Halfling

Description
Halfling history is, by and large, like the race, unremarkable. Several names exist amongst the other races for the halflings, such as shirelings, hobbits, hin, rumblebelly's and shortfellows.

Unadventurous, bucolic, with a quiet passion for the simple things in life: farming, eating, drinking and merrymaking. Although capable of defending home and family courageously if the need arises, they would rather enjoy six meals a day, if they could get them. Fond pastimes include gardening, fishing, dice throwing, brewing of fine ales and the smoking of mind-altering pipe-weed.

Indeed their appetite for food and alcohol is legendary.

Small of stature but well rounded as a whole, in fact some would use the term 'plump' to describe their well-fed frames. Oversized feet are a trademark the people are most associated with, thick leathery soles mean that few bother to wear boots and are quite happy to amble along barefoot. Nearly all male halflings are incapable of growing true beards, although many have long sideburns. Usually attired in plain shirts and simple breaches of a brown tan the halflings save any bright colours for festivals and weddings.

Halfling communities are tightly-knit groups found around the realms, usually near the settlements of other races. Most halflings don't recognise any claim by king or noble as sovereign rulers but instead look primarily to the family elders to guide them. This focus on bloodlines has enabled halfling tradition to continue for millennia relatively intact, in little, hidden away hamlets.

While most halflings do not have the same need for adventure that some others do - most prefer boredom to trouble, however, if pressed, they transform into valiant paragons and are a notoriously determined bunch once set in motion.

Bonuses

 * Naturally very high Dex
 * Increased healing when drunk
 * Very high satiation capacity
 * Bonus when fighting large creatures

Penalties

 * Weapon class penalty
 * Lower natural armour class
 * Lower natural Fight
 * Lower natural Strength
 * Lower Base HP
 * Lower Hit points per point of Con
 * Lower carrying capacity per point of strength

Racial Weapons
Because of their small size halflings have problems with any two handed or heavy weapons, but their natural dexterity aids them well with smaller and delicate weapons of any nature, the lighter the better.

Prefered Classes
Halflings are solid and dexterous humanoids, even given their limited size they have strong survival instincts and an ability to quickly recover from injury (albeit while drunk) which helps to keep them in one piece. They are not the most durable of races, relying more on not being there to be hit than staying in a fight, they can excel at thievery but usually try to avoid breaking any laws or getting into trouble if they can help it.