Welcome To The Halfling Section! [Halfling Information Mega-Thread]

[cmack1028 549]

 

 

Spoiler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xslyQmbqX0E#t=0

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello and welcome to the halfling forum section! This particular thread will be used not only as an introduction to the halfling race, but as a general all-in-one information hub as well. This thread will contain tons of useful information, designed to help you learn all about our race and help you become one of our own! Let’s get started, shall we?

 

Halflings. The lovable little farmers. The mischievous little thieves. The halfling community has always strived to create a fun, laid back and stress-free roleplay environment inside LoTC. The halfling race is a very unique one, but it may not be a good choice for everybody.

 

Petyr’s guide can be used to help you determine whether the halfling race is or isn’t for you.

 

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Some important points to note:

 

• If you really enjoy PvPing, a halfling is probably not for you.

• If you rage or have a temper, being a halfling is not for you.

• If you want to be a Mary Sue or be a super duper badass, halflings are not for you.

• If you get really bored really quickly, halflings might not be for you.

• If you want to mine, halflings might not be for you.

• If you are too serious, halflings are not for you.

 

HOWEVER:

 

• If you enjoy farming, drinking, fishing, and laughing, be a halfling.

• If you are tired of powergamers, poor RPers, or just tired of conflict, be a halfling.

• If you want some peace and some good friends, be a halfling.

• If you are drawn to short and weak races like hobbits and gnomes, be a halfling.

• If you like the sound of an Irish accent, be a halfling.

• If you want a community that is more focused on fun over items, be a halfling.

• If you've always wanted to live in a hobbit burrow, be a halfling.

 

Roleplaying a halfling can be fairly difficult for newer players or those that do not know much about the halfling race. In order to be a proper halfling, you should know:

 

• Halflings are usually around three feet tall and have large, hairy feet

• Halflings live in small, cozy homes carved into the hillside known as burrows

• Halflings mature at the age of 33 and can often live longer than most humans due to ancient dwarven blood, sometimes up to even 250 years old

• Halflings have a distinct accent that sounds similar to a modern-day Irish accent

• Halflings are known to be some of the best farmers in the land and often wear farmhand clothing

• Halflings typically do not wear any form of shoes due to their large feet, and are much more comfortable going barefoot

• Halflings can sometimes have two different colored eyes

• Halflings have very big stomachs despite their smaller stature and are often very hungry

• Halflings never wield or equip blades or armor, and their go-to weapon and tool is always the shovel

• Halflings prefer to barter and typically don't use minas or any other currencies

• Halflings do not particularly frown upon thieving things from the outside races, however as a community, they generally choose not to steal from one another

• Halflings frown upon locks and instead prefer an open and trusting community

• Halflings frown upon violence, however they are not considered pacifists

 

You should also read the halfling wiki, found here: https://wikia.lordofthecraft.net/index.php?title=Halflings

 

The general appearance of the halfling race can be summed up very well by Bili's guide on how to look the look. 

 

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Halflings are unique when it comes to their stature. They are said to resemble children, although they have the features of adult humans. Due to this, they are often called halfmen, and referred to as the smallest beings of all the races. The average height for a halfling is about three feet tall.

 

Halflings are not known for their combat skills due to this size, coupled with their lack of burliness. Unlike dwarves, who are short and stout, this race is short and less built. It is not uncommon to see an obese halfling, though, for they do love food and lazing about.

The Little Folk are famous for their hardy feet. It is a well-known fact that they avoid wearing shoes. Doing so is quite uncomfortable, as they have much thicker and more leathery feet than humans. This extra layer of skin can withstand thorns and sharp rocks. The foot of a male halfling has a curious amount of hair, that spreads over its top. Little is known why they have so much foot hair, but the halflings do not seem to question it. Their feet, in proportion to the rest of their body, are quite large.

The hair of halflings is often curly, or wavy, and almost never straight. It tends to range from blonde to dark brown, and on rare occasions, black. Black hair is rarely seen, and brown seems to be the color in most abundance.

Halflings' eyes are also quite a curious spectacle. Their eye color is about the same as a humans', ranging from brown, to green, to blue, with the addition of less common colors, such as violet. The most intriguing eye color is, well, in fact, a mixture of two different colors. The condition "Heterochromia iridium" is common in halflings. This means that both eyes are different colors. It is seen more often in she-halflings than in male halflings, for reasons unknown.

 

 

Fumble's guide on clothing will help you dress for success!

 

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Halfling clothing tends to vary from halfling to halfling. Some halflings prefer to wear jackets if they are feeling fancy that particular day. Others might wear some sort of farmhand trousers combined with a vest or shirt if they need to work or travel. Overalls are also common. The more relaxed and nature-loving halflings will wear casual or very short clothing. Most female halflings wear short dresses or skirts.

 

Rupert’s guide can be used to help you master the halfling accent.

 

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Typically, halflings have a sort of Irish accent from the modern world today, however there are some notable differences.

 

• Halflings have a difficult time pronouncing the letter T during mid-statement, however they can easily pronounce it as the first sound of a statement, for example:

 

Normal: This is a test statement.

Halfling: This is a tes' sta'emen'.

 

Notice how in “statement,” the first T isn't replaced with an apostrophe. The “st” sound remains pronounceable.

 

• Halflings typically don't pronounce the H sound when speaking. You can also drop the “oo” sound in words, and instead replace it with “e” or “a” (You -> Ye, Ya), for example:

 

Normal: How are you?

Halfling: 'ow are ye?

 

• Some accents don't allow the halfling to pronounce the sounds “to” and “too”, and instead would replace them with “ter,” for example:

 

Normal: What do you have to do today?

Halfling: Wha' do ya 'ave ter do terday?

 

• Lots of times, Halflings won't pronounce the "er" sound at the end of a word and instead replace it with "a", for example:

 

Normal: How are you, Mister Proudfoot?

Halfling: 'ow are ye, Mista Proudfoo'?

 

Again, the "st" sound will remain strong, but in the word "foot," it would drop the T.

 

• Halflings typically don't pronounce "ing", and instead only pronounce the "in'" sound, for example:

 

Normal: How are you doing today?

Halfling: 'ow are ya doin' terday?

 

Friendly tips:

• Your character will be able to pronounce the random consonants in the beginning of words. "Green" is not "'reen,” "more" is not "'ore,” etc.
• Many halflings choose not pronounce the “th” sound, and instead replace it with a D (That -> Dat). This is completely up to you, however when I learned in mid-Asulon, it was not a typical thing to do.
• Have fun with it! Mix and match to make your accent unique!

 

 

 

 

 

Making your new halfling character is fairly simple and can be done in some easy steps.

 

• Know your stuff
• Get your name
• Get your skin
• Start RPing

 

Know your stuff! Read up on the halflings in this thread and the wiki!

 

Get your name! The best way to get a name would be to join a family, such as the Brandybucks, Willowswamps, Herbwallows or Tooks. (It would be wise to ask a member of the family to join beforehand!) Names can also be created through creative thinking or a name generator, such as one found here: http://www.chriswetherell.com/hobbit/

 

Get your skin! Skins can easily be obtained by searching the Internet, however we would recommend that you have your skin custom-made by yourself or somebody else on the forums. Stealing another player’s skin and editing it is frowned upon and is extremely awkward when you see the other player in-game!

 

Start RPing! Throw your skin on, make your character card (persona) and head for the halfling village!

 

Bili's guide on courtship is a wonderful read on how traditional halfling marriages are arranged.

 

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Halfling courtship and marriage are similar to that of the human race, but it also has a few differences. Here are some specifications. 

When a halfling finds an attraction to the opposite gender, he or she will usually approach the other, eventually asking them to go on a date of some sort. They might go to any location (the pub, a nice picnic etc). On this "date," the two will get to know each other better. The halflings might find that they enjoy the others company, in which they will go on another "date." Or, they might find that they dislike the other, in which they will head off in search of a new person.

Barring that there are any mishaps, fights, or loss of interest, the two halflings will eventually fall in love, and start to get on a more personal level. After an even longer time, the halfling's love might become so strong that they feel they can spend the rest of their lives together. If so, the male halfling will offer the female halfling an item of significant importance, and ask for her to marry, and spend the rest their lives together. If the female accepts the two will begin preparations for a wedding (It is very rare for a pair of halflings not to have the wedding ceremony, but in a few cases halflings have skipped in altogether). 

These ceremonies will be held (normally) in an outside area, as most halfling communities have no large church or building to hold it in. These weddings will have large amounts of people (nearly the whole town, for halflings like to party), food and drinks. Once the initial party is over, the weddings begin. In these, the betrothed stand close to each other with an Elder in the middle. The two wear fine clothes as do the rest of the onlookers. Rings are then brought out by a first man and lady. The husband's is often inlaid with refined lapis and the wife's is inlaid with a diamond. The two exchange rings then their vows are read by one of the Elders. The two seal their vows by drinking some of the towns finest vintage wine from the same cup. A toast is then raised by the onlooking crowd for the well-being of the relationship. 

The party then resumes with traditional halfling jigs and other dances, carrying off late into the night. After the couple is happily married they will indulge on a search for a home they can live in together (note, they skip the honeymoon as halflings don't like to travel as much as other races). The couple will then raise a family and resume their happy halfling lives together.

 

If you are looking for an enjoyable halfling read, you should definitely take a peek at Petyr’s history.

 

 

Spoiler

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A History of Halflings - by Petyr Brandybuck

 

Preface

 

As is common knowledge, the origins of the halfling race reside began with couples consisting of a human and a dwarf. Nowadays, the halflings have distinct traits of their own, practically unmistakable when compared with the modern counterparts of their progenitors. The purpose of this book is to educate the populace about the culture and history of the halflings. The information in this book has been preserved either in ruins, in literature, or in folklore.

 

Chapter 1 - Beginnings - Years 0-300

 

Though there are many conflicting accounts regarding the creation and following years of Aegis, most records agree that the race of humans and that of dwarves most likely had contact before Year 50. And, as when any two cultures collide, so do their blood, and so at some point in time, humans began to mate with dwarves. We can trace some traits back to this point, such as brewing and farming talents, but as we will see, other generic halfling traits developed over time.

 

Indeed, it is hard to pinpoint the first halfling. After researching animal breeding as well as magical oddities, I would propose that, intially, the children of a dwarf/human couple would not be classified as a halfling. You see, it would make much more sense if halflings were a height in between that of a dwarf and human, but instead, they are actually shorter! This would indicate that, some time in the past, a great outer influence caused the future children of these mixed couples to have this odd height.

 

It is reasonable to conclude that halflings as we know them today were present by Year 300, based on folklore and literary records.

 

Chapter 2 - Early Developments - Years 300-600

 

A combination of small stature and inherant greed drove some of the first halflings to thievery, a very viable profession for nimble hands in the cities. They gained a reputation for being mischievous and devious, and thus gained little respect for their brewing or farming prowess. There was some prejudice against them, no doubt; never once in history or literature does one hear of a heroic or powerful halfling. To say that they were suppressed would be incorrect, but people did find them a thing to be "tolerated".

 

Over time, of course, most halflings developed a sort of fear of violence and arguments, reducing the number of thieves. As well, most halflings moved to Oren to escape the war-mongering attitude of the dwarves. This is estimated to have taken place over the time span of Years 400-600 The humans were little better, though. And, over time, halflings began to move to more rural areas, escaping those that would persecute them. Small communities on the very border of human cities were formed, and there halflings began to develop customs to cheer them up. Indeed, good food and good times seemed to become the goal of every halfling.

 

Chapter 3 - Later Developments - Years 600-1200

 

Halflings continued migrating farther and farther out of the city. It came to be that small communities of halflings were spread out in the vast plains surrounding Oren, with the halflings only revealing themselves occasionally to trade goods. Over time, the negative connotation towards halflings mostly disappated, but the halflings enjoyed their semi-solitary lifestyles.

The countryside is where the art of halfling brew and cooking truely matured into the art form that it is today. Indeed, the herbs and spices that could be found in the countryside of Oren had never been truely used to their full potential, and so halflings were the first to utilize them. Some of these herbs include the yellow wildflower, spice of apple, and fern dust. The ale, while very potent, began to develop more of a focus on flavor and aftertaste. This also was the case with halfling bread and cider.

 

It is important to note that there were still some halflings living in cities at this point (~Year 800). Most halflings were born of halfling/halfling, but some were still born of a human/dwarf couple. These halflings enjoyed a much easier life than their ancestors.

 

Around this time in history, the number of halflings had indeed grown to a point where surnames were required to identify with, as previously, only single names were used. Names, both first and last, were usually one or two syllables. Notable surnames and houses that began at this time were the houses of Took and Brandybuck, founded by Tulkan and Grombadook, respectively. The Tooks had the traits of what might be called the quintessential halfling - friendly, yet shy, of average height and demeanor. The Brandybucks, however, were a tad more adventurous, with darker hair than most halflings. Each family lived in a single burrow hill, most of them in the general vicinity of another. These family hills were the closest thing to a town as had truely ever existed yet in halfling culture.

 

However, in around Year 1010, some families started to break apart from population pressures. Families like the Brandybucks eventually spread all througout the lands.

 

By around this time, halflings had been isolated enough that, not only did this unique culture of peace and merriment develop, but the halflings actually forgot or disbelieved in the creation stories and of Aenguls, Daemons, and God. Indeed, the halflings didn't really develop a totally obscure faith, but instead took on a quasi-religious outlook that revolved around the things they held dear: harvest and food, companionship, nature, and peace. No "gods" were ever named, nor was worship very common, but there was a common belief that, if a halfling betrayed his tight-knit community, that the harvest and the tranquility of life would be lost.

 

Chapter 4 - The Rise and Decline of the Village Era - Years 1200-1304

 

Around the year 1200, a small group of halflings, from both Took, Brandybuck, Goodbody, and other families, decided to form a self-sufficient community apart from the family burrows. They had decided to make it a collection of hills, hidden from society by the waters and hills surrounding it. This community eventually came to be named "Dunwood", and it remains the most notable halfling town to date. There are massive wheat fields and a beautiful, clean lake. This town was always notable for being quite territorial, for as the humans began to urbanize more and more, family burrows were abandoned, and Dunwood was one of the last retreats for the country-loving halflings. As word of the town's existence came to be, spread by the word of the Wandering Wizard, halflings from both cities and family hills came to try and gain a burrow here. The founders of Dunwood were initially very welcome, but soon, the onrush of want-to-be residents came to such a high number that it was impossible to distinguish which would be beneficial to the community. The aspect of companionship was always very emphasized, and as a later resident of the town, I can vouch for this fact. By the time that I moved to Dunwood, it was impossible to walk through the streets of Al'Khazar without being pestered for the town's semi-secret location.

 

Envious of the town, many halflings and non-halflings alike began making similar towns in the surrounding hills, a more known one by the name of Thistledown.

 

I am now qualified, at this point, to tell the history from a first-person perspective. Yes, for I arrived in Dunwood during a small population boom, when the town was thriving and more inhabitants came every day. The Elders of the town at the time were Kip Took, Len, Gimblo. I was first escorted to the town by Gimblo, who took Bell and I for a visit. And, as I mentioned earlier, we were pursued through the streets of Al'Khazar by nosy people! Gimblo turned a corner, snapped his finger, and suddenly Bell and I were in Dunwood (a trick I have yet to emulate perfectly). The smell of hot bread and ale wafted from the ale garden, and I could hear a halfling singing with a lyre in the distance. Indeed, it was truly the ideal place for a halfling. Indeed, soon, the whole town took a trip to Al'Khazar to pledge allegiance to the newly-kinged Edmund.

 

After many a year of drinking, story-telling, and visitor-shoveling, the town seemed to go into a cultural decline. The Elders grew a tad sickly, and so they appointed Owen Sturdyfoot II as the Mayor to help govern. However, even his efforts did not maintain the vitality of the town, as Brian left to become an Ascended, Biodoc passed away, Rusty moved to Al'Khazar, and Lilly was kidnapped. This decline occured in other towns, too, leaving an area surrounding Dunwood filled with empty hill-homes and the likes. I, too, left after a call from the Druids, though the years of countryside living would have a profound influence on me for my entire life.

 

Chapter 5 - Up to Modern Day - Years 1304-Present Day

 

After many years, around 1340, I decided along with a few relatives to restore the popularity and culture of Dunwood, and so we hosted DunFest, a large festival with much merriment. There was drinking, dancing, singing, and the likes, of course. However, afterwards, it did not have the profound influence on the town population that I would have liked. And so, I went back to Malinor, only to try another festival later. Indeed, it appeared that our selective ways way long ago had a profound influence on the interest in the town, and so many gave up their hopes of moving and settled in the city. Many halflings have forgotten the joy of the simple and clean life, to my surprise. While I certainly traveled and was no typical halfling, the air off of Lake Dunwood in the early morn still stirs my soul like very little else does.

 

At the most recent DunFest, I did meet some fellows quite interested in culture, but none were halflings. I have tried to embrace the city-dwelling halflings with open arms, but very few have answered the call.

 

With the division of Oren, I as one of the only remaining Elders of the town decided to not immediately pledge our allegiance to either faction, instead remaining independent for some time. I did, however, set up a trade caravan of goods between Dunwood and Galahar, trying to make use of our overstocked wheat.

 

At the time of writing this, the state of the world grows dim as the Undead continue to win victory after victory. The future will surely deserve another tome of halfling history, perhaps more in depth, as this was merely a general overview. Hopefully this has been an informative and enjoyable read.

 

Petyr Brandybuck

 

 

 

For those who would like to learn how to build proper burrows, Petyr’s guide on burrowing is another fantastic halfling guide to read and learn from. You can also check out Faldo's burrowing guide, found HERE.

 

 

Spoiler

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The Three Keys to Burrowing:

 

1. Cozy

 

2. Circular

 

3. Covered by Dirt

 

Cozy: A burrow must be cozy. A burrow that is too spacious is a burrow begging for unwanted guests. Cozy is not the same as cluttered. A halfling should never have too much room or too little room. Huge basements or vaults or spare rooms are not encouraged.

 

Circular: Burrows should be rounded, not built with the crude edges of other barbaric races.

 

Covered by Dirt: If there is no dirt on top of a burrow, it is merely a house, and a house is not proper for a halfling.

 

Standard Building Procedures:

 

Most burrows will have between three and five rooms. This is typically two large rooms and one bed room, perhaps adding a storage room or, in exceptional cases, another large room. A room is qualified as large if the surface area of the floor is greater than or equal to twenty four meters squared.

 

Standard rooms include:

 

• Bedroom (always)

• Living Room (always) (typically where the fireplace goes)

• Entry Room/Hallway (typically)

• Eating Room/Party Room (sometimes)

• Separate storage room (sometimes)

 

A standard four-room burrow will consist of two large rooms (entry room and living room) and two small rooms (storage and bedroom).

 

Carefully consider the placement of doors, windows, and fireplace before construction begins.

 

Walls should be made of wooden planks stacked two meters high upon some sort of sturdy log.

 

Darkwood and standard planks are preferable.

 

The floors should always be covered by a thin layer of wooden planks or some sort of wool carpet.

 

 

Ceilings should be layered inward from the walls as such (depending on the shape of the room):

 

 

 

 

After construction, burrows should be covered by a layer of dirt, as to be made inconspicuous and natural-looking. Plant flowers and tall-grass after all dirt is placed.

 

Some notes:

• Small basements are okay, but a basement too large will collapse the burrow from lack of support.

 

• Experimentation should of course occur; no two burrows should be identical, and each burrow must be built to the needs of the particular halfling.

 

• Sometimes it is wise to build into the ground a bit, as to avoid too large of a hill and too much similarity between burrows.

 

• Different rooms can be different elevations, connected by a stairwell.

 

• Cutting wooden planks in half allows for very inventive ceiling shapes, adding to the overall cozy factor.

 

 

 

 

Feel free to ask any questions you might have about the halflings below!

[cmack1028 549]

 

 

 

 

[Will be updated regularly with new photos!]

[Pinsir99 526]

[youlovesocks 652]

This makes me want to be a halfling, by the way, the dwarves around Bilbo's table picture is hilarious. +1

[cmack1028 549]

This makes me want to be a halfling, by the way, the dwarves around Bilbo's table picture is hilarious. +1

 

You're more than welcome to join us. 

[OldeTymer 323]

Hmm... Interesting. Expect the possible addition of a new member to the Halflings come 4.0 or so... ;)

[cmack1028 549]

Hmm... Interesting. Expect the possible addition of a new member to the Halflings come 4.0 or so... ;)

 

;)

[racingbrother 226]

Photos of Lenfarthing if you ever need them for anything! May you short folk be prosperous!

 

http://www.lordofthecraft.net/topic/89120-the-rolling-hills-of-lenfarthing/

[Farry 0]

Taking into mind this is a information thread, I wonder if it is possible to be a respectable Halfling without the accent. Not everyone likes that thick sound to it!

[Heff 2460]

-snip dalek ninjaed with a better answer-

[Dalek347plus1 53]

Taking into mind this is a information thread, I wonder if it is possible to be a respectable Halfling without the accent. Not everyone likes that thick sound to it!

 

Of course you can. We can say that you grew up a city halfling, or were just brought up by funny folk. Accent is not necessary

[bork bork 9]

I was in the shogging photo I think! :D

[=Nkruma= 65]

Small people are a good thing.

[MaceEclipse 0]

Is the halfling community still a thing, I saw all the comments on this post were quite old,

I joined the server yesterday and made a halfling character, and would really like to join a cozy community.

Can anyone help me get started?

[cmack1028 549]

1 hour ago, MaceEclipse said:

Is the halfling community still a thing, I saw all the comments on this post were quite old,

I joined the server yesterday and made a halfling character, and would really like to join a cozy community.

Can anyone help me get started?

 

Take the wood elf boat from the docks to reach the elf island. The halfling village is on that island, near the druids grove. Not exactly sure of the route as I don't leave the village but you should be able to find someone that can help you out from there in RP, or just go exploring on the island and I'm sure you'll come across the village as I did.