Halflings

Halflings are an integral part of many human cultures, ingrained into the economic systems that move commodities and provide services. They are merchants at heart, haggling prices, establishing trade routes, and making an extra buck off of rubes that should have known better.

They originally come from the world Shea and at the time called themselves the Hin. Not much is known about this world, but many believe it was covered with green rolling hills, quiet brooks, and large pastures. Chances are this is a very idealized view of their homeworld, and the know it, but they see no harm in such beliefs.

During the Exodus to Aedra, it was the Hin that took the initiative to start trade between the various races, breaking down the walls of distrust and xenophobia. Thier native language become so prominent,it become the common language of most races. In essence, men speak Halfling.

Halfling Traits

Mirrorworld Halflings use the standard core racial traits from Player’s Handbook except for the following:

Languages: Besides Common, Halflings speak the Trader’s Tongue. This secret language allows its speakers to hide complex trade negotiations amongst simple innocuous small talk, similar to how Thieves’ Cant functions. Unlike the Thieves’ Cant, there are no formal code words; the speakers quickly agree on a lexicon of terms as negotiations open and carry on from there.

To outside listeners, two halflings could appear to be doing nothing more but passing the time talking about their garden or children, but in reality be in the midst of a highly valuable transaction involving rare commodities.

Subraces

Lightfoots: Lightfoot clans are wandering merchants that operate large caravans that travel the various trade routes of Aedra. They have a reputation for being involved in less than reputable goods and rarely stay in one location long.

Lightfoots do not like to enter into long term obligations and prefer to rely on verbal contracts.

Stouts: The Stout clans, unlike their Lightfoot brethren, like to stay put and deal in exports. Halfling villages will dot the perimeter of larger human kingdoms, producing high quality goods for trade. They are well known for the salted meats, cheeses, pipeweed, ales, baked goods, and clothing.

Stout halflings are renown for their exact trade contracts. A deal is not done until it’s on paper, signed and notarized.