Halfling

"Angering a Halfling is like bringing down a mountain on your head." - Common Scionian saying, both about the difficulty and dangerousness of angering a Halfling

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Halflings are a minor race in Halaran, only controlling Banazir, which is subject to the Human state of Scion. Halflings are descended from extraterrestrial conquerors who were granted the province of Banazir, Scion's best farmland, from Veizmark's territory in exchange for peace. They are naturally optimistic and curious people, and often display remarkable bravery. Halflings naturally have a knack for learning new languages and trades, which is why it's prevalent for Halflings to drop their old careers in pursuit of new ones. Halflings are difficult to anger, often keeping a cheery mood even when directly and viciously insulted. When they are angered, however, they can become implacable enemies. While Halflings are hard to anger, they also have terrible impulse control, and even wise Halflings can take idiotic actions when they're caught up in the moment.

Followers of the Star-Father

In the waning days of the First Era, those who would become the Halflings survived the disaster that ended the First Era with the help of the Star-Father, Janlen. The ancestors of the Halflings were those who accepted the help of Janlen and became the Zhemubend (Old Tongue for "Star-Flung"). With Janlen, the Zhemubend would fly around the moon in the belly of a metal eagle, watching as the world of Halaran was destroyed and remade. With the help of Janlen, the Zhemubend would construct small habitats in the Starry Realm to survive in until the time for their return came. More than three millennia in the Starry Realm would change them from normal Humans to the Halflings seen in Halaran today. The return would be marked by the reincarnation of the Star-Father, the Taverine, which happened during the Age of Collapse on Halaran.

Following the Star-Father to their ancestral homeworld, the Zhemubend would land in modern-day Scion. They would quickly rout the defending Humans with the leadership of the Star-Father, but also take heavy losses doing so. Due to the numerical superiority and home-field advantage of Humanity, the campaigns were seemingly doomed to a war of attrition, one the Zhemubend could not possibly win. Their salvation came, however, when the leader of the enemy, Adelard II "the Simple" would reach out to the Zhemubend. Instead of demanding their surrender, he offered the Zhemubend land in modern Banazir in exchange for their loyal service to his empire. The Zhemubend accepted, and have inhabited the land since.

Swords to Plowshares

After winning their land, the Halflings would go on to serve the Empire in their coming wars. They would often be deployed to Huvaria, which was the frontline of the fighting between the Osranian Empire and the united tribes of Marblight. Even after the death of their Taverine, the Halflings were more than capable fighters, serving as some of the best light cavalries in Isan. It was the Halflings who bred the Zhemupony, a pony that would be able to fulfill wartime needs. In addition to their contribution on the regimental level, Halflings were notable on the individual level. There were also three Halflings among the Andarine's 100 companions when he slayed Malek, all of whom are remembered fondly as heroes among the Halfling people today.

After the end of the Age of Collapse and the destruction of the Osranian Empire Halflings would return to Banazir to build idyllic, agrarian lives for themselves. While they live peacefully today, Halflings have been more than happy to go on adventures and fight in wars when the opportunity presents itself, inspired by the old tales of their people. Banazir as a province, however, has never directly fought in any war and has been a safe haven for Halflings and refugees alike.

Alien Yet Familiar

Halfling culture is deeply connected with Sonaran and Scionian culture due to their proximity. While the Zhemubend still revere the Star-Father, many have converted to the Osranite religion among the Halfling population. There is little conflict between Star-Father and Osran worshipers in the Halfling community, as the Taverine was made a lesser god in the Osranite pantheon. This is hardly a unique phenomenon as Ladros, a Hylian God, was also made into a lesser god of the Osranite pantheon due to Einar's service during the Fourth Blight.

Reckless Risk Takers

"Reckless adventure is a hazard only for fools. Fools and Halflings." - Jehan Gutte, an influential Scionian writer.

Halflings as a whole have a lust for adventure and adrenaline highs. While many of them chase these desires in socially-acceptable ways such as fighting in battle or adventuring, many Halflings have taken to a life of thrilling crime; Pickpockets, burglars, and even assassins are somewhat overrepresented among Halflings. It is because of the actions of these bad apples that the character of Halflings as a whole has been ruined. It is not uncommon for Humans to believe that all Halflings are thieves, especially in the Imperial Province of Veizmark where they are especially disdained. While not all Halflings are thieves, it's not a rare occurrence for even an otherwise law-abiding Halfling to commit some petty infraction or prank due to their poor impulse control.

Creating a Halfling Character

• Role-Model: Do you aspire to be like the Halfling heroes of old, or do you want to blaze your own path to fame?
• Crime: Have you committed any crimes yet? If you have, do you have a bounty on your head for them, or have you simply made a few individuals mad?
• Desire: Why did you leave your idyllic agrarian life behind for a risk-laden life of adventure?

Halfling Names

Male Names: Filip, Jan, Lovro, Nik, Oskar, Žan
Female Names: Ana, Eva, Maša, Sofia, Vita, Zala
Last Names: Burntturnip, Crispybrows, Fishskipper, Heavysalt, Irontooth, Spoiledspud
Making Your Own Name: Halfling names are based on Slovenian names, and their "last name" is a nickname given for something they did or have that is notable or something the whole of their village found humorous to remind them of.