The Halflings - Trefdians (TREF-dee-enn)
Trefdians are an isolationist and peaceful people. Among them are three primary linneages that they call kin.
The Bryndians, or Light Foot Halfings, are the most numerous of the halflings.
The Caledians, or Stout Halfings, are more isolationist than the Bryndians.
The Pantdians, or Ghostwise Halflings, are mysterious sects of Trefdians whose society lives in shadow.
Trefdians are believed to have been created from dew soaked clay by bored hill giant children who imagined peaceful lives of eating and playing in the sun. For this, The Zwergekin see Trefdians as an ancestral sibling race, the height of their kinlike relationship seeing the creation of sustainable and durable papers with the Korrdiana. While this was seen as a net gain for all sapient life in Holdtronja, more bitter Bryndians cite this moment as the reason Caledians would become more isolationist and mingle less with other cultures of Trefdian. Otherwise, Trefdians are known for peaceably living their own lives with a distrust of outside or external influence, believing that life provides the Trefdians all that they need. For this reason, more ambitious and adventurous Trefdians are oft accused of being uppity or greedy.
The Bryndians, or Light Foot Halfings, are the most numerous of the halflings.
The Caledians, or Stout Halfings, are more isolationist than the Bryndians.
The Pantdians, or Ghostwise Halflings, are mysterious sects of Trefdians whose society lives in shadow.
Trefdians are believed to have been created from dew soaked clay by bored hill giant children who imagined peaceful lives of eating and playing in the sun. For this, The Zwergekin see Trefdians as an ancestral sibling race, the height of their kinlike relationship seeing the creation of sustainable and durable papers with the Korrdiana. While this was seen as a net gain for all sapient life in Holdtronja, more bitter Bryndians cite this moment as the reason Caledians would become more isolationist and mingle less with other cultures of Trefdian. Otherwise, Trefdians are known for peaceably living their own lives with a distrust of outside or external influence, believing that life provides the Trefdians all that they need. For this reason, more ambitious and adventurous Trefdians are oft accused of being uppity or greedy.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Easily confusable with Human children, Trefdians can be identified by their hairy feet, which are often uncovered, and their pointed ears.
Growth Rate & Stages
Considered an adult when the Trefdian makes their first contribution to the family archives, usually around 30.
Additional Information
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Commonly:
Gioveghanni
Lokrein
Nove-Modai
Gioveghanni
Lokrein
Nove-Modai
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Darkvision
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Bryndians and Caledians share naming conventions. The standard trefdian name consists of a a first name and family name. Bryndians and Caledians travelling will often add their village to their name.
Pantdians have two names. Their given name, and their title. Given names are considered sacred, and thus are kept secret to the immediate family- never spoken. Most often they are identified by their titles and grove, adding family names in the case that two Pantians from a grove share a title. I.e. Listener Myrganwy Moontide. Pantdians who leave the grove may adopt their secret name as an act of defiance.
Pantdians have two names. Their given name, and their title. Given names are considered sacred, and thus are kept secret to the immediate family- never spoken. Most often they are identified by their titles and grove, adding family names in the case that two Pantians from a grove share a title. I.e. Listener Myrganwy Moontide. Pantdians who leave the grove may adopt their secret name as an act of defiance.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
All: Halfling / Diaenga
Pantdian Rangers: Druidic
Pantdian Rangers: Druidic
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
Bryndians and Caledians:
Bryndians and Caledians keep familial records stored as incredible ornate family trees artisinally recorded on large sturdy papers rolled an encased in ornate wooden tubes, crafted by the first member of the family featuring designs related to the familys role in the village. These tubes are conditioned to be fire resistant and waterproof, and kept by archivists who are often positioned higher in status than the villages mayor.
Bryndians: Bryndians are the Trefdians most open to travel, and the most likely to be met in major civil areas and cities. Part of their lifelong journey includes making a pilgrimmage to one of these urban areas and expanding a skill or knowledge set that they may bring back to their home village.
Caledians: Known to be stubborn and isolationist, many Caledians never leave their villages. Those who leave are often exiled for their crimes or abnormally adventurous Trefdians, the latter of which are often considered selfish or arrogant by more traditional Caledians. Caledians enjoy a livestyle, ironically, similar to Korrdiana - The Hill Dwarves - setting within hills where they breed livestock and erect family owned brewries. They say a lot can be told about a Caledian and their alliances based on whose ale they drink.
Pantdians: Pantdian origins are unknown. Pantdians live in druidic like groves that act like natural monestaries. Each pantdian works in service to the grove and the protection of the nature around them, sustaining over what the forest provides for them. If a pantdian consumes an animal, they are expected to find a purpose for every part of the animal. Specifics are unknown and not shared with outsiders. It is believed that pantdians may have a longer natural lifespan than other Trefdians, being reborn as part of their home forest after their death.
Bryndians and Caledians keep familial records stored as incredible ornate family trees artisinally recorded on large sturdy papers rolled an encased in ornate wooden tubes, crafted by the first member of the family featuring designs related to the familys role in the village. These tubes are conditioned to be fire resistant and waterproof, and kept by archivists who are often positioned higher in status than the villages mayor.
Bryndians: Bryndians are the Trefdians most open to travel, and the most likely to be met in major civil areas and cities. Part of their lifelong journey includes making a pilgrimmage to one of these urban areas and expanding a skill or knowledge set that they may bring back to their home village.
Caledians: Known to be stubborn and isolationist, many Caledians never leave their villages. Those who leave are often exiled for their crimes or abnormally adventurous Trefdians, the latter of which are often considered selfish or arrogant by more traditional Caledians. Caledians enjoy a livestyle, ironically, similar to Korrdiana - The Hill Dwarves - setting within hills where they breed livestock and erect family owned brewries. They say a lot can be told about a Caledian and their alliances based on whose ale they drink.
Pantdians: Pantdian origins are unknown. Pantdians live in druidic like groves that act like natural monestaries. Each pantdian works in service to the grove and the protection of the nature around them, sustaining over what the forest provides for them. If a pantdian consumes an animal, they are expected to find a purpose for every part of the animal. Specifics are unknown and not shared with outsiders. It is believed that pantdians may have a longer natural lifespan than other Trefdians, being reborn as part of their home forest after their death.
Common Taboos
Bryndians and Caledians - being removed from the family tree is permanent exile.
Pantdians - Any speaking of your secret name outside of immediate family is said to curse the individual, leading to their removal from the grove.
Pantdians - Any speaking of your secret name outside of immediate family is said to curse the individual, leading to their removal from the grove.
Historical Figures
Faustina: God of Mercy and Peace. Scarred during The Eternal Dusk, she keeps the marking in divinity as a reminder that all deserve her compassion and light.
The Silent Twelve: The first Pantdians who made a public appearence. Boarded a vessel in Giorgligharcia to travel beyond Verdai, never speaking a word. They were never seen again.
The Silent Twelve: The first Pantdians who made a public appearence. Boarded a vessel in Giorgligharcia to travel beyond Verdai, never speaking a word. They were never seen again.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Lifespan
Up to 200 Years
Average Height
3'-4'
Average Weight
40-50 lbs
Geographic Distribution
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