Hobblings

Hobblings by Stone Gargoyle

Also referred to as hobbits, hobs, hobbles, hoblins, hobkin, halfkins, halfies and halflings, hobblings are believed to be docile, timid members of the faerie folk, but lacking any magical powers. They are comparatively small in number now compared to in older times. Hobblings are a rare sight in human settlements, preferring to remain in their villages their whole lives. It is their limited travels which have led the race to die out from inbreeding and disease. Only a handful of their villages of houses built into the surrounding terrain still remain in the Ophid Grasslands, but they are a rarity.
Hobbling legends say that they were created to serve the gods by planting trees, but then stole the map of creation and the rifts leading to different places and times, with their lack courage being a curse placed upon them to keep them contained. Their numbers may also be low due to their use as food by various predatory monsters. Only the rare hobbling will ever venture outside their villages, and usually only to go to nearby hobbling villages.
Most hobblings living among humans will take on traits of the people around them to overcome their docile nature. Due to the lack of adventures, anyone leaving the village for human settlements and returning is celebrated as a hero.
Hobblings delight in telling stories and making up games. They have a long oral tradition, and those able to write will act as scribes, each writing numerous books. The hobblings maintain a central library as a book repository for such creations known as the Scroll Mound, located in the central area of the Ophid Grasslands.
Stories of the hobblings' generosity abound, fueled by their friendly nature and continuous feasts. It is said a hobbling can eat all day long and still not be hungry, though with their fast metabolisms there is no such thing as a fat hobbling, at least not until they are well progressed in age.

Hobblings

Alignment: Good or selfish

Attributes: I.Q. 3d6, M.E. 3d6, M.A. 3d6, P.S. 3d6, P.P. 4d6+6, P.E. 3d6, P.B. 3d6, Spd 2d6+2 running.

Hit Points: P.E. +1d6 per level of experience.

S.D.C.: 10 plus bonuses from physical skills.

Average P.P.E.: 3d6

O.C.C.s Available to Hobblings: Any O.C.C. except magic. Most hobblings lean towards thief, merchant, scholar, squire or farmer.

O.C.C. Skill Notes: Add a bonus of +5% to rogue and espionage and wilderness skills, as well as masonry and carpentry. A -5% penalty applies to all Military Skills.

Horror Factor: Not applicable.

Physical Appearance: Hobblings are short, agile people with childlike expressions and youthfulness, and are often mistaken for human children. They have big feet for their size which are calloused from walking without shoes.

Size: 2 to 3 feet tall

Weight: 30 to 60 pounds

Average Life Span: 80+ years; some have lived up to 150.

Natural Abilities: Hobblings can eat three times their own weight in a day and not gain weight. They have a gift for farming and carpentry. Nightvision 90 feet.

Magic: Most hobblings prize magic items but fear it so much as to never dare study it.

Psionics: None.

Enemies: Giants, ogres, orcs, goblins, hob-goblins, kobolds and trolls.

Allies: Elves, humans, dwarves, faerie folk.

Habitat: Hobblings can be found throughout the Northern Wilderness and Ophid's Grasslands. Favorite Weapons: Knives and daggers, short sword, crossbow, sling.