Halflings
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Three major subraces of halfling dwell in Faerûn: the lightfoot halflings, the rare ghostwise halflings, and the strongheart halflings of Luiren in the south. Like the rock gnomes, many halflings live among the Big Folk in human lands. They are resourceful and quick, perfectly at home among the sprawling human lands or living apart in their own settled communities.

The halfings’ name for their race is hin, although most accept “halfling” with a shrug and a smile.

Ghostwise Halfling

These wild, nearly feral halflings rarely leave the confines of the deep forests. Strange and reclusive, they form close-knit communities because of their amazing talents and are uncomfortable with strangers. Like other halflings, they refer to themselves as the hin. They do not have a name for their subrace, because their culture is almost entirely cut off from the outside world and their awareness of other kinds of halflings is very low.

Regions

The Chondalwood, south of the Vilhon Reach, is home to a number of ghostwise settlements. Other forests inhabited by these reclusive folk include the Methwood between Chessenta and Unther, and the Forest of Amtar south of the plains of the Shaar.

Racial Traits

  • +2 Dexterity, –2 Strength. Ghostwise halflings are quick, agile, and good with ranged weapons, but they are small and therefore not as strong as other humanoids.
  • Small: As a Small creature, a ghostwise halfling gains a +1 size bonus to Armor Class, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, and a +4 size bonus on Hide checks, but she uses smaller weapons than humans use, and her lifting and carrying limits are three-quarters of those of a Medium character.
  • Ghostwise halfling base land speed is 20 feet.
  • +2 racial bonus on Climb, Jump, and Move Silently checks. Ghostwise halflings are agile, surefooted, and athletic.
  • +2 morale bonus on saving throws against fear: This bonus stacks with the ghostwise halfling’s +1 bonus on saving throws in general.
  • +1 racial bonus on attack rolls with thrown weapons and slings. Throwing and slinging stones is a universal sport among Ghostwise halflings, and they develop especially good aim.
  • +2 racial bonus on Listen checks. Ghostwise halflings have keen ears.
  • Speak without Sound (Su): A ghostwise halfling, unlike other halflings, can communicate telepathically with any creature within 20 feet, just as if speaking to him or her. The halfling can only speak and listen to one person at a time, and he must share a common language with the person or creature he speaks to telepathically, or the telepathic link fails.
  • Favored Class: Barbarian. A multiclass ghostwise halfling’s barbarian class does not count when determining whether she takes an experience point penalty for multiclassing.

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Lightfoot Halfling

The most common type of halflings seen in the world, the lightfoots are the most likely to give in to their desire to wander. They are at home living side by side with folk of many different races and cultures. Lightfoot halflings are more likely to worship nonhalfling deities than any other halfling subrace.

Regions

Some lightfoot halflings are wandering traders, craftsfolk, and entertainers. A clan of several extended families may settle in a human town for a year or two, working and trading, and then pick up their stakes and move on for reasons known only to themselves.

Many lightfoot halflings prefer a more sedentary existence. The kingdom of Luiren is the ancestral homeland of the halfling race, and some lightfoots live there. Other lightfoots settle permanently in just about any land in which humans live.

Racial Traits

  • +2 Dexterity, –2 Strength. Lightfoot halflings are quick, agile, and good with ranged weapons, but they are small and therefore not as strong as other humanoids.
  • Small: As a Small creature, a lightfoot halfling gains a +1 size bonus to Armor Class, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, and a +4 size bonus on Hide checks, but she uses smaller weapons than humans use, and her lifting and carrying limits are three-quarters of those of a Medium character.
  • Lightfoot halfling base land speed is 20 feet.
  • +2 racial bonus on Climb, Jump, and Move Silently checks. Lightfoot halflings are agile, surefooted, and athletic.
  • +1 racial bonus on all saving throws. Lightfoot halflings are surprisingly capable of avoiding mishaps.
  • +2 morale bonus on saving throws against fear: This bonus stacks with the lightfoot halfling’s +1 bonus on saving throws in general.
  • +1 racial bonus on attack rolls with thrown weapons and slings. Throwing and slinging stones is a universal sport among Lightfoot halflings, and they develop especially good aim.
  • +2 racial bonus on Listen checks. Lightfoot halflings have keen ears.
  • Favored Class: Rogue. A multiclass lightfoot halfling’s rogue class does not count when determining whether she takes an experience point penalty for multiclassing.

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Strongheart Halfling

While the lightfoot halflings value the experience of travel and the sight of new lands and peoples, the stronghearts are a more organized, orderly, and industrious race. They build to last, and fiercely defend their homelands against threats that their lightfoot kin would simply flee. Northland humans familiar with the easygoing ways of the lightfoot halflings are surprised to learn that some halflings are capable of a warrior tradition and aren’t afraid to show a hint of arrogance or confidence in their own abilities and strengths. Strongheart halflings enjoy athletic contests and value exceptional skills of all kinds.

Regions

Strongheart halflings make up most of the population of the land of Luiren. They are uncommon in other lands.

Racial Traits

  • +2 Dexterity, –2 Strength. Strongheart halflings are quick, agile, and good with ranged weapons, but they are small and therefore not as strong as other humanoids.
  • Small: As a Small creature, a strongheart halfling gains a +1 size bonus to Armor Class, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, and a +4 size bonus on Hide checks, but she uses smaller weapons than humans use, and her lifting and carrying limits are three-quarters of those of a Medium character.
  • Strongheart halfling base land speed is 20 feet.
  • Halflings gain one extra feat at 1st level, because they have a strong drive to compete and many opportunities to practice their skills.
  • +2 racial bonus on Climb, Jump, and Move Silently checks. Strongheart halflings are agile, surefooted, and athletic.
  • +2 morale bonus on saving throws against fear: This bonus stacks with the strongheart halfling’s +1 bonus on saving throws in general.
  • +1 racial bonus on attack rolls with thrown weapons and slings. Throwing and slinging stones is a universal sport among Strongheart halflings, and they develop especially good aim.
  • +2 racial bonus on Listen checks. Strongheart halflings have keen ears.
  • Favored Class: Rogue. A multiclass strongheart halfling’s rogue class does not count when determining whether she takes an experience point penalty for multiclassing.

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