Halfling

The origins of halfling ancestry are a mystery, though tales in halfling culture mention that their forbearers wandered far and wide before settling down into small pastoral communities.

Ancestral Traits

Your halfling character has a number of traits in common with all other halflings, regardless of culture.

Age. A halfling reaches adulthood at the age of 20 and generally lives into the middle of their second century.

Halfling Nimbleness. You can move through the space of any creature that is of a size larger than yours.

Lucky. When you roll a 1 on the d20 for an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll.

Naturally Stealthy. You can attempt to hide even when you are obscured only by a creature that is at least one size larger than you.

Size. Halflings average about 3 feet tall and weigh about 40 pounds. Your size is Small.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Cultural Traits

Lightfoot Halfling

Lightfoot halfling culture is warm and welcoming, placing value in hospitality and good neighborliness. Those who grew up among halflings often make good comrades and allies.

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2, and your Charisma score increases by 1.

Alignment. Halfling society also tends toward neatness, both in their physical spaces and in their social relations. As a rule, they are good-hearted and kind, hate to see others in pain, and have no tolerance for oppression. They are also orderly and traditional, leaning heavily on the support of their community and the comfort of their old ways.

Brave. You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Halfling. The Halfling language isn’t secret, but members of halfling culture are loath to share it with others. They write very little, so they don’t have a rich body of literature. Their oral tradition, however, is very strong. Almost all people in halfling societies speak Common to converse with the people in whose lands they dwell or through which they are traveling.

Sturdy Halfling

Source More Ancestries & Cultures, Copyright 2020, Arcanist Press LLP.

Sturdy halfling culture can be as warm and friendly as lightfoot halfling culture, but they often also adhere to dwarven cultural practices in addition to halfling ones.

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 2 and Constitution by 1.

Alignment. Halfling society also tends toward neatness, both in their physical spaces and in the social relations. As a rule, they are good-hearted and kind, hate to see others in pain, and have no tolerance for oppression. They are also orderly and traditional, leaning heavily on the support of their community and the comfort of their old ways.

Artisan Brewers. Sturdy halfling culture marks the passing of holidays and seasons with special brews of ale, stout, and spirits. From a young age, people raised in sturdy halfling culture sample these artisanal brews. You have advantage on saving throws against poison.

Tool Proficiency. You gain proficiency with the artisan’s tools of your choice: smith’s tools, brewer’s supplies, mechanic’s tools, or mason’s tools.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Halfling. The Halfling language isn’t secret, but members of halfling culture are loath to share it with others. They write very little, so they don’t have a rich body of literature. Their oral tradition, however, is very strong. Almost all halflings speak Common to converse with the people in whose lands they dwell or through which they are traveling.

Urban Halfling

Source More Ancestries & Cultures, Copyright 2020, Arcanist Press LLP.

Urban halfling neighborhoods spring up in large towns and cities with some regularity. Rather than living in grassy hills, tending their gardens, and puffing pipes, urban halfling communities hock wares at the market, grow networks of contacts and customers, and prefer snuff tobacco. Urban halfling communities tend to be who work hard and celebrate with as much intensity.

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 2 and Dexterity by 1.

Alignment. Urban halfling community members look out for one another, but they also recognize that each person has to work to support themselves and their kin as well. In general, those who grow up in urban halfling communities tend toward neutrality.

Artful Dodgers. Those who grow up in urban halfling neighborhoods surrounded by larger folk get used to getting out of way of others, either through agility or smooth words. You have proficiency in either the Acrobatics or the Persuasion skill.

Mercantile. You gain proficiency with your choice of artisan tools, usually studying under one of the guildmasters of the community and working to sell the guild’s wares at the market.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Halfling.