Halfmen
There are many ways one can describe those of halfman blood. Some are stereotypes, some are perhaps unjust, unfair, or even prejudice or racist, founded on hate or disdain. Others are founded upon biology perhaps. However I generally dislike such overt methods. It is unwise as a student of the world and its peoples to set preconceived expectation or notions, particularly when they can carry such loaded baggage. However, where stereotypes, for good or for ill, exist, there usually is some grain of truth, some foundation upon which that stereotype was built or formed. So in discussing the Halfmen people, which one could be forgiven for thinking that name is even loaded, prejudice, has negative connotations, perhaps from Humans. But this would be fundamentally incorrect.
Halfmen you see were humans. At least humans seem to be their closest relative amongst the family tree of the various Ascended Children and the ancestries that make them up. We know not when they would have diverged, but they do seem the most closely related to Humans. However I would leave the dry topic of that behind before discussing Halfmen culture, naming traditions and their varied traits and world views. Instead I would feel remiss if I didn't introduce the Halfmen people with a quote from one of their own, a scholar and history keeper in the city of Tiate that I had the pleasure to spend many moons with, soaking in the knowledge and stories they could offer me not just of their people, but of Susma and her culture as well. The quote in question, whilst arguably breaking my aforementioned rule about reinforcing any sort of stereotypes or the like, given its source, was simply to much of a gem to leave out.
As one can imagine, Halfmen are a unique ancestry, a unique people.
Halfmen you see were humans. At least humans seem to be their closest relative amongst the family tree of the various Ascended Children and the ancestries that make them up. We know not when they would have diverged, but they do seem the most closely related to Humans. However I would leave the dry topic of that behind before discussing Halfmen culture, naming traditions and their varied traits and world views. Instead I would feel remiss if I didn't introduce the Halfmen people with a quote from one of their own, a scholar and history keeper in the city of Tiate that I had the pleasure to spend many moons with, soaking in the knowledge and stories they could offer me not just of their people, but of Susma and her culture as well. The quote in question, whilst arguably breaking my aforementioned rule about reinforcing any sort of stereotypes or the like, given its source, was simply to much of a gem to leave out.
"There is good luck, there is dumb luck , and then there is Halfmen luck. Halfmen luck is absurdly dumb luck."
Edmund Quillen, History Keeper and Archaeologist
As one can imagine, Halfmen are a unique ancestry, a unique people.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Halfmen naming culture is a unique mess. You see halfmen don't have a naming structure we would think of. Only two of their names, though they may have many, are 'names' in the conventional sense we would think of them. Their first name, that which was given to them at birth (often coming with a nickname over the course of their adolescence, a shortening to something less full sounding, easier to shout or call out over a crowd, through noise, or to use with some vocal fortitude to let a rowdy child or rambunctious youth know they were beginning to cross into 'danger' territory with their behavior.
In discussing first names to begin with, it is worth noting that some amount of gendering seems to exist. The rules were not clear neither to me in my explorations of the Halfmen language, peoples and their culture, nor even to my contemporaries whom specialize and are Halfmen whom I was fortunate enough to be able to lean on in my studies whilst traveling around Susma. What I was able to establish were three rather basic rules which seem to be as follows;
To show the oddity of these naming conventions, below you will see a small list of four common Feminine first names and Masculine first names I experienced, as well as three Unisex names, complete with nicknames beside them in brackets;
Common Feminine Names: Antoniella (Anni), Evelynn (Eve), Irelisa (Reli), Ophelia (Lia)
In discussing first names to begin with, it is worth noting that some amount of gendering seems to exist. The rules were not clear neither to me in my explorations of the Halfmen language, peoples and their culture, nor even to my contemporaries whom specialize and are Halfmen whom I was fortunate enough to be able to lean on in my studies whilst traveling around Susma. What I was able to establish were three rather basic rules which seem to be as follows;
- Names that start with vowels are overwhelmingly viewed as feminine.
- Names that start with the letters 'Th' specifically are overwhelmingly viewed as gender neutral
- Names that 'Fr' are overwhelmingly masculine names.
To show the oddity of these naming conventions, below you will see a small list of four common Feminine first names and Masculine first names I experienced, as well as three Unisex names, complete with nicknames beside them in brackets;
Common Feminine Names: Antoniella (Anni), Evelynn (Eve), Irelisa (Reli), Ophelia (Lia)
Masculine names
Common Masculine Names: Fredwick (Fred), Mahreed (Mare or Maddy), Karpour (Karr), Penrose (Rose)
Unisex names
Common Unisex Names: Maximilian (Max or Maxi), Theodosius (Theo or Thea), Thomasina (Tina or Thom)
Family names
A halfman's family name will often have some sort of linguistic tie to their family's past, a passed down craft or trade perhaps, or the place that family originated from. A few simple examples are noted here, from people whom I met and were kind enough to converse with me, be contributers large and small to my work and research.
Example Family Names: Ashfield, Rumster, Shortbottom, Thorncobble
Example Family Names: Ashfield, Rumster, Shortbottom, Thorncobble
Other names
This is the section now where we explain what I mean about halfmen names being strangely structured and much longer. Halfmen names, their full, official, legally documented name, though only the first and family name appear on documents that one might carry, can be exceedinly long. So long that for sake of space and ease, only the official copies you'd file with governments and keep in a locked safe at your homestead would contain the full length name when it comes to any documents, hence why carried documents will only contain your first and family name, perhaps one other key name at most.
This is because when families branch, that is marriage melds or expands a family, instead of one side or the other giving up their family name, they simply.....create and add a new name that then gets carried forth down family lines as well. With children each parent will generally give them one of their middle names, as well as a new family name and their first name. As you might imagine this becomes a tangled, gnarled mess to follow quite rapidly. Especially for outsiders. Thankfully, one normally need not know a halfman's complete name, and in most any circumstance, their first name, nickname and family name is plenty enough. However should you be seeking a specific individual in a city as populous as Tiate for example, you would do well to at least know some of their middle names, in the correct order, to aid in your search.
This is because when families branch, that is marriage melds or expands a family, instead of one side or the other giving up their family name, they simply.....create and add a new name that then gets carried forth down family lines as well. With children each parent will generally give them one of their middle names, as well as a new family name and their first name. As you might imagine this becomes a tangled, gnarled mess to follow quite rapidly. Especially for outsiders. Thankfully, one normally need not know a halfman's complete name, and in most any circumstance, their first name, nickname and family name is plenty enough. However should you be seeking a specific individual in a city as populous as Tiate for example, you would do well to at least know some of their middle names, in the correct order, to aid in your search.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Besides Valarian Common, Halfmen do have their own ancestral language, that of Halish. I would best describe the verbage and spoken structure of this language much like how one might describe Susman cookery in fact. Spicy, flavorful, with a strong base that builds and builds. The language has a tempo and heat to it, one that dances off the lips almost musically even without intention to be. It is a beautiful, if tricky language in that tempo, heat and pace. Halish is a speechcraft language, its meant for speaking, speaking with pace and energy.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Halfmen are about as varied as Humans in this aspect of things, with near any individual likely having differing description and definitions or references for 'beauty' unique to them. There are some things that are universal of course, but nothing in regards to individuals, to people. That is all unique, down to the taste of the individual, and is thus hard to really gauge.
Gender Ideals
Halfmen are interesting in that there are gender ideals or roles within a partnership, however they only exist in very narrow fields. For example it typically falls to the 'homemaker' partner to track the pantry so to speak, plan the meal as well as day to day homestead maintenance and cleaning. However it falls to the 'homebringer' partner to insure the households coffers are full, assets are well managed, vittles are plentiful and available as needed, and supplies, tools or other things as well as clothing and the like for day to day life, are never lacking for any within the household. You might note neither of these terms are gendered in a way most of us would recognize, and that is because whilst yes it is more common for the 'homebringer' to be the male partner it is not so common as to gender the term. This is similarly true for the female partner and 'homemaker'.
Relationship Ideals
Halfmen truly value partnership, but also extended families. Having multiple 'partners' or even interconnected relationships of four or five people all in relationships with each other is not uncommon. Many hands make light work as they say, and being successful as a family is oft said to 'take a village.' Those of Halfmen ancestry do often take that concept quite literally.
Halfmen as Characters
Traits: Humanoid, Halfman
Age:
It's a common joke amongst Halfmen and Humans alike that Halfmen traded half their stature for double the years, and that does seem to hold accurate. Whereas humans measure life in decades, and rarely see beyond their eighth, so to do Halfmen, though they regularly see beyond a century, and it is far from unheard of see beyond a century and a quarter. Anything older than a hundred and sixty is considered ancient beyond reason, amongst those of Halflmen ancestry. A Halfman's age can often be hard to tell however, particularly if they are from Susma, their traditional homeland, as the weathering of the desert sun and sand can make judging someone's age by the wrinkles or lines on their face a great difficulty. Furthermore their natural happy-go-lucky attitudes and sharp wit and sense of humor can make judging age even more difficult, as someone smiling and laughing often is generally hard to get a good read or judge of.
Hit Points
6
Size
Small
Speed
25 feet
Attributes
Languages
All Halfmen start fluent in Valarian Common, as well as Halish, however they also start fluent in one other language of their choice from; Joten, Elthain, Dwarven, Gnomish. Basically having picked up the language well enough to get by via trade and cross culture exposure. Furthermore they may choose additional languages equal to their Intelligence Modifier if it is positive. These selections must be common languages that are prevalent in the area you are/you hail from.
Born Lucky
Halfmen are incredibly and almost suspiciously lucky, for no truly perceivable reason that anyone can understand. The first time every day that a Halfman character critically fails (so rolls a natural 1 or fails by 10 or more) a skill check or Saving Throw, it becomes the equivalent of a regular success instead.
Small Size
Due to being small size, Halfmen would normally wield smaller weapons. Lower the damage dice by 1 step for any weapon when considering a Halfman character wielding an appropriately sized version for their frame. Also due to their smaller size, they do present a smaller target, having a permanent bonus of +2 to their AC that qualifies as a Dodge bonus, which does mean it is removed if they are caught flat-footed or surprised.
Iron Guts
Likely passed down over the generations, being a people whom come from a harsh climate, with limited food options and resources available, Halfmen seemingly evolved to have quite the tough guts. Halfmen characters get a +1 to any Fortitude Save against ingested poisons, as well as nausea related Sickened (X) conditions.
Average Height: 2'9"-3'9" (90-120 cms)
Average Weight: 120-200 lbs (54-90 kgs)
Common Hair Colors: Gray, Flaxxen, Russet, Honey, Chestnut, Ginger, Mustard, Almond
Common Eye Colors: Light Grey, Pale Blue, Green, Hazel, Brown, Copper, Dark Brown
Three Most Common Adventurer Professions: Chemist/Alchemist, Entertainer/Bard, Scoundrel/Rogue
Three Least Common Adventurer Professions: Breserker/Barbarian, Brawler/Monk, Warrior/Fighter
6
Size
Small
Speed
25 feet
Attributes
- Boost to Charisma
- Boost to Wisdom OR Constitution
- One Free Boost
- Flaw to Strength
Languages
All Halfmen start fluent in Valarian Common, as well as Halish, however they also start fluent in one other language of their choice from; Joten, Elthain, Dwarven, Gnomish. Basically having picked up the language well enough to get by via trade and cross culture exposure. Furthermore they may choose additional languages equal to their Intelligence Modifier if it is positive. These selections must be common languages that are prevalent in the area you are/you hail from.
Born Lucky
Halfmen are incredibly and almost suspiciously lucky, for no truly perceivable reason that anyone can understand. The first time every day that a Halfman character critically fails (so rolls a natural 1 or fails by 10 or more) a skill check or Saving Throw, it becomes the equivalent of a regular success instead.
Small Size
Due to being small size, Halfmen would normally wield smaller weapons. Lower the damage dice by 1 step for any weapon when considering a Halfman character wielding an appropriately sized version for their frame. Also due to their smaller size, they do present a smaller target, having a permanent bonus of +2 to their AC that qualifies as a Dodge bonus, which does mean it is removed if they are caught flat-footed or surprised.
Iron Guts
Likely passed down over the generations, being a people whom come from a harsh climate, with limited food options and resources available, Halfmen seemingly evolved to have quite the tough guts. Halfmen characters get a +1 to any Fortitude Save against ingested poisons, as well as nausea related Sickened (X) conditions.
TTRPG Inspiration Block
Average Height: 2'9"-3'9" (90-120 cms)
Average Weight: 120-200 lbs (54-90 kgs)
Common Hair Colors: Gray, Flaxxen, Russet, Honey, Chestnut, Ginger, Mustard, Almond
Common Eye Colors: Light Grey, Pale Blue, Green, Hazel, Brown, Copper, Dark Brown
Three Most Common Adventurer Professions: Chemist/Alchemist, Entertainer/Bard, Scoundrel/Rogue
Three Least Common Adventurer Professions: Breserker/Barbarian, Brawler/Monk, Warrior/Fighter
I'am not sure I really understand now what halfmen are. First I thought, due to the name, they are half men, half something else. Then I thought they are kind of hobbits, but also not. By the end of the article it feels like they are ... smallmen. Like, humans, just smaller. Is that what they are?
So smaller but longer lifespans, much longer, nearly double in fact. It isn't well understood in world either (cause they don't have our level of genetics to study this to see how closely related the two are) but yeah. They are the two closest ancestries by relation of the base set in Valerick, That and unlike humans whom are just sort of generalists, Halfmen seem to have 'traded' evolutionarily speaking, stature for extra lifespan, and well, a notable amount of dumb luck (see their initial racial trait, they also will have other ancestry feats tied to luck based stuff and manipulating fate a little bit.) Basically very lucky, longer lived, small human cousins.