Halfling

Blessed by Pandemos, god of luck and revelry, the experience of halflings—or—nir on ere is dramatically different from those of its other peoples. Even when the gods became remotes, the One Dice rolling’s influence and the confidence it inspired allowed halflings to be one of the few groups to not only survive but thrive outside of the protective walls that nurtured the others, leading their history to massively diverge from others.

Halflings are neither native to Ere, nor a Saints race. Instead, the halflings are descended from a group of humans who, upon arrival on Ere chose not to remain in the safe havens and new settlements set down for them by the Saints. Instead, they wanted to explore their new surrounds, learn about the alien environs, blaze trails and discover its secrets. They dubbed themselves the nir, which in their language means ‘one who ranges’.

Halflings are biologically human, but smaller through divine blessing. A mature nir stands between three and four feet tall and weights approximately 55 pounds. They have a denser bone and muscle structure than humans which makes them slightly heavier than they appear.

Skin tones extend through most of the human spectrum from very pale to deep brown, though the bluer tones associated with modern Chordini humans is extremely rare. Ninety percent of halflings have black hair with brown and shades of auburn making up the remainder. Halflings almost universally have brown eyes with rare instances of hazel as a familiar trait.

Game Statistics

Size: Small
Base Speed: 5 squares.
Languages: Common, Halfling, plus any one other Language

Small Size

Halflings gain a +1 species bonus to attack and a +2 species bonus to damage when wielding Small weapons.

If a halfling uses a Medium weapon, they do so as if it were one step larger in terms of handedness. Light weapons are one-handed, one-handed weapons are two-handed, halflings cannot wield Medium two-handed weapons.

Favored of Pandemos

The god Pandemos tips the cosmic scales in the favor of all halflings, whether they are his devotees or not. Halfings gain the Favored of Pandemos ability:

Hard Target

Halflings gain a +2 species bonus to AC vs attacks of opportunity.

Halfling Backgrounds

Nir-lumos Martial Training [Background, Halfling]

The caravan halflings have developed a martial tradition of ranged attacks, disabling their enemies, and brutal, efficient killing blows.

Benefit: You gain the following benefits:

• Gain Proficiency with Long Arms and Flexible weapons

• Gain Advanced Proficiency with the kukri.

• +2 species bonus to AC and CMD vs enemies larger than you.

• +2 species bonus to CMB to Trip, Grab or Grapple with Flexible weapons.

• Once per encounter, as a Reaction triggered by you taking damage from an attack, you may adjust 1 square.

Special: You may not take this feat if you have any feats with the words nir-ley or nir-latos in their names.

Nir-Lumos Magic Focus [Background, Halfling]

Caring for their family, animals and wagons are the main concerns among the caravan halflings.

Benefit: You gain gain the following benefits:

• Gain Anima Affinity

• Gain rejuvenation, least as a bonus spell.

• Whenever you cast a Healing spell, you may spend 3SP to have all allies adjacent to yourself or the target to regain HP equal to your CHA modifier.

• Once per day per tier, when you cast a spell that requires the target to spend a Vitality point, you may spend 5SP instead.

Special: You may not take this feat if you have any feats with the words nir-ley or nir-latos in their names.

Nir-ley Defensive Training [Background, Halfling]

When forced to fight, nir-ley prefer to keep their enemies at a distance.

Benefit: You gain the following benefits:

• Gain Proficiency with Polearms and Bows.

• When you move at least 2 squares, you gain a +1 species bonus to AC until the start of your next turn.

• You do not provoke attacks of opportunity if you leave an enemy’s threatened square by moving away from them.

Special: You may not take this feat if you have any feats with the words nir-lumos or nir-latos in their names.

Nir-ley Spellworker [Background, Halfling]

The nir-ley have abandoned the safety of caravans and now protect their villages by convincing the rest of the world they don’t exist.

Benefit: You gain the following benefits:

• Gain Akua Affinity as a bonus feat

• Gain snap veil as a bonus spell

• +1 species bonus to the DC of Akua spells, +2 if the spell has the Illusion keyword

• +2 species bonus to Spellcraft checks relating to Akua effects and rituals, +5 if the effect has the Illusion keyword

Special: You may not take this feat if you have any feats with the words nir-lumos or nir-latos in their names.

Nir-Latos Streetfighting [Background, Halfling]

On the city streets, halflings learn to deal out violence up close and personal.

Benefit: You gain the following benefits:

• Gain Proficiency with Small Blades and Unarmed attacks

• +1 species bonus to damage rolls with Small Blades and Unarmed attacks

• +2 per tier precision damage against opponents who are flanked, flat-footed or who grant you combat advantage

• Once per encounter as a Reaction triggered by an enemy missing you with a melee attack, you may make a Melee Basic Strike against the triggering enemy

Special: You may not take this feat if you have any feats with the words nir-lumos or nir-ley in their names.

Nir-Latos Hedgewizardy [Background, Halfling]

In many less advanced townships and small cities, fire is one of the greatest dangers. The halflings there keep that in mind when studying mysticism.

Benefit: You gain the following benefits:

• Gain any one feat with the Affinity keyword

• Gain one Array or Secret spell as a bonus spell known

• Start the game with any 3 first level rituals

• +2 species bonus to Spellcraft and Knowledge: Arcana checks

Halfling Exclusive Feats

Swift of Foot [Background, Halfling]

Keeping up with their taller neighbors has always been an issue for halflings. A few have taken this to heart and strive to do so literally.

Benefit: You gain +2 squares to your base speed.

Tallfolk Scavenger [Background, Halfling]

Many halfling communities don’t create their own tools and weapons, but use those created by their neighbors.

Benefit: You may use light and one-handed Medium weapons without the change in handedness.

Canid Companion [Background, Halfling]

Little is understood about the bonds halflings of all walks of life tend to form with canines of all types, but it is a very real phenomenon and the halflings raise exceptional beasts.

Benefit: Gain a wolf, fox or dog as an animal companion. That companion increases its stats as if you were one character level higher.