# **The History and Origins of the Stout Halflings** Known to the ancient Flan as the _Hobniz_, halflings are a generally cheerful and pastoral people. However, the Stouts are a noticeably grittier, hardier subrace who have forged their own unique path. Like all halflings, the Stouts originated in the lush river valleys of the west-central Flanaess—specifically the Sheldomar, Fals, and Velverdyva basins—before spreading eastward during the Great Migrations. Unlike their Lightfoot cousins who settled in rolling plains and human agricultural lands, the Stouts migrated into the rugged hills and lower mountain ranges. Here, they found themselves living alongside the Dwur (dwarves). Over centuries of cohabitation, the Stouts adopted many dwarven customs and a highly militant tradition to survive the constant threat of goblinkind and hostile giants. Today, Stouts are the second most numerous halfling subrace, firmly established as fiercely loyal defenders of their hilly domains. > [!multi-column] Contents > >> [!example|wide-3]- Physical Appearance and Dress >> Stouts are usually slightly shorter than Lightfoots, averaging **just under 3 feet tall**, but they possess a much stockier build with broader features. Their skin ranges from ruddy to tan, and they typically have coarse, wavy, or curly brown hair. >> >> A unique physical trait among the halfling subraces is that **Stouts are the only halflings that regularly grow facial hair**, often sporting thick sideburns or coarse hair on their cheeks. Because they often work in mines or live in cooler, rocky environments, Stouts generally eschew the bare feet of the Lightfoots in favor of heavy leather boots. >> >> Their clothing is heavily influenced by dwarven and gnomish culture. They favor highly durable, utilitarian garments made of wool and leather, dyed in stolid colors like brown, green, tan, and gray, avoiding the bright, flashy yellows and greens favored by the Lightfoots. > >> [!note|wide-3]- Culture and Personality >> While they still share the fundamental good nature and love of comfort common to all halflings, Stouts are **far more industrious, pragmatic, and militant**. They do not shy away from hard labor, often working as miners, jewelers, and stonemasons alongside their dwarven neighbors. They are also highly formidable warriors when their homes are threatened, fighting with a ferocity that often surprises taller races. >> >> Stouts also share the dwarven appreciation for strong drink. While Lightfoots might sip a light cider, Stouts favor dark, heavily roasted brews like the creamy and thick **Ulekian Stout** or the potent dwarven **Skullsplitter** ale. >> >> Like all halflings, Stouts utilize highly informal naming conventions, identifying themselves by a confusing string of nicknames and pet names based on their deeds, hair color, or favorite clothing. > >> [!warning|wide-2]- Subgroups and Factions >> - **The Hollow Highlands:** A chain of hills that gained its name from ages of mining and burrowing. The Stouts here live alongside dwarven and gnome tribes; together, they swear fealty to the crown of Sunndi and are renowned for defending the land ruthlessly. >> - **The Good Hills:** Located in the Sheldomar Valley, this region is heavily mined and populated by a peaceful and prosperous union of hill dwarves, gnomes, and stouts. >> - **The Principality of Ulek:** This realm boasts a massive population of dwarves and Stouts who serve together in the heavy infantry and scout regiments, having pushed back humanoid hordes from the Pomarj. > >> [!summary|min-0]- The Halfling Pantheon >> While Stouts revere the primary halfling deities—**Yondalla** (the Provider) and **Cyrrollalee** (goddess of friendship, hospitality, and oathkeeping)—their martial culture places a heavy emphasis on **Arvoreen the Defender**. Arvoreen is the halfling god of defense, war, and vigilance, worshipped heavily by the "Guardians" who patrol the Stout burrow communities. >> >> Due to their close proximity to the Dwur, many Stouts also pay homage to **Ulaa**, the lawful good goddess of hills, mountains, and gemstones. --- ### **Playing a Stout Halfling Character** ##### **The Stout Mindset and Roleplaying Hooks** - **The Stalwart Guardian:** You are not a jolly, pipe-smoking farmer. You are a trained militia fighter who has held the line against orcs and goblins alongside dwarven shield-brothers. You take the defense of your kin very seriously and rely on your armor and axe as much as your stealth. - **The Deep Delver:** You appreciate the fine craft of stone and metal. You are far more comfortable in a subterranean tunnel or a bustling forge than you are in a quiet forest or a human city. ##### **Fighting Styles** While Stouts are fully capable of using the traditional halfling sling, they are much more likely to engage in close-quarters melee than other halflings. They favor reliable, dwarven-style weaponry sized for their small frames, such as the hand axe, short sword, and military pick. They frequently wear chain shirts or studded leather armor and are not afraid to use shields. --- # **Stout Halfling Racial Traits** > [!abstract] Overview > The **Stouts** are the dwarven-shaped branch of halflingkind — stockier, hairier, and far more martial than their Lightfoot cousins. Generations spent in the hills and mines of the Sheldomar have given them a poison-resistant constitution, an eye for stone, and the stubborn willingness to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Dwur against the hordes of the deep. --- ## Physical Description - **Skin:** Ruddy to tan. - **Hair:** Coarse brown, wavy or curly; **the only halfling subrace that reliably grows facial hair** (sideburns, cheek-hair). - **Eyes:** Brown or hazel. - **Build:** Stocky and broad; just under 3 feet tall, 40-45 lbs. - **Dress:** Durable wool and leather in earthy browns, greens, tans, and grays. Heavy leather boots (no bare feet). --- ## Stout Halfling Traits As a Stout Halfling, you have the following racial traits. - **Ability Score Increase.** Your **Dexterity** score increases by 2, and your **Constitution** score increases by 1. However, your **Wisdom** decreases by 1 — a lifetime of hard labor, dark tunnels, and heavy drinking leaves little room for philosophical reflection. - **Age.** A Stout reaches adulthood at age 20 and generally lives into the middle of their second century. - **Size.** Stouts average just under 3 feet tall and weigh around 40-45 pounds. Your size is **Small**. - **Speed.** Your base walking speed is **25 feet**. - **Darkvision.** Reflecting their life among dwarves, Stouts have superior vision in dim and dark conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray. - **Stout Resilience.** You have Advantage on saving throws against poison, and you have resistance to poison damage. - **Lucky and Brave.** 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. Additionally, you have Advantage on saving throws against being **Frightened**. - **Nimble.** You can move through the space of any creature that is of a size larger than yours. - **Stout Heritage.** Choose one specialized lineage based on your upbringing: - **Hollow Highland Defender:** You have been trained to fight alongside the dwarves of Sunndi. When you are wielding a melee weapon and are adjacent to an ally who is also wielding a melee weapon, you gain a +1 dodge bonus to AC and Advantage on checks to resist being knocked prone or moved. - **Iron Stomach:** You have spent your life matching dwarves drink for drink and hauling ore up a mine shaft before breakfast. You gain proficiency with **Brewer's Supplies** and the **Athletics** skill. You are also immune to the sickened or poisoned conditions caused by excessive alcohol consumption. - **Goblinoid Grudge:** Your community has clashed with goblins and kobolds for generations, and you've developed an instinctive awareness of their tactics. You gain proficiency in the **Investigation** skill. You have Advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks to hear or detect enemies approaching through underground passages, tunnels, or enclosed spaces. - **Languages.** You can speak, read, and write **Common** and **Halfling**. ---