Can You Hang a Halfling?

[Numion]

I mean, yes, sure you can, but will the halfling die as a result?

The reasoning goes as following:

In 3E halflings are similarly proportioned to humans, but 1/2 the height. The ability of the neck to support weight is approximatively proportional to it's cross-sectional area, which is proportional to square of height, or 1/4th that of humans.

But, similarly porportioned objects mass is proportional to the cube of the height. So halflings weight should be roughly 1/8th of a humans. So, in a hanging a halflings neck that is 1/4th as strong as a humans has to support only 1/8th of the mass.

It follows that in a hanging, a halflings neck is subjected only to half the subjective stress a humans is.

What's your opinion? This is an important question, since my Paladin has instituted hanging as a penalty for thievery, and the little vermin are known for pickpocketing

 

[hong]

Clearly this is not a question that can be answered by casual inspection. Your paladin will have to carry out field experiments!

 

[Mortis]

Tie a big rock to the halflings legs.

Regards
Mortis

 

[Numion]

Clearly this is not a question that can be answered by casual inspection. Your paladin will have to carry out field experiments!

Yes, my Paladins Halfling Internment Gulag #1 can provide scores of test subjects.

 

[Darkness]

IANAE, but would it help to increase the force by using a somewhat longer drop/rope (relative to the halfling's size/weight, that is)?

 

[Torment]

Gee, your paladin sure is hardcore!

Hanging for pickpocketing, whoo.

 

[boolean]

Rich Burlew says no.

 

[rgard]

I mean, yes, sure you can, but will the halfling die as a result?

The reasoning goes as following:

In 3E halflings are similarly proportioned to humans, but 1/2 the height. The ability of the neck to support weight is approximatively proportional to it's cross-sectional area, which is proportional to square of height, or 1/4th that of humans.

But, similarly porportioned objects mass is proportional to the cube of the height. So halflings weight should be roughly 1/8th of a humans. So, in a hanging a halflings neck that is 1/4th as strong as a humans has to support only 1/8th of the mass.

It follows that in a hanging, a halflings neck is subjected only to half the subjective stress a humans is.

What's your opinion? This is an important question, since my Paladin has instituted hanging as a penalty for thievery, and the little vermin are known for pickpocketing

Forget the math. Been hanging halflings since 1E. They die just fine.

On a serious note, you don't need to snap the neck when the halfling drops. The noose will cut off blood circulation to the brain and the halfling will die...they just kick a little longer before the desired result. Either that or it is slow suffocation...I forget which it is.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[Shadowslayer]

What exactly is the in-game effect of hanging in your game? I'd look there first.

But then I'd say it'd be the same as for a human. Like Mortis said, if that doesn't do it for you, tie a big rock to his feet. Or burn him a the stake instead.

Or just cut his hand off. That way he can come back for vengeance...with a hook like a pirate.

 

[Henrix]

The traditional method for hanging humans with low weight is to increase the drop so that more momentum is gained, and/or increase their weight by tying rocks (or even strapping hidden lead weights on their body - human ingenuity at its best).

Slow suffocation is best left to impromptu hangings as it does not look good to the audience, and gives the hangman bad PR.