Halfling
Halfling Upbringing
A Halfling not raised by or among their people may have different traits than those described below. If you wish to have a different upbringing for your character—a Halfling raised by Dwarves, for example—consult with the DM.
- Brave – A Halfling has Advantage on saving throws made to avoid or end the Frightened condition.
- Guileless – Halflings learn to take advantage of how others perceive them due to their diminutive stature, and have Proficiency in Deception.
A Halfling raised among their own kin will speak, read, and write Common and Halfling. The Halfling language isn’t secret and frequently uses the Thorass alphabet common to many Human languages in Faerûn, but Halflings are loath to share their language outside their community. They almost exclusively speak Common or regional languages when among non-Halflings.
As a general rule, they write very little, so historically they don’t have a rich body of literature. Their oral tradition, however, is very strong.
Halfling Names
A Halfling has a given name, a family name, and possibly a nickname. Family names are often nicknames that stuck so tenaciously they have been passed down through the generations.
Male Names: Alton, Ander, Cade, Corrin, Eldon, Errich, Finnan, Garret, Lindal, Lyle, Merric, Milo, Osborn, Perrin, Reed, Roscoe, Wellby
Female Names: Andry, Bree, Callie, Cora, Euphemia, Jillian, Kithri, Lavinia, Lidda, Merla, Nedda, Paela, Portia, Seraphina, Shaena, Trym, Vani, Verna
Family Names: Brushgather, Goodbarrel, Greenbottle, High-hill, Hilltopple, Leagallow, Tealeaf, Thorngage, Tosscobble, Underbough
The diminutive Halflings survive in a world full of larger creatures by avoiding notice or, barring that, avoiding offense. Standing about 3 feet tall, they appear relatively harmless and so have managed to survive for centuries in the shadow of empires and on the edges of wars and political strife.
Halflings’ skin tones run the same ranges as Humans, and their hair is usually brown or sandy brown and wavy or curly, though shades of black, blond, and red are not entirely unusual. Their eyes are usually brown or hazel, but green, blue, or amber eyes are also possible. Halfling men often sport long sideburns, but beards are rare among them and mustaches even more so; this is not because they cannot grow this sort of facial hair, but rather a general cultural preference to remain clean-shaven. They like to wear simple, comfortable, and practical clothes, favoring bright colors.
Halflings of the Sword Coast
Halflings—also know as Hin—are a fairly common sight throughout most of Faerûn as they are naturally outgoing and adaptive. Strongheart Halflings are less common than Lightfoot Halflings in areas farther away from the warmer southern lands near the Halfling homeland of Luiren, but both groups are well-represented throughout the entire Sword Coast region. Lightfoot caravans are not uncommon sights on the trade roads and in town commons, and Strongheart merchants and mercenaries have established communities in cities like Baldur’s Gate, Luskan, Mirabar, and Waterdeep.
Halfling Traits
All Halflings, regardless of subtype, have certain characteristics in common.
Age
A Halfling reaches adulthood at the age of 20 and lives for about 150 years.
Size
Halflings average about 3 feet tall and weigh about 40 pounds. Their size is Small.
Speed
A Halfling’s base walking speed is 30 feet.
Halfling Nimbleness
Halflings are able to freely move through the space of any creature one size larger than themselves, but cannot stop in the same space.
Lightfoot Stealthiness
A Lightfoot Halfling can take the Hide action even when obscured only by a creature that is at least one size larger.
Strongheart Resilience
A Strongheart Halfling has Advantage on saving throws against Poison and Resistance against Poison damage.