The Halflings of Autica are a hardy
race whose history they forged alone after the death of their creator
god, Roc, in the Origin War. Both sub-races are very distinct in their
culture, and while not openly hostile towards each other, most halflings
trust halflings of another sub-race only as much as they would a
dwarft, or human. There is little love lost between the societies. Most
Halflings are found on the Western continent of Rauquan, either in the
plains of Hiplea, or the vast desert of Rocfell.
Lightfoot: (Alternatively: Sandlings, Bhu-Jebbura)
The Lightfoot inhabit the deserts of Rocfell, the sea of sand and scorching heat created in the blast that killed Roc. They are a clever and personable people, and are world renowned in their mastery of coin and commerce. They are typically shorter than Stout Halflings, and value fine silks, linens and gold. Wealth is power in Lightfoot society, and they lack a central government, instead forming great desert cities ruled by Trade Princes. These Princes are not born into the role, and are typically the men or women that hold the most wealth in the city. Female rulers are still called Princes. If some threat appears that may be a risk to the entire country, these Trade Princes will convene, but this is a rare occurrence.
Lightfoot trade caravans are responsible almost entirely for the supply chains that run through most of Rauquan, with no proper deep water ports in the Dwarven territory to the north, most commerce runs through their cities. They are also entirely responsible for the supply of the southern keeps that sit on the border with the Salt plains of Brulos. Attempting to cross the desert without the aid of a Lightfoot envoy is a treacherous task that few undertake, and fewer survive.
The Lightfoot owe this mastery over the desert to their mount of choice, the "Geb-Bhu" or Great Beetles. These enormous insects stand as tall as a horse when their legs are submerged within the sand, or almost half again as tall when on hard pack. These beetles are perfectly adapted to travel in the desert, able to "glide" across the dunes by submerging their legs and burrowing through the loose sand. Evenly tempered and easy to train, they make perfect mounts and pack beasts for the caravans. Only the Lightfoot know the secret to breeding them, and it is one they guard fastidiously. They are the source of the name the Lightfoot prefer to call themselves, Bhu-Jebbura, which means "Beetle Kings".
Stout:
The Stout halflings are denizens of the rolling plains of Hiplea, to the north of the great desert of Rocfell. They were the warrior caste of the Halflings, before the end of the war, and without a god left to call their own, they have turned to the ritual worship of battle itself.
The Stout are the tallest of the halfling subraces, and are typically more muscular as well. Even at rest, most Stout will wear leather or hide armor, and they are rarely out of arms reach of a weapon. They are not excessively violent by nature, and undisturbed will drink and whore a night away in peace. They are prickly of their honour though, with even slight insults being typically met with challenges for combat.
The Stout are largely nomadic, forming large Khalisates, headed by a Khan. This Khan acts as supreme ruler of his Khalisate, as well as battle commander and champion. To sit behind in a battle if considered an act of cowardice, and as such, turnover for the position of Khan is high.
This is not to say the Stout are not formidable warriors. They are among the best horse riders and trainers in Autica, and their acrobatic fighting style strikes terror in their enemies. The Khalisates subsist largely on raiding and tribute. Most of the larger Khalisates have tentative peace agreements with the Lightfoot Trade princes, and the Dwarven territories, agreeing to only prey upon the more savage races and beasts in exchange for plentiful tribute when they pass.
This was not always the case, and during the Golden Tyranny, a war was waged long between the Khalisates of Great Perrin Khan and the Dwarven King Ectumus III. This bloody war ended with the death of the dwarven king when Great Perrin Khan defeated him in single combat and the seizing of their capital. If the Great Khalisate had not fell to infighting among it's Khans after the death of Great Perrin Khan, the dwarves would still be paying tribute to him.
While there are more divine worshipers among the Stout than the Lightfoot, they are typically of a very specific sect. The Warcasters revere the art of battle and the dance of combat. They are master tacticians, and most large Khalisates will typically employ several. Not simple fighters, these Warcasters beliefs grant them divine power, and facing them in combat is no easy task. The terrifying war chants they lead as the Khalisate descends on a foe has given some the habit of calling Stout Halflings "Screamers", though it would be unwise to call them that to their face.
(All the physical characteristics of the Halfling race and subraces remain the same as listed in the Players Handbook 5.0, with one exception, both Stout and Lightfoot haflings are considered proficient in the riding of mounts, and Stout halflings have advantage when performing any acrobatics check while on horseback.)
Lightfoot: (Alternatively: Sandlings, Bhu-Jebbura)
The Lightfoot inhabit the deserts of Rocfell, the sea of sand and scorching heat created in the blast that killed Roc. They are a clever and personable people, and are world renowned in their mastery of coin and commerce. They are typically shorter than Stout Halflings, and value fine silks, linens and gold. Wealth is power in Lightfoot society, and they lack a central government, instead forming great desert cities ruled by Trade Princes. These Princes are not born into the role, and are typically the men or women that hold the most wealth in the city. Female rulers are still called Princes. If some threat appears that may be a risk to the entire country, these Trade Princes will convene, but this is a rare occurrence.
Lightfoot trade caravans are responsible almost entirely for the supply chains that run through most of Rauquan, with no proper deep water ports in the Dwarven territory to the north, most commerce runs through their cities. They are also entirely responsible for the supply of the southern keeps that sit on the border with the Salt plains of Brulos. Attempting to cross the desert without the aid of a Lightfoot envoy is a treacherous task that few undertake, and fewer survive.
The Lightfoot owe this mastery over the desert to their mount of choice, the "Geb-Bhu" or Great Beetles. These enormous insects stand as tall as a horse when their legs are submerged within the sand, or almost half again as tall when on hard pack. These beetles are perfectly adapted to travel in the desert, able to "glide" across the dunes by submerging their legs and burrowing through the loose sand. Evenly tempered and easy to train, they make perfect mounts and pack beasts for the caravans. Only the Lightfoot know the secret to breeding them, and it is one they guard fastidiously. They are the source of the name the Lightfoot prefer to call themselves, Bhu-Jebbura, which means "Beetle Kings".
Stout:
The Stout halflings are denizens of the rolling plains of Hiplea, to the north of the great desert of Rocfell. They were the warrior caste of the Halflings, before the end of the war, and without a god left to call their own, they have turned to the ritual worship of battle itself.
The Stout are the tallest of the halfling subraces, and are typically more muscular as well. Even at rest, most Stout will wear leather or hide armor, and they are rarely out of arms reach of a weapon. They are not excessively violent by nature, and undisturbed will drink and whore a night away in peace. They are prickly of their honour though, with even slight insults being typically met with challenges for combat.
The Stout are largely nomadic, forming large Khalisates, headed by a Khan. This Khan acts as supreme ruler of his Khalisate, as well as battle commander and champion. To sit behind in a battle if considered an act of cowardice, and as such, turnover for the position of Khan is high.
This is not to say the Stout are not formidable warriors. They are among the best horse riders and trainers in Autica, and their acrobatic fighting style strikes terror in their enemies. The Khalisates subsist largely on raiding and tribute. Most of the larger Khalisates have tentative peace agreements with the Lightfoot Trade princes, and the Dwarven territories, agreeing to only prey upon the more savage races and beasts in exchange for plentiful tribute when they pass.
This was not always the case, and during the Golden Tyranny, a war was waged long between the Khalisates of Great Perrin Khan and the Dwarven King Ectumus III. This bloody war ended with the death of the dwarven king when Great Perrin Khan defeated him in single combat and the seizing of their capital. If the Great Khalisate had not fell to infighting among it's Khans after the death of Great Perrin Khan, the dwarves would still be paying tribute to him.
While there are more divine worshipers among the Stout than the Lightfoot, they are typically of a very specific sect. The Warcasters revere the art of battle and the dance of combat. They are master tacticians, and most large Khalisates will typically employ several. Not simple fighters, these Warcasters beliefs grant them divine power, and facing them in combat is no easy task. The terrifying war chants they lead as the Khalisate descends on a foe has given some the habit of calling Stout Halflings "Screamers", though it would be unwise to call them that to their face.
(All the physical characteristics of the Halfling race and subraces remain the same as listed in the Players Handbook 5.0, with one exception, both Stout and Lightfoot haflings are considered proficient in the riding of mounts, and Stout halflings have advantage when performing any acrobatics check while on horseback.)
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