Once halflings were the masters of the world. In fact, during the Blue Age the halflings were the only intelligent beings on all of Athas. They were the original inhabitants of the world, and all human, demihuman, and humanoid races are descended from them. That said, today’s halflings bear little resemblance to their ancient forebears. Where once halflings filled the land in every direction, today they inhabit the slowly disappearing forests and jungles, like the Forest Ridge and the vertical forests of the Jagged Cliffs. Where once they were civilized masters of an advanced society, today they are feral, savage creatures as wild as the arid winds. They are more willing to eat a stranger in their lands than to welcome him.
Halflings grow to a height of 3 1/2 feet and weigh 50
to 60 pounds. They are muscled and proportioned like
humans, but they have the faces of wise and beautiful
children whose features never succumb to the rigors of
age. Ritual and custom control every aspect of halfling
life, and their culture is rich in art and song. Oral
tradition recounts the halflings’ mighty past, though it has
deteriorated to the point where memories seem but legend
and fable. Still, the deep and abiding respect for the
world that led the halflings of the Blue Age to sacrifice
themselves remains embedded in the halfling psyche.
The halflings care little for the things that motivate
other races. What good is gold or other currency to
halflings? They care more for an individual’s inner
well being and spiritual unity with his race and the
environment. Everything a halfling does is for the good
of his community and halfling culture as a whole. When
outside their own areas of control, however, halflings can
be tolerant of the lack of “civilization” they encounter.
Their language is made up of words and the sounds of
nature, making it very difficult for outsiders to understand.
Perhaps this is one reason why they are rare in human
society; they also die quickly in bondage. If they believe
themselves to be free, though, they will work for nobles
and sorcerer-kings.