Homebrew Haelfling Species Details

Keeron pulled the circular disc from it's housing and gently placed it on the floor next to the others, meticulously organizing their sequence. His eyes sparkled with intense focus as his deft fingers caressed and coaxed the next piece from it's cradle. Although the whirring and clicking of the mechanism ceased with the removal of first few pieces Keeron could still sense the tension and power emanating from the device, but he needed more! It was insufficient to simply know that this thing worked or did not work. He needed to know why and how! Somewhere stuck in the back of his thoughts, standing guard like a silent sentry, Keeron was slightly astonished that he hadn't been spotted performing his delicate surgery, but it wasn't unusual for him to go completely unnoticed. He was a small fellow compared to most other races and most unobtrusive.

A sudden SPRANG jarred his focus sharply back to the device as a coiled metal piece became loosed and shot like a sling off in an unknown direction. 'I must find that piece at some point', Keeron thought, but before he could pull himself up a head peaked over the counter with an expression of horror and anger brewing on its face.

"What are you doing to my CLOCK" the shop keeper whined, his tone rising in pitch with every word.

"Is THAT what this is?!" Keeron absently replied, more to himself then to the shop keeper who could barely hear him anyway since Keeron was already halfway out of the shop and bolting like a jack rabbit. 'I shall have to come back later and reassemble it!' , he thought to himself. He could hear the shop keeper bellowing behind him,

"Don't come back kid, dirty street urchin, GAH!"

 

A UNIQUE BLEND

 Haelflings (hail-flings) are rare individuals being a product of Halfling and Elf parents. Typically the Halfling parent embraces and rears the child while the Elf parent contributes at best in secrecy or at worst completely shuns the offspring. As a result Haelflings tend to be more Halfling like, however there are always exceptions where the child is abandoned completely or in very rare circumstances raised in an Elvish community.

  Considering how few Haelflings exist, there is no real 'average' when it comes to physical attributes but they tend to inherit a blend from both parents. The result is a slightly taller, heavier looking Halfling with over sized feet and hands, a slender gracious gate and slightly exotic features. They stand anywhere from 3 to 4 feet tall and weigh between 50 and 70 pounds. Hair, skin and eye color can range from very Halfling looking, to very Elvish looking or, more commonly, a combination of both. The only consistent features are pointed ears and fairly hairy feet, the latter of which Haelflings tend to hide by wearing shoes. When surrounded by larger races in common areas Haelflings are often mistaken for a human child of 10 to 12 years of age, a natural social disguise they use to their advantage!

  It is almost impossible to knock a Healfling over. The blended grace and dexterity inherited from their Halfling and Elvish parents gives Haelflings incredible mobility and stability! They also excel in manual dexterity using their hands and are often ambidextrous.

  Haelflings don't have a unique outward appearance. Blending in, like that of their Halfling heritage, comes naturally. They will adopt the fashion of their community as well as social graces and cultural habits. 

CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC AND ENIGMATIC

Like any half breed races Haelflings are aware of their differences and tend to play them down as to be better accepted into their surrounding society. They manage to retain the warm and friendly aspects of their Halfling heritage but their more patient aloof Elvish side builds in a healthy skepticism of all things new.  A 'glass half-full' philosophy still allows Haelflings to go into most relationships trusting easy and taking people at their words until proven otherwise. If trust is broken with a Haelfling, that lack of trust can be lasting and uncharacteristically bitter. It is said a Haelfling grudge is outshone by only that of a Dwarf. Depending on where and how a Haelfling is raised bias and prejudice from their community may pervade their outlook but even then they tend to judge according to actions and not predispositions. 

  Haelflings have a natural desire to understand how and why things work whether it is a puzzle, a piece of equipment or a process. If Halfling curiosity causes a Haelfling to look into things, Elvish patience and persistence makes them look even closer and in detail. Their keen analytical minds drive Haelflings to constantly want to improve upon things. As a result they lean towards any vocation that involves iteration and repetitiveness allowing for improvement with each attempt but avoid jobs that put them in the center of attention. Haelflings prefer to be the specialist behind the scenes; a helpful and respected part of any process but fitting comfortably into assistant or apprentice positions.

Much like their parent races Haelflings have a connection and affinity for all things in nature. They will never knowingly cause damage to natural surroundings and will endeavor to maintain natural balances.

WHERE WAS I.....?

Haelflings prefer to settle with the idea of adventuring being a luxury or even a waste of time. When they do strike out it is almost always the result of trying to expand their knowledge of something they stumbled over in another completely unrelated trip of necessity.  Considering how easily Haelflings get wrapped up or obsessively focused on the betterment of one thing, they can find themselves suddenly miles from home, in questionable company and wondering where the time went! Fortunately they live long enough to indulge such exploratory endeavors. They do inevitably find their way home.

QUIET AND OBSERVATIONAL

Haelflings prefer to approach other races cautiously, looking and listening before making a snap judgement but they do tend to like most races for what they are.

Dwarves.  "I could hang out in a Dwarven workshop forever! I just wish they wouldn't be so stingy when it comes to letting me play with their toys!"

Elves. "I love my Elvish heritage, even if they do tend to look down their nose at me. I can learn so much from them."

Humans. "I find myself relating to humans quite a bit. So much variety and diversity it's fairly easy to find an accepting group. If not accepting at least easy enough to hide among them"

 

HAELFLING NAMES

Names will vary depending on what culture a Haelfling was raised. Quite frequently, and unfortunately, a Haelfling will be given a moniker with a negative connotation. This is usually a middle or last name that brands them as unusual or outside the breeding norms. Unless the name is particularly pithy or grows on them, they rarely keep it once outside of their home environment. For example, a young male being raised in a Halfling community might gain the middle name Garret 'Boots' Tealeaf, indicating he covers his feet unlike other Halflings.

 

 

Haelfling Traits

Haelflings have the blended traits of Halflings and Elves but they tend to be less potent then their pure bread parentage.

Ability Score Increase.

Your Dexterity score increases by 2.

Age.

A Haelfling reaches adulthood at the age of 20 and can live well into a third or forth century.

Alignment.

Haelflings lean towards good alignments with their ethical side reflecting their community upbringing, although it is extremely rare to find either an evil or chaotic Haelfling.

Size

Haelflings stand 3 to 4 feet tall and weight between 50 and 70 pounds. Your size is small.

Speed.

Your base walking speed is 25 feet.

Haelfling Darkvision.

Although not as powerful as their Elvish parent, Haelflings do gain a slight ability to see in the dark. You can see in dim light within 20 feet of you as if it were bright light but have no visual advantages in complete darkness. Color and fine details are muted the darker it gets.

Fey Influence

Buried deep in your blood somewhere is a spark of Fey Ancestry. You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, however, unlike your Elvish parent you are quite normally susceptible to magical sleep. In fact, Haelflings are expert sleepers.

Curiously Oblivious

You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened. This is very similar to the Halfling brave trait with one minor exception. Instead of genuinely being brave in a frightening situation a Haelfling usually is so overcome by curiosity and analysis of the situation that he or she forgets to be afraid. 

Haelfling Nimbleness.

You can move through the space of any creature that is of a size larger than yours, are nearly impossible to knock down and are ambidextrous!

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common and either Halfling or Elvish depending on where you are raised. This second language can change to any of the rearing community.