Dungeons and Dragons Lore: Halfling Culture and Religion

[@DungeonDad]

Quarterlings or Eighthlings next please

[@PlanetZoidstar]

I like how Bilbo, the original Hobbit/Halfling, is eccentric in that he lives by himself and doesn't associate with his family or neighbours much. Rather than being the template D&D Halflings take their behaviours from. Sam seems more like your typical D&D Halfling in he becomes a family man later.

[@adreabrooks11]

Before 5e, D&D tended to write what was typical of a race - with the expectation that player characters are exceptional, and therefore "weird" by definition. One might be playing a Bilbo or Merry, but the far more numerous NPCs tended to be Sams and Fatty Bolgers - and the setting material helped to support that.

[@robertwilson2516]

I am currently reading the Return of the King and have already finished The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Ring,and The Two Towers and the parallels are astonishing. If Tolkien had lived to read these he would probably be Happy to see the influence he has made to the world. A toast to the Father of High Fantasy.

[@johnisaacfelipe6357]

Conservative hogwash

[@eliezercohengoldberg1381]

John Isaac Felipe ???? Imagine hating Tolkien for being right wing

[@reapersritehand]

Yea to bad his family/ estate didn't feel the same way and sued tsr so they changed the name from hobbit to halfling

[@selenium3447]

He actually sued them for using the word hobbit in the eariler versions I think

[@reapersritehand]

@@selenium3447 after that lawsuit and a couple others all you do was say "hey that's my ip" and he'd change it

[@spare5808]

Mate, I'm loving this cosy home talk, it's making me feel good about having to self-isolate.

[@AJPickett]

I know right?

[@destonlee2838]

The pantheon localization and modes of worship you've described remind me of my time in Japan, visiting various shrines. Stop at any one long enough and a reverent and happy person will arrive and say some words of reverence or leave an offering of incense. Two visitors may have very different takes on the meaning of history of the shrine. It is always very personal And direct.

[@Greenscyth22]

What a trip it must be to be adventuring with the avatar of a halfling deity and not know until they show off their prowess. Imagine being a newbie rogue in a local thieves guild and you end up teaming up the avatars of Brandobaris, Garl Glittergold, and Olidammara of the ultimate heist.

[@CidGaius]

Just a constantly bewildered rouge who wonders why they’re even there, until they reach that epic moment where they discover why and why they’re there with the rouge..

[@michaelkelligan7931]

That image at 3:31 is of the elf maiden Goldberry,Tom Bombadils wife from Lord of the Rings. I believe its from one of the Hilderbrandt brothers(great artists) if i'm not mistaken out of the old LOTRs calandar from either 1975 or 1976....the artwork in those were fantastic. I owned those! That brings back very deep and cherised memories A.J. 😊 I thank you. It means a lot to me!

[@Im-Not-a-Dog]

The concept of Halfling paladins makes me laugh. “I am Gerald Farris, Paladin of Domnal, Halfling God of Skipping Stones!”

[@AJPickett]

You ever get knocked out by a thrown stone and have a scar on your head for the rest of your life to remind you? No, I thought not *rubs head*

[@Im-Not-a-Dog]

AJ Pickett Actually, my good sage, I have one on the inside of my right eyebrow near the bridge of my nose from a rock fight as a kid. Domnal was laughing at my dumb young ass that day.

[@krispalermo8133]

Many kender and halfings from other world follow " Fizban. " A.K.A. " Paladin " the Platinum Dragon. The Red Wizard.

[@Mare_Man]

Perhaps less amusing when you consider that a Hobbit invented the game of golf by sending the head of an orc flying with a single swing of a club

[@Randomdudefromtheinternet]

Slingers back in the day were sometimes even preferred to archers, that's how deadly a slinger is (unfortunately D&D and everyone else forgets that)

[@AmigoRoberto]

Thank you Professor. Pt1 of the video regarding the pantheon painted a vivid picture of the upper planes in my head that I had not considered before.

[@TKDxxxward]

Amazing Mate! Just what you need to just chill out with when the world is falling apart

[@finnmcool2]

I love the idea of a devout halfling showing up to a shrine with some pointed questions about their cucumbers.

[@icod.2076]

This series really gave me a new appreciation for haflings.

[@russianbot_0174]

A Halfling Caravan is called a Wheeled-Burrow.

[@seamusfish7009]

Here wuz Seamus! Seamus is bored in quarantine. Seamus decided to record like crazy. ...Seamus recorded a music album in a day... Seamus is gonna post it tomorrow. So how's it been for everyone? Is everyone staying healthy?

[@AJPickett]

So far, so good.

[@LilacMage]

Home schooling daughter is a thing now. How Im gonna do the shores when she is doing school stuff and should not be distracted? XD itl work out. :)

[@seamusfish7009]

@@LilacMage glad to hear you're both keeping well! Focus as best ya can and stay safe

[@JayLeePoe]

_break the glass and smash the plates; that's what Bilbo Baggins hates, so carefully, carefully, with the plates_

[@brightglory5734]

I've watched this atleast a dozen times now and it's enjoyable every time.

[@brightglory5734]

But what about second breakfast?

[@mariasmith2198]

Halflings aren't really Hobbits, are they?

[@tatsusama3192]

This video went great with jelly beans. . . Don't know why - Haha, Halfling Pantheon member: Jeff, God of Biscuits

[@johntheherbalistg8756]

All of his videos go good with coffee, though

[@Im-Not-a-Dog]

And some nice crispy bacon.

[@dbensdrawinvids8390]

I was in a city-based campaign once where we played halflings as that kind of New York Italian-American stereotype, with all the pros and cons that entails, only minus the Mafia connections. I played a human bard whose attitude and height had him constantly confused for a tallfellow.

[@michaelkelligan7931]

Why wouldnt they have "mafia" connections. They have powerful theives guilds with many connections! 😁

[@dbensdrawinvids8390]

@@michaelkelligan7931 Because *we* were the Mafia.

[@michaelkelligan7931]

@@dbensdrawinvids8390 lol just battle their "family" then! Lots of mob families. 😁

[@cameronmurrell-byrd7738]

Halflings are so cool, they really are one of the most purely good races in the dnd universe

[@dragonballtalk8527]

Ain't much into halflings but now I know more about them

[@nightsage217]

It's truly nice feeling when finding the deities of halflings are as chill and respectful they can be. Ran a stout halfling character called Tobby Wizzbanger; a valor lore Bard dedicated to collect halfling's oral history across the lands (aka drinking till stupor) Also occasionally helping adventurers by hurling fire bolt, none stop healing, counter-spell every bosses and insisting summon a llama as steed to DM's dismay.

[@krispalermo8133]

I played a Stout halfing bard/ cleric 30 years ago back in the 1990's, I had the book Tomb of Magic ( TOM) there was a 2nd-level wizard spell called Metamorphosis Liquids. His special nack was Turning Water into Beer. !

[@nightsage217]

@@krispalermo8133 Best party trick ever!

[@Noisius]

Ah yes, eating hangover sausage after morning coffee and smoke and pretty wife gardening the herbs. Halfling life is good.

[@Mortablunt]

"Uploaded 1 minute ago" ??!?? I should have been notified 59 seconds ago!

[@supercalifragic1551]

I strongly dislike oversized heads. My halflings are always normally proportioned, just halfsized. Gnomes can have larger heads though, with stockier bodies.

[@luisvazquez4397]

Lol. Don't call me a PECK!

[@jbsayno]

Ahhh halflings.. they really are the best of us aren't they

[@tfjohnson55]

Not for basketball

[@Disrupted_SP]

Truly the wholesome race. very heartwarming

[@chazzwozzio]

In my setting halflings are actually half plant half animal (thus halflings) their skin is photosynthetic and the "hair" on their feet is actually a vestigial root structure. so theoretically they don't need food but because they have a keen sense of smell and taste cooking and eating are just very enjoyable hobbies. And due to their affinity to plants they can cultivate almost anything with relative ease. Just as a gnome can build clockwork or a dwarf forge metal.

[@aubreyackermann8432]

Halflings would probably make wonderful charioteers. They're light, dexterous, and accurate with ranged weapons.

[@mudshrooze]

Halflings have always been my favorite offical playable classic race Though I tend to prefer playing humanoid monsters

[@victorvaldez8869]

Halflings are FAR more fearsome on Eberon, where Halfling Barbarians frequently ride mounted ... ATOP RAPTORS! That's right picture Frodo riding on one of the Utah Raptors from Jurassic Park charging with a spear. On an unrelated note I had an idea for a "Dire Halfling" character like Captain Carrot Ironfonderson from Discworld. This "Dire Halfling" is actually human, but the Halflings who adopted him never had the heart to tell he was adopted, he figured it out eventually but they still joking call him the "Dire Halfling" which he light heatedly accepts & uses with anyone else he meets.

[@krispalermo8133]

I read some where, after the fall of the last Ice Age, where dire wolves and bears die out, only the Dire Ape remain. The dire ape is called " humans." Can you think of any other animal on the planet that hunt bears for sport ?

[@reapersritehand]

Lol if you the eberon halflings are fearsome you stay away or check out the dark sun halflings

[@Damienx247]

"Blessed are the cheesemakers."

[@MrCSeay]

I really like this video, it gives you a whole new look on halflings. Some of the things you said such as they would be the finest clockmakers surprised me as I would imagine that would go to gnomes. Can you do a general gnome video like this?

[@AJPickett]

I did.

[@MrCSeay]

@@AJPickett yeah after posting that I went and looked. I forgot that you did One two years ago

[@gabriellamarsi1139]

I'd known I want to play a halfling as a gut feeling, but the way I kept exclaiming with delight at almost every second sentence was a slight, although very pleasant, shock.

[@thehillz726]

Would a halfling that lives in a mobile home like a houseboat or a cart call it a wheel- burrow? Also would a halfling make a good hedge mage or illusionist?

[@AJPickett]

Still calls it a burrow and yes, they can do anything they set their minds to.

[@wanderdragon1075]

I’m late, but this Halfling hedge wizard idea sounds amazing

[@thehillz726]

@@wanderdragon1075 lean heavy on the rustic cottage core

[@Mare_Man]

So Halflings have something like Shinto blended with aspects of some old Germanic or Celtic religions? That fits surprisingly well with the Little Folk.

[@OneWorldHistory]

Gandalf, in the movies, on halflings.. (remember, this is a minor angel talking), “Perhaps it’s because I’m afraid, and he gives me courage.”

[@tonyromasco1735]

I often model them after the traditional American "New York Jew" Brooklyn accent "Sit down! Have some Kugel! (As they hand you a dish of noodle pudding). Tell us all about your adventures with our son! He never writes! His father and I worry about him all the time. We paid for his clercal training hoping he'd be a great healer, BUT NO! You had to be a big adventurer, didn't you! A FORTUNE, PISSED AWAY! But enough about me. Tell me what our boy has been up to!"

[@BasedBroad]

that's cute af

[@patricegdc]

the sloth piggyback is reallyyyy funny , that hafling smoked some herbs

[@chriscalvin5083]

Good video AJ

[@alecdickens1042]

Playing a halfling monk in 5E. You know how awesome it is that halfling luck means none of Flurry of Blows' attacks can be a 1?

[@remotecontroller]

As a gnome, the idea of halfling clocks being the best is highly offensive.

[@AJPickett]

Meal breaks are very important to my people.

[@MrHartsen]

We're playing Halflings at a french LARP in which there is no "official" lore of halflings yet and we are thinking about building one so this video, good fellow, is gold to us - or would I say, like a plentiful mushroom corner.

[@AJPickett]

Mmmmm mushrooms *drool*

[@mariasmith2198]

THANK YOU!!! This is so nice with everything going on in the real world. wow. Halflings seem like ideal people. Too bad we don't have anyone like them in the real world.

[@AJPickett]

This pretty much describes exactly what it is like living in the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand, I call it "The Real Shire".

[@supercalifragic1551]

They sound a whole lot like Mormons. Just exchange worshiping individual spirits with thanking God for the same individual things.

[@adamhaas2760]

Thanks so much for the video on my favorite race. I’ve been playing a Halfling cleric of yondalla for about 9 years and I love seeing the littlefolk get some attention once in awhile.

[@rozu7772]

So, what you're saying is, Halflings have a god for potatoes? I'm using that.

[@Im-Not-a-Dog]

Rozu777 His name is Halim Spud-Spawner, he has short curly brown hair and wears a robe made from potato skins. His holy symbol is a golden shovel. In villages where he’s worshiped, he has a holiday on the first day of Winter after the end of the potato harvest called Tater Day, that is celebrated in a festival featuring games and events like “Bobbing for Taters”, “PotatoSack Races”, “Hot Potato”, “Capture the Tater”, and a “Tater Fight” in which participants form two teams that then pelt each other with small potatoes, either throwing them or firing them from slings, until one side yields. The festival culminates in a feast featuring a multitude of potato dishes, as well as beer and alcohol made from potatoes.

[@rozu7772]

@@Im-Not-a-Dog Truly, a great and glorious diety! Thank you divine canine-shaped messenger.

[@That80sGuy1972]

Great video AJ. Personally, my favorite type of Halfling to play is a Stout boxman (thief specializing in locks and mechanical stuff). His personality is usually somewhere between Halfling and Dwarf, living as an adventurer because of his wanderlust. I also have, based upon something I read as a kid (I forget what, I read a lot), Halfling food. Their dairy and baked products are as such that they, once they hit your stomach, make you thirstier but it's twice as filling and nutritious. They are also borderline preserved in resistance to the elements. They almost make dairy and baked goods as "superfoods". If I can remember where I read about it, what work of fiction, the halflings traveling together had some kind of bread that did that, I'd reply to this comment with it. That inspired me to add that nugget to halfling culture in my campaigns. I haven't read whatever that was since the 80s. It was a book. Too many of my memories are in bits and blended together since then.

[@raymondking214]

Me, I like the "mini Ranger". A Halfling Scout specializing in composite short bow and trap making skills. Built correctly, and you will be frustrating your DM before you know it. Add in some poison handling and nature lore skills ...Damn near unbeatable.

[@That80sGuy1972]

@@raymondking214 That sounds awesome!

[@AzraelThanatos]

It's not up anymore, but with DDO, there was a story that used to be about an interaction between halflings, one from Faerun and the other from Ebberon, the Faerunian halflings probably view their counterparts as crazy there, or at least the Talenta with their masks, nomadic lifestyle, and dinosaurs... Most halflings don't have much in the way of calvary, though at least in 3.5 there was heavy mention of trained halfling skirmishers trained on wardogs that would aid in hit and run tactics against larger enemies...and then you, again, have the Talenta who kind of take the Paraworld approach with armed mounts as the core of their force with only a few in combat unmounted in a fight if at all possible, and those ones tend to have swarms of smaller dinosaurs with them.

[@bluecollarcanuck]

Nice intro art with the study & desk. Could use a Pseudodragon, though, perhaps chasing after some small critter. ;)

[@AJPickett]

They tend to eat all my semi-precious stones. Anyway, a Pseudodragon is not a pet, it is a lifestyle.

[@Telamont]

Dammit AJ.... Now I need to work a Halfling town into the early part of the campaign I'm working on.

[@maddawg69]

Though I’ve only recently been introduced to the greater D&D universe and lore, I’ve realized that I enjoy and relate to the Halflings. In other fantasy I tend to favor Dwarfs/Dwarves but Stout Halflings are essentially the perfect combination.

[@thekaxmax]

So the Halfling gods have unionised to match the power of the Big Gods.

[@spinjack05]

I love this video (being someone who is fascinated by both culture and religion around the world), and a thought struck me. Would the closest comparison the the Halfling religious practices we have would be the Japanese Kami: those being local embodiments of positive natural phenomenon that are appeased by prayer and observances (this explanation is cribbed from a video by Gaijin Goombah), that are then ruled by an overarching level of Higher Beings?

[@jamestitus472]

It also seems like ancient Roman religion before the imperial age. The house gods were much more important than the powerful deities of the state. Vesta was one of the most important, as goddess of the hearth.

[@joshythehand2960]

My home is brick.. but I live in the Ozarks next to the Arkansas river. This area is one of the biggest watersheds in the world. And the greenest place in the continental U.S.. with literally thousands of streams and small rivers.. huge fields full of wild flowers, jungle like thick forest surrounding our uber green cleared land.. I swear it looks exactly like the shire..

[@jeremykiahsobyk102]

When we visited my wife's family in Arkansas, I told her cousin about the forest fires we were having in Colorado. He looked at me like I'd grown a second head...he had never heard of such a thing lol.

[@joshythehand2960]

@@jeremykiahsobyk102 yep. It's very humid here in the summer as well. We simply don't get a lot of dead tinder. Of course.. they are fairly astringent about doing low, controlled, burns here as.well.

[@Zasek2112]

I wonder what a Halfling master cheesemaker could do with the well preserves body of a Myconid. It may be a rare and highly sort after commodity.

[@AJPickett]

I'm not sure they would do anything with it, aside from yell at whoever put it on their spotlessly clean kitchen bench.

[@Zasek2112]

@@AJPickett It might be more of a dwarf cheese. I'm thinking they'd infuse a hard cheese the same way you might a log to grow mushrooms.

[@flameartsalamander6867]

Hearing about this race makes me love this race they are awesome! I can’t believe I didn’t consider them before

[@jamesstrength21]

Absolutely amazing video!!! All of your videos are top notch, but this one is a personal favorite.

[@trajanfidelis]

Great video as always AJ! Did you ever do a video series on the Faerun deities?

[@AJPickett]

Eventually, I mean, a large part of this video is about Faerun deities.

[@jasonulysess3652]

Hello KZbin algorithm please be nice to a content creator I enjoy.

[@lordgiblets7585]

I'd like to see a future D&D/MtG crossover visit Lorwyn, as halflings are quite similar to the kithkin race from that plane, except there are several notable differences.

[@zmishiymishi5349]

Boy halflings are fun to play

[@alecdickens1042]

One of the members of my party is a frost giant. I am a halfling. Suffice to say, the giant might as well be my noble steed XD

[@therealGibralter]

I really want to go to a halfing party now.

[@thehillz726]

Their faith reminds me of the syncretism that Romans used to identify forin gods and Asian folk religions that are rolled up with daoism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Shinto.

[@AJPickett]

Shinto in particular.

[@briandhaze5906]

AJ, do you have a video on Valley Elves? They're my favorite.

[@AJPickett]

I have not covered elves yet (aside from the Drow)

[@briandhaze5906]

AJ Pickett looking forward to more!

[@raymondking214]

Sorry, but " OHMYGOD, My Cooshee is just so Bithchen. It's like, so tubular, ya know?"

[@briandhaze5906]

Raymond King I’m in tears. Killer burn.

[@raymondking214]

Sorry, had to, couldn't help myself.

[@nullvoid4063]

Good news AJ, I got the notification *on time*! There might be hope for KZbin yet. Maybe.

[@MrBubbydoo]

Wonderful vid. Love playing Halflings.

[@AJPickett]

Same here!

[@alexas1173]

Great video. I'm prepping an adventure for my spouse's halfling character to return to her hometown, thanks for the inspiration.

[@brightglory5734]

My theory, "Little Man" was a Kender.

[@dragonlord498]

their is a certain amount of logic to that given the little man's behavior and his specific tale would make sense if he was a kender demi god or such and he helped found regions were his people could safely live long term while kender and such still have the initial nomadic instincts of the ancient halfings strongly in them still same with the adventurous halflings

[@zacharygadzinski3147]

After Halfings I guess Gnomes are next.

[@AJPickett]

Done

[@Realmweaver257]

This made me want to re-read/ watch the hobbit and also gave me some inspiration for my next character ^_^

[@BilboBaggMan]

My favorite race to play ever since I watched the hobbit 1977

[@moonlightinthegarden6216]

great job!!!!

[@bogfortsschoolofsorcery2907]

Good job at describing rural NZ!

[@Anacronian]

And then there is Monteron...

[@davidjarkeld2333]

In Greyhawk the Suel hunted and ate halflings

[@davidfletcher6703]

The female halfling rogue with the bow is how I picture a perfect example of of a well proportioned halfling woman

[@AJPickett]

In a corset, but yes

[@Rebomor]

I definitely want to know more about this “Glarin” material *spelled wrong I’m sure*.

[@reapersritehand]

Same here

[@adrenalineunlimited]

So you're telling me that Rosie Beestinger's attitude towards Gods is normal for a halfling? Wow. Shout out Kate Welch.

[@thehillz726]

I like to think that the various names of each god are actually relietives of the og god filling in for them. Like siblings And children. Would make sense that the halfling gods had big families

[@OmusKnowsAll]

Halfling culture is best culture.

[@graemecollin]

Did the next halfling video ever appear?

[@Scortch-lo3xy]

ya know i would normally ask when the Glasya vid is, but just for you AJ, i wont :)

[@Emil-Tiger02]

Yay!

[@mite2531]

Thank you for the taste lore 🎉

[@thehangryphalangite739]

Of course AJ is fascinated by the cheesemakers smh

[@AJPickett]

Hey, I didn't even mention Mead.

[@thehangryphalangite739]

@@AJPickett I didn't even know about that vice lol

[@AJPickett]

@@thehangryphalangite739 I may, or may not, have two 3 gallon bottles of it brewing in my closet, right at this moment...

[@thehangryphalangite739]

@@AJPickett For introducing me to DnD and the best type of giant at once, I'll keep your secret safe

[@AJPickett]

@@thehangryphalangite739 Fire Giants right?

[@joenathan8059]

I am torn between becoming a Hobbit or Dwarf irl

[@individual2122]

Be a Hobbit it's more fulfilling.

[@joenathan8059]

@@individual2122 true

[@flouserschird]

Being short is nothing to envy

[@davidparkes7741]

Halfling for sure.

[@KitsuneShapeShifter]

@@flouserschirdsilence elf

[@mariasmith2198]

Have you done one about plane travelling yet?

[@AJPickett]

Constantly

[@UNSCMarine117]

Nah I don't need to watch the video like I sed before it's just the stereotypical Irish. There saved almost a hour... Jokes aside I'm going to watch it anyway because I like these videos.

[@kylethomas9130]

"What's 'taters precious?"

[@UNSCMarine117]

@@kylethomas9130 "Po Ta Tos. Boil them, mash them, stick em in a stew"

[@rev.aux-weg9730]

i made popcorn ^^

[@pelecyphora1]

Im guessing Kenders tell the dirty jokes?

[@hermionesydneygoldmanphynn498]

I halfling barbarian, Cade if you must know, has seen so much death and has such a wide domain, the entire high forest, he is revering The halfling god of death and only Halfling’s God of death.

[@hermionesydneygoldmanphynn498]

If you were wondering, Cade has always wondered and he’s never really had a village of his own. He may actually get overwhelmed by a city eventually just returning to us forest.

[@lordmortos979]

4:25 isn't that a gnome?

[@AJPickett]

Do you see shoes?

[@dragonballtalk8527]

What about plague spells or dnd illnesses in a video since corona beer

[@mariasmith2198]

On my planet, the halflings are evil, and live in a Mordor like country called China, and they unleash death spells on the rest of the world regularly. Sadly, the paladins around here are lazy, and take bribes from these evil shorties, so they get away with all kinds of evil.

[@AJPickett]

Ah, no, I'm not interested in that sort of video making.

[@legendswarble2845]

When you said the halflings value freedom and equality most of all I just got an add that said "The e.r.a. isn't about equality. It's about power. "

[@JCResDoc94]

☼ is _halfling_ pc?

[@AJPickett]

Yep

[@JCResDoc94]

@@AJPickett few. i didnt want to presume.

[@JCResDoc94]

@Mr. Lumiss lolz.

[@AJPickett]

@Citizenofthe9thdivision Every single dwarf name in the Hobbit is taken directly from Snorri Sturlison's eddas.

[@PaladinLevi]

@@AJPickett Homage isn't plagiarism.

[@davidfletcher6703]

I wonder what their take is on dirty jokes and innuendo

[@Radagast49230]

Given the size of halfling families I think there is no wonder at all on that topic. "Thirteen children you've been productive," some unimportant halfling.

[@thekaxmax]

they're farmers, what do you think. :P

[@peachibread1983]

they really should have just been a type of gnome. Half-foot gnome, or Hairy-Foot gnome.

[@AJPickett]

I totally agree

[@maxpowers9129]

I have never understood why they needed halflings when they are basically just gnomes. They aren't different enough to justify needing a different race.

[@AJPickett]

@@maxpowers9129 so, you agree.

[@ninetyZeven]

18:38 Excuse me.

[@GeorgeD1965]

no wonder they are hungry all the time.

[@Mortablunt]

Thiird!