is greatIllus. by E. FiegenschuhCHAPTER 2HALFLINGS43