Halflings are generally similar to their regular D&D counterparts as found in the Player's Handbook. They are small humanoids renowned simultaneously for their simple agrarian lifestyle and their incredible bravery in the face of danger.
Halflings resemble humans in many respects, though true to their name, they are only half the size, being around 3 feet tall and weighing only an average of 40 or 45 pounds. Some halflings have pointed ears, though not all do. Their skintone is akin to humans, as are their hair, though it tends to be wavy.
Nearly all male halflings were incapable of growing true beards, though many had long sideburns. Halfling hairstyles were often complex, with strands woven together or braided. Although halflings had an affinity for collecting valuables, they did not prefer to wear these on their person, instead preferring more comfortable clothing.
Halflings were by nature joyful and friendly in their dealings with others. Because they lived in a world where they were surrounded by larger creatures, halflings tended to avoid notice, often deliberately, or at the very least, acted cordial towards the larger races. Halflings appeared deceptively harmless, meaning they were often beyond the notice of enemies that might otherwise pose a threat to them.
The halfling mind was practical and halflings concerned themselves with their immediate surroundings. They took pleasure in simple things, with few aspiring to greatness in the same manner as humans.
Some halflings did become adventurers, but usually this was a practice taken up for reasons of necessity rather than personal drive. Because of their love for home and family, halflings made loyal and courageous allies, willing to put their own lives at risk for the sake of others.
While many halflings did not have the ambition for adventure that some races did, most preferred trouble to boredom; the race was notoriously curious. Halflings were courageous, more so than many races, and their daring was often difficult to match. Many halflings also had a strong appetite for food and drink as well as narcotics and clothing. Similarly, many halflings were enthusiastic collectors, and loved to hold on to possessions won through skill and daring.
Halflings were quick and dexterous humanoids, even given their size, with quick reflexes and an ability to recover easily from sudden danger. Halflings, who by and large had a strong force of personality, were also intensely courageous and were more likely to retain their valor than most other humanoids, even when under the effects of a spell or other power. Beyond this, halflings had what could be best described as a lucky streak, which made it less likely for them to be injured in perilous circumstances.
Halfling communities were tightly knit groups found around the world, usually near the settlements of other races. Most halflings didn't recognize the claims of kings or nobles as sovereign rulers but instead looked primarily to their family elders to guide them. This focus on bloodlines enabled halfling traditions to continue for millennia relatively intact. Halfling culture had a fondness for stories and legends and was rich in the oral tradition. So much care was put into the retelling of traditional stories and their preservation that halflings often unwittingly had access to lore about ancient and long-gone cultures or empires that others had long since forgotten about. Many halflings were able to recall some detail of the ancient past, though it was usually wrapped in the shrouds of legends.
Halflings appeared just as mysteriously as humans and around the same time period as well, during the chaos of the Realmshatter. Halflings and humans had lived together for thousands of years, and the halfling tendency to dwell in the regions dominated by other races was particularly true regarding human and dwarf societies. Halflings admired dwarves for their industrious nature and strong family ties, two qualities that resonated well in hin culture. Conversely, halflings possessed two traits dwarves valued highly, a knack for fitting in and the ability to make themselves useful.
In the modern day, they are found just about anywhere humans are found, nearly as widespread but with a smaller population. The most only-halfling communities are found in nothern Aurial within the Great Kingdom of Terros.
They have many subraces seen across the world of Abmarah:
Lightfoot Halflings. The most common type of halflings, Lightfoots (also known as Hairfeet) are so widespread in large part due to their famous wanderlust, which set them apart from other relatively sedentary halflings. Lightfoots are most comfortable living alongside other cultures, even adopting their cultural practices, right down to their deities. They use the Halfling (Lightfoot) statistics as presented in the Player's Handbook.
Strongheart Halflings. Also known as Stout Halflings, they are moderately shorter and stockier than their lightfoot kin. There was very little that could upset most stronghearts or corrupt them. Their outlook on life stressed cooperation above all else, with one's skill in teamwork being among the most valued of behaviors in their lands. Some races stereotyped them as being fat or lazy due to their sedentary nature and love of fine food. However, they were simply patient as well as very industrious. They use the Halfling (Stout) statistics as presented in the Player's Handbook.
Ghostwise Halflings. The most uncommon type of halflings, they were generally very concerned with family and clan. They do not experience as much wanderlust as other halflings, and had the unique ability to communicate telepathically and develop psionic powers. Ghostwise halflings were very elusive and were generally isolated from the outside world and often lived a nomadic life in clans. They use the Halfling (Ghostwise) statistics as presented in the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide.