Races of Wild

CHAPTER 2HALFLINGS50away from their clans and caravans. Such loner halflingsare often adventurers, and most fall in with other adventurersof different races. These associations can last for manyyears, and a loner halfling often forms fast friendships withall his companions.Other loner halflings choose to make their own way in thecities or towns of other races. Many gravitate to human cities,where they function as thieves, burglars, or entertainers. Someset up their own shops, offering goods to the public—andclandestine aid to other halflings. A few loner halflings wanderthe wilderness on their own, living off the land and makingfriends with the outcasts and loners of other races.Elderly halflings who have tired of the traveling life mayalso become loners, purchasing homes or land and settlingdown to retire. Such landed halflings frequently allow otherhalflings to stash goods and money on their property andhide out there when the heat is on.SETTLED HALFLINGSAlthough halflings prefer to wander, some permanent settlementsdo exist. These are often founded on land belongingto a member of some other race who owes the founders agreat favor. Typically in such a case, the owner grants thehalfling race permission to use the land in perpetuity, andits ownership passes to the leaders of the halfling town freeof charge should any new owner ever wish to sell the originalowner’s lands.Such halfling settlements are rarely bigger than smalltowns, because few halflings truly wish to settle down. Theirorganization typically mirrors that of the closest settlementof some other race; they expect to have the most contact withpeople from that community and want them to feel comfortable.Each town does, however, have clan leaders, an old one,a blacksmith, a chief herder, and at least one priest, all ofwhom function as they would in a caravan (see above).Halflings who live in a settled community usually growcrops in addition to raising herd animals. Orchards andcultivated fields dot the surrounding area, and most settledcommunities are renowned for their simple pastoral beauty.Houses are usually built of the most common material in thearea, wooden structures and earthen dwellings being themost prevalent.The residents of a settled community apprentice theiryoung in the same manner that caravan halflings do, butthe choices of profession are often more numerous in a community.Every kind of artisan and merchant is represented ina halfling settlement, though they need not all be halflings.Butchers, bakers, jewelers, metalworkers, candlemakers,wainwrights, animal breeders and trainers, tinkers, potters,cobblers, weavers, seamstresses, and purveyors of magic itemsall have shops, and at least two taverns operate in any suchtown. Just about any service available in a human communityis available in a halfling settlement.The typical halfling settlement includes a school whereyoung halflings can gain some book learning and a schoolof magic where those who desire to do so can train in thearcane arts. A temple to each of the major halfling deities ison hand as well.Each community also has a “banker” and a fence. The latterbuys stolen goods from itinerant halflings and resells themin safe locations. The banker caches money from wanderinghalflings and keeps it safe until they return, charging a smallfee for the service.HALFLINGS ANDOTHER RACESHalflings are generally amiable creatures, and they formfast friendships with people who have earned their respect.Obviously foolish individuals of any race earn only theirscorn, but those who prove their worth by aiding a halflingor by seeing through one of her schemes is a candidate forlong-term friendship. Many a prospective mark’s ire has beenturned aside when the halfling who was trying to cheat himburst out into laughter and bought him a drink.For the most part, halflings are quite tolerant of otherraces. They value their own ways and assume that othersvalue theirs just as much. “Do what you like as long as youdon’t get caught,” goes an old halfling saying, and mosthalflings are quite happy to extend that same concept toother races as well.Dwarves: Halflings admire dwarves for their industriousnessand their strong family ties, both qualities that resonatethrough the halfling culture as well. Dwarves also have anose for money, so allying with them on small-scale treasurehunts can be quite profitable.Like anyone else who lives in the same place all his life, thetypical dwarf is rather stodgy and more than a little provincial.Dwarves are also a bit too warlike for the halflings’ taste.Why can’t they just learn to get along with everyone else, likethe halflings do? They’re not even content with making theirown wars—they’re always trying to teach halflings how tofight too. It’s best just to ignore them when they act arrogantand overbearing. They can’t help it, after all; it’s just the waythey are.Elves: Halflings are somewhat in awe of elves and theirhigh civilization. Elves live so long and see so much thathalflings tend to feel a bit inferior around them, like awkwardyounger siblings. Thus, they try to be on their verybest behavior around elves, and they tend to suppress theirrambunctious nature and their open, friendly charm. Onlywhen they have lived near elves for periods extending intoyears do they fully come out of their shells.In spite of their discomfort around elves, halflings appreciatethe fact that elves get along with most other races, andthey are also impressed by the fact that elves try their bestto avoid warfare through negotiation. Halfling caravansfrequently make camp near elf lands; the elves are almostalways kind and welcoming, as though they were actuallyglad to see their smaller friends. When elves purchase theirgoods or ask for help with particular ventures, halflings aregenerally flattered and only too glad to be of assistance.