Villages of Halfington

The Near and Far races refer to the place where the halflings have their villages as Halfington.

Halfington exists in a continental region of plains, small tree groves, and low hills. It is theoretically bounded by mountains, but they cannot be seen from the average village any more than a resident of Kansas City can see the Rockies or Appalachian Mountains.

The region is almost a garden in terms of its abundance. Famine is no threat to Halfington. Failing crops conjures no fear of death but rather concerns of dull food and discomfort.

Halflings enjoy a loose organization, bound by kinship and comfort rather than anything like nation-building.

Each village tends to be known for something, and often the name makes this clear. Teatown has grown up on low hills where excellent leaves can be gathered. Yellowstalk is surrounded by fields of wheat thriving in the fertile soil.

Some trade occurs when Halflings “go visiting” to keep up with their friends and families in nearby villages. But this is more of an informal exchange of gifts than a profession.

Villages like to be self-sufficient, and certainly don’t depend on trade for essentials. The village of Yellowstalk may produce a lot of wheat, and if it were to disappear suddenly it neighbors would miss its gifts but no famine would occur.

The Near Races

Fairies are part of the landscape of Halfington, but are not what you’d call familiar. The Fey live in the unseen parts of the land, and know it well. They know what the soil is like beneath the surface, where the bees have their hive, and where to get the components for their brilliant paints. They rarely actually speak to villagers, but if you can puzzle out their offerings, they’re worth understanding.

Dwarves come surprising distances from the mountains over the horizons, offering tools and metal parts in trade from their sturdy wagons and shaggy ponies. Some kind of hierarchy must exist among these Dwarven traders, as they are always interested in ‘proof’ of their visit to a particular village as well as the fruits of the land to take with them.

Elves are the most rare of all the Near Races, and only encountered about once a decade. Their home is known as The Deep Forests, and this name is synonymous with great and unpredictable power. If you have a problem but the Fairies have been angered, the Dwarves refused, and no other option exists — it’s time to try the Elves and hope you can pay the cost. Peculiarly, this is also often when they are found nearby, leading many to ask: Are they simply aware of these plights, or are they their cause?

The Far Races

Orcs. Goblins. Humans. Trolls. All these are rumored to exist in the world, but are far from Halfington. Dwarven traders sometimes tell stories of their wars and strife, but none have been seen in Halfington in generations.

Something seems to keep Far Races and their troubles away from Halfington. Many a grandparent can tell stories of how the Dwarven arts closed up the mountains or Elven magic powers put to sleep all forest intruders. Or that the Fey have hidden all of Halfington in thanks for the gift of a single acorn. These are all wonderful stories, but not what one would call a consistent answer.

Whatever the reason is that the Far Races are not found in Halfington, it seems to be a comfortable place in their absence.