The Halfling Thread [Archive] - Wizards Community

The Halfling Thread [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Passivearmada
09-27-07, 07:33 PM Here, we can discuss halflings. Halflings, I think are my favorite race, but it's hard to decide. To begin, I have several topics:
1. I believe halflings are underestimated due to their small size. What players see as heroes is what heroes are published in the books. Unfortunately, authors don't take kindly to small heroes, but would rather have a wise or dashing hero that saves the day and gets the lass- why can't halflings play the role?

2.Rogues- Halflings are most always rogues or some other deceptive class. Some metagamers would find a halfling fighter, ranger, or barbarian an excellent choice. A) they get +1 to AC, and even though they can't carry too much weight, a dextrous fighter proves useful. B) +1 to attack. You think, but what about the -2 to strength?, and I say, by level 8. it won't matter at all. Chances are, you'll get a fairly high roll and put it to strength, so you'll have a core of 13, 14, 15, or even 16, which is far above average.

3. Roleplaying- Many halfling players will roleplay like the stereotypical halfling: a fun-loving life-of-the-party that loses his nerves in a fight every once in a while. I like to make an effort to make halflings a very adaptable, versatile roleplaying group. They live for about 150-200 years, so they're close to humans along with half-elves, so why do people see them as so different? Subtract 2 0r 3 feet, add a little athleticism, some courage, and some dexterity, and you have a halfling! That's all!

4.Spellcasters- Of the halfling spellcasters I've heard of, they are all clerics of Yondalla.... The +2 Dexterity, +1 AC, and +1 Attack make them have a generally high AC, and the ability to hold their ground for a few rounds in a fight, until backup arrives. They can't carry much, but they don't have to if they'll be behind the big burly fighter.

5. The Future of Halflings- Now I know what makes Halflings a little iffy- their speed. 20 ft per round. Go ahead, cry a little- I did :weep: What doesn't make sense to me is, if a halfling is so athletic (jumping and climbing and all), then why do they get minus two to strength and not constitution? Brcause then, they'd be mini elves. And say, they're tagging along with a human caravan. I don't think they'd need to jog to keep up, but they'd just have to walk a little faster. I think in 4E, they'll have a speed of 30 feet, but we can only hope.

If you have any questions, comments, criticisms, ideas, or hopes, then post them here. Pray to your gods for an Epic Halfling to rise in the novels somewhere, and don't let their small size deceive you.
Suin Bahhar
09-29-07, 10:25 AM Halflings are seen as whimpy yes but they can pack quite the punch. Ever played a warsling sniper using skiprocks to tag multiple enemies? Good times.

They got several halfling only prc's and hold enough power already.
MarkusTay63
09-29-07, 12:44 PM I like Halflings from Athas - cannibals

Also from Raenloft - Vampires

Evil halflings are so much fun. :devil:
MerrikCale
09-29-07, 01:36 PM The five shires gazateer is pretty good. Its an old OD&D sourcebook. Oddly enough, Ed Greenwood is the author
MarkusTay63
09-29-07, 01:56 PM And it's where he first named the Halflings 'Hin'. ;)

Kender
Warrows
Oompah-Loompas
Munchkins
Elfquest Elves (whom our Ghostwise are based on)

and let us not forget Hobbits... :D

Did you know that aside from humans, Halflings are the only core race native to the Realms? That makes Abeir-Toril the Halfling Homeworld! :dancin:
danielmayer
09-29-07, 06:00 PM I agree with MerrikCale, the old 1E-Mystara-book "Five Shires" is quite the best book about hin.
Gave theat neat "storytelling"-skills... give me an email at my name above +@arcor.de.

Greetings
Trailstalker
10-16-07, 01:57 AM Halflings are quite possibly my favorite race. I play the hell out of a Halfling Ranger w/cooshee companion/mount.
johnkretzer
10-16-07, 02:25 AM Did you know that aside from humans, Halflings are the only core race native to the Realms? That makes Abeir-Toril the Halfling Homeworld! :dancin:

? Not according to the GHotR

Also you forgot the furchin (artic halflings spelljamer I think)

And I forgot their name but their was a planet dominated by black skined halfling in Realms space
triggertje
03-14-08, 04:10 AM I have recently made a hafling character for the upcomming campaign, and i must say, they rock as warlocks tbh. With their increase in dex and their natural charisma and stuff, who cares about the -2 strenght. Like my warlock is supposed to come close enough to a target to actually need that. No they rock as rogues, but as all spellcasters as well.
Draco Spirit
03-14-08, 08:53 AM Halfling mages are always fun:D

A natrauly curoise race with good nerves.. think about it.
Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
03-14-08, 09:53 AM I like halflings and don't think of them as whimpy.:) I even like the 4E ideas for them (though granted, I wouldn't neccessarily use them in the Realms), and I already have ideas for a 4E halfling character.
Lord Karsus
03-14-08, 04:04 PM Did you know that aside from humans, Halflings are the only core race native to the Realms? That makes Abeir-Toril the Halfling Homeworld! :dancin:

-Technically, Half-Elves and Half-Orcs are Core Races, right? The first Half-Elves and Half-Orcs born on Faerūn were...born on Faerūn. Thus, they could be considered native as well.

-As for Halflings, they're okay. Currently, in my campaign, one of the PCs is about to be murdered by a Halfling Gangster. More information about that can be read: HERE (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1002977)
JaiaDrottsingr
03-16-08, 11:28 PM -As for Halflings, they're okay. Currently, in my campaign, one of the PCs is about to be murdered by a Halfling Gangster. More information about that can be read: HERE (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1002977)

I guess we're rooting for the Sharks this time, right?

Die, Jets, Die!
Green Elven Vampire
03-16-08, 11:39 PM Actually, since 3ED and 3.5ED, Halflings were much more trimmed up and slim, and weren't the pudgy "hobbits" they were in 2ED.
JaiaDrottsingr
03-17-08, 12:09 AM Actually, since 3ED and 3.5ED, Halflings were much more trimmed up and slim, and weren't the pudgy "hobbits" they were in 2ED.

And they haven't had those cute little oblong heads since then either.

Yes, you heard me, I said cute.
Lord Karsus
03-17-08, 08:41 AM I guess we're rooting for the Sharks this time, right?

Die, Jets, Die!

-Which ones were the Sharks, and which ones were the Jets, again? I think I liked the Jets...

-I like West Bank Story (http://www.westbankstory.com/)much better. When I first got DirecTV, they gave us a couple of the HBO channels for free, for the first month. I saw that on the Independent Movie Channel, or whatever it was. Hillarious.

Actually, since 3ED and 3.5ED, Halflings were much more trimmed up and slim, and weren't the pudgy "hobbits" they were in 2ED.

-As has been discussed in the 'Why are the Halflings Shorter' thread, canon has still displayed Halflings as short, squat and fat guys. It is likely that only 'adventuring' Halflings are slim and trim, while 'non-adventuring' Halflings are still squat and fat. That rectifies all canon sources, old and new, and plain ol' makes sense.
Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
03-17-08, 01:34 PM -Which ones were the Sharks, and which ones were the Jets, again? I think I liked the Jets...

Jets: White kids.

Sharks: Puerto Rican kids.

:)
Another Gnome
03-17-08, 04:06 PM A-ha! So it wasn't about hockey after all, now it makes sense. :lightbulb
Lord Karsus
03-17-08, 04:52 PM Jets: White kids.

Sharks: Puerto Rican kids.

:)

-Why thank you. I have it all straightened out now.
MarkusTay63
03-17-08, 04:54 PM FR Correction:

Jets: Gnomes.

Sharks: Swamplings. (4e Halflings);)
Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
03-17-08, 08:47 PM -Why thank you. I have it all straightened out now.

I'm so glad.

Swamplings, LOL.
Meldread
03-20-08, 05:52 AM Swamplings

Here is a Swampling in 3E. (http://www.candlekeep.com/library/articles/halflings.htm)
Lord Karsus
03-20-08, 11:26 AM -I guess Halfling circuses aren't original then...
MarkusTay63
03-20-08, 05:11 PM I went to place that locale on my maps, and I realized something -

The article makes NO sense! :eek:

The guy who granted the Halfling the land was Khrulis, ruler of Airspur... a city that is one of the furthest away from the swamp! If it was a unified country, it might make 'some' sense, but each city is a citystate - why would one so far away have ANY say over what happens in the swamp? :confused:

I did enjoy the research though; it seems that Airspur has a VERY large half-orc population, and traders from the Flaming Spike Orc Tribe are welcome in the city!

Not to mention that Khrulis himself is a Halforc!!!

More evidence for the other thread...
Rinonalyrna Fathomlin
03-22-08, 07:52 PM *shrug* I guess you'd just change the name of the ruler to make it work? Or, tweak the actual story a bit.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Passivearmada 09-27-07, 07:33 PM	Here, we can discuss halflings. Halflings, I think are my favorite race, but it's hard to decide. To begin, I have several topics: 1. I believe halflings are underestimated due to their small size. What players see as heroes is what heroes are published in the books. Unfortunately, authors don't take kindly to small heroes, but would rather have a wise or dashing hero that saves the day and gets the lass- why can't halflings play the role? 2.Rogues- Halflings are most always rogues or some other deceptive class. Some metagamers would find a halfling fighter, ranger, or barbarian an excellent choice. A) they get +1 to AC, and even though they can't carry too much weight, a dextrous fighter proves useful. B) +1 to attack. You think, but what about the -2 to strength?, and I say, by level 8. it won't matter at all. Chances are, you'll get a fairly high roll and put it to strength, so you'll have a core of 13, 14, 15, or even 16, which is far above average. 3. Roleplaying- Many halfling players will roleplay like the stereotypical halfling: a fun-loving life-of-the-party that loses his nerves in a fight every once in a while. I like to make an effort to make halflings a very adaptable, versatile roleplaying group. They live for about 150-200 years, so they're close to humans along with half-elves, so why do people see them as so different? Subtract 2 0r 3 feet, add a little athleticism, some courage, and some dexterity, and you have a halfling! That's all! 4.Spellcasters- Of the halfling spellcasters I've heard of, they are all clerics of Yondalla.... The +2 Dexterity, +1 AC, and +1 Attack make them have a generally high AC, and the ability to hold their ground for a few rounds in a fight, until backup arrives. They can't carry much, but they don't have to if they'll be behind the big burly fighter. 5. The Future of Halflings- Now I know what makes Halflings a little iffy- their speed. 20 ft per round. Go ahead, cry a little- I did :weep: What doesn't make sense to me is, if a halfling is so athletic (jumping and climbing and all), then why do they get minus two to strength and not constitution? Brcause then, they'd be mini elves. And say, they're tagging along with a human caravan. I don't think they'd need to jog to keep up, but they'd just have to walk a little faster. I think in 4E, they'll have a speed of 30 feet, but we can only hope. If you have any questions, comments, criticisms, ideas, or hopes, then post them here. Pray to your gods for an Epic Halfling to rise in the novels somewhere, and don't let their small size deceive you.
Suin Bahhar 09-29-07, 10:25 AM	Halflings are seen as whimpy yes but they can pack quite the punch. Ever played a warsling sniper using skiprocks to tag multiple enemies? Good times. They got several halfling only prc's and hold enough power already.
MarkusTay63 09-29-07, 12:44 PM	I like Halflings from Athas - cannibals Also from Raenloft - Vampires Evil halflings are so much fun. :devil:
MerrikCale 09-29-07, 01:36 PM	The five shires gazateer is pretty good. Its an old OD&D sourcebook. Oddly enough, Ed Greenwood is the author
MarkusTay63 09-29-07, 01:56 PM	And it's where he first named the Halflings 'Hin'. ;) Kender Warrows Oompah-Loompas Munchkins Elfquest Elves (whom our Ghostwise are based on) and let us not forget Hobbits... :D Did you know that aside from humans, Halflings are the only core race native to the Realms? That makes Abeir-Toril the Halfling Homeworld! :dancin:
danielmayer 09-29-07, 06:00 PM	I agree with MerrikCale, the old 1E-Mystara-book "Five Shires" is quite the best book about hin. Gave theat neat "storytelling"-skills... give me an email at my name above +@arcor.de. Greetings
Trailstalker 10-16-07, 01:57 AM	Halflings are quite possibly my favorite race. I play the hell out of a Halfling Ranger w/cooshee companion/mount.
johnkretzer 10-16-07, 02:25 AM	Did you know that aside from humans, Halflings are the only core race native to the Realms? That makes Abeir-Toril the Halfling Homeworld! :dancin: ? Not according to the GHotR Also you forgot the furchin (artic halflings spelljamer I think) And I forgot their name but their was a planet dominated by black skined halfling in Realms space
triggertje 03-14-08, 04:10 AM	I have recently made a hafling character for the upcomming campaign, and i must say, they rock as warlocks tbh. With their increase in dex and their natural charisma and stuff, who cares about the -2 strenght. Like my warlock is supposed to come close enough to a target to actually need that. No they rock as rogues, but as all spellcasters as well.
Draco Spirit 03-14-08, 08:53 AM	Halfling mages are always fun:D A natrauly curoise race with good nerves.. think about it.
Rinonalyrna Fathomlin 03-14-08, 09:53 AM	I like halflings and don't think of them as whimpy.:) I even like the 4E ideas for them (though granted, I wouldn't neccessarily use them in the Realms), and I already have ideas for a 4E halfling character.
Lord Karsus 03-14-08, 04:04 PM	Did you know that aside from humans, Halflings are the only core race native to the Realms? That makes Abeir-Toril the Halfling Homeworld! :dancin: -Technically, Half-Elves and Half-Orcs are Core Races, right? The first Half-Elves and Half-Orcs born on Faerūn were...born on Faerūn. Thus, they could be considered native as well. -As for Halflings, they're okay. Currently, in my campaign, one of the PCs is about to be murdered by a Halfling Gangster. More information about that can be read: HERE (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1002977)
JaiaDrottsingr 03-16-08, 11:28 PM	-As for Halflings, they're okay. Currently, in my campaign, one of the PCs is about to be murdered by a Halfling Gangster. More information about that can be read: HERE (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1002977) I guess we're rooting for the Sharks this time, right? Die, Jets, Die!
Green Elven Vampire 03-16-08, 11:39 PM	Actually, since 3ED and 3.5ED, Halflings were much more trimmed up and slim, and weren't the pudgy "hobbits" they were in 2ED.
JaiaDrottsingr 03-17-08, 12:09 AM	Actually, since 3ED and 3.5ED, Halflings were much more trimmed up and slim, and weren't the pudgy "hobbits" they were in 2ED. And they haven't had those cute little oblong heads since then either. Yes, you heard me, I said cute.
Lord Karsus 03-17-08, 08:41 AM	I guess we're rooting for the Sharks this time, right? Die, Jets, Die! -Which ones were the Sharks, and which ones were the Jets, again? I think I liked the Jets... -I like West Bank Story (http://www.westbankstory.com/)much better. When I first got DirecTV, they gave us a couple of the HBO channels for free, for the first month. I saw that on the Independent Movie Channel, or whatever it was. Hillarious. Actually, since 3ED and 3.5ED, Halflings were much more trimmed up and slim, and weren't the pudgy "hobbits" they were in 2ED. -As has been discussed in the 'Why are the Halflings Shorter' thread, canon has still displayed Halflings as short, squat and fat guys. It is likely that only 'adventuring' Halflings are slim and trim, while 'non-adventuring' Halflings are still squat and fat. That rectifies all canon sources, old and new, and plain ol' makes sense.
Rinonalyrna Fathomlin 03-17-08, 01:34 PM	-Which ones were the Sharks, and which ones were the Jets, again? I think I liked the Jets... Jets: White kids. Sharks: Puerto Rican kids. :)
Another Gnome 03-17-08, 04:06 PM	A-ha! So it wasn't about hockey after all, now it makes sense. :lightbulb
Lord Karsus 03-17-08, 04:52 PM	Jets: White kids. Sharks: Puerto Rican kids. :) -Why thank you. I have it all straightened out now.
MarkusTay63 03-17-08, 04:54 PM	FR Correction: Jets: Gnomes. Sharks: Swamplings. (4e Halflings);)
Rinonalyrna Fathomlin 03-17-08, 08:47 PM	-Why thank you. I have it all straightened out now. I'm so glad. Swamplings, LOL.
Meldread 03-20-08, 05:52 AM	Swamplings Here is a Swampling in 3E. (http://www.candlekeep.com/library/articles/halflings.htm)
Lord Karsus 03-20-08, 11:26 AM	-I guess Halfling circuses aren't original then...
MarkusTay63 03-20-08, 05:11 PM	I went to place that locale on my maps, and I realized something - The article makes NO sense! :eek: The guy who granted the Halfling the land was Khrulis, ruler of Airspur... a city that is one of the furthest away from the swamp! If it was a unified country, it might make 'some' sense, but each city is a citystate - why would one so far away have ANY say over what happens in the swamp? :confused: I did enjoy the research though; it seems that Airspur has a VERY large half-orc population, and traders from the Flaming Spike Orc Tribe are welcome in the city! Not to mention that Khrulis himself is a Halforc!!! More evidence for the other thread...
Rinonalyrna Fathomlin 03-22-08, 07:52 PM	shrug I guess you'd just change the name of the ruler to make it work? Or, tweak the actual story a bit.