D&D General My Problem(s) With Halflings, and How To Create Engaging/Interesting Fantasy Races

[doctorbadwolf]

But you seem to be somehow putting forth the idea that they can actively try and avoid being the focus of most adventures, which all usually start with "this unexpected bad thing is happening and we don't know why" or "we were completely caught by surprise by this bad thing"

You’re coming across as very obtuse, again.

Also stop changing what I’ve said. Respond to the actual words I say, or don’t reply to me.

Halflings avoid being the center or focus of major world events. That doesn’t mean they avoid helping when the demon lords attack. Those are, again, two separate ideas. If Neverwinter or Waterdeep or Baldur’s Gate or the Ten Towns or Cormyr are attacked, there are Halflings amongst the defenders, the farmers running to hole up in the local lords castle or within the city walls, the guild leaders pooling resources or bickering about who needs to do what, and the adventurers who try and fix the problem.

What they aren’t, is the focus of the event. Because the great cities that get attacked are human cities, the forest enclave that gets targeted by a demon is an elven enclave and the demon hates elves, etc. The other races seek out glory, power, legacy, and actively make enemies. They’re “proud nails”. The halfling communities aren’t, they don’t seek that stuff out.

Again, “focus” is not the same concept as “involved”.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

First level PCs are hardly powerhouses. But, yes, halflings as a group generally do the best they can to emulate Switzerland and not get involved. You may not be able to "wrap your head" around the concept of the quiet race that nobody expects much from having the rare few heroes rise up, and that's fine. Don't use them, but leave the archetype for those that want to roleplay the PC no one would expect. Not because their dark or edgy, not because there's prejudice against them because people fear them, but just because it's the quiet guy who up until that point was happy being a dishwasher.

Different strokes for different folks and all.

1000% this.

 

[Mind of tempest]

First level PCs are hardly powerhouses. But, yes, halflings as a group generally do the best they can to emulate Switzerland and not get involved. You may not be able to "wrap your head" around the concept of the quiet race that nobody expects much from having the rare few heroes rise up, and that's fine. Don't use them, but leave the archetype for those that want to roleplay the PC no one would expect. Not because their dark or edgy, not because there's prejudice against them because people fear them, but just because it's the quiet guy who up until that point was happy being a dishwasher.

Different strokes for different folks and all.

Switzerland is a very odd case in real life an utter anomaly assuming halflings are as common as it says then unless they all like in a very mountainous area they have no way of emulating it.

 

[Oofta]

Switzerland is a very odd case in real life an utter anomaly assuming halflings are as common as it says then unless they all like in a very mountainous area they have no way of emulating it.

They have little of value or interest yet fiercely defend their homes. According to MToF, their villages (if they live in villages) are also supernaturally difficult to find. They simply don't care much about material wealth so there's not much to steal.

It's kind of like bike locks. If a thief really wants your bike, they can probably get through your lock. Yet you still lock your bike up so they have to spend effort and if they are dead set on stealing a bike maybe they'll steal someone else's. That, and the halfling's bike looks like crap.

 

[Gammadoodler]

That, and the halfling's bike looks like crap.

That and unless you are morphologically similar to a small human child, that bike will be pretty tough for you to ride unless you enjoy hitting your knees on the handle bars.

 

[Mind of tempest]

They have little of value or interest yet fiercely defend their homes. According to MToF, their villages (if they live in villages) are also supernaturally difficult to find. They simply don't care much about material wealth so there's not much to steal.

It's kind of like bike locks. If a thief really wants your bike, they can probably get through your lock. Yet you still lock your bike up so they have to spend effort and if they are dead set on stealing a bike maybe they'll steal someone else's. That, and the halfling's bike looks like crap.

look all it seems is like a justification for why they are that way but more like it was covering a plot hole badly instead of figuring out proper integration.

it feels like they do not like the halflings and are just kinda forced to have them.

 

[Oofta]

look all it seems is like a justification for why they are that way but more like it was covering a plot hole badly instead of figuring out proper integration.

it feels like they do not like the halflings and are just kinda forced to have them.

It works for me. It's an analogy for the person that never gets noticed, the quiet one that just sticks to themselves, is never the center of attention. It's something a lot of people identify with.

It's not a plot hole if it fills the intended niche.

 

[Mind of tempest]

It works for me. It's an analogy for the person that never gets noticed, the quiet one that just sticks to themselves, is never the center of attention. It's something a lot of people identify with.

It's not a plot hole if it fills the intended niche.

you can't make a race of perpetual nobodies who never matter it defies the laws of nature in ways far more fundamental than the way magic does.

 

[Oofta]

you can't make a race of perpetual nobodies who never matter it defies the laws of nature in ways far more fundamental than the way magic does.

I don't see why not. It's a general tendency just like every other race has.

But you do you, I'm not going to argue about it any more.

 

[Mind of tempest]

I don't see why not. It's a general tendency just like every other race has.

But you do you, I'm not going to argue about it any more.

you find it such a good thing it makes no sense it breaks the suspension of disbelief.