Halfling (Dungeons & Dragons)

Halfling
Characteristics
Alignment	Usually Neutral
Type	Humanoid
Image	Wizards.com image
Stats	Open Game License stats
Publication history
Based on	Hobbit

The halfling is a fictional race (with many subraces) found in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Halflings are similar to humans, but about half their size. The original Dungeons & Dragons included hobbits, but later the game began using the name "halfling" as an alternative to "hobbit" for legal reasons.

The hobbit first appeared as a player character class in the original 1974 edition of Dungeons & Dragons.

In earlier editions of D&D, halflings are strongly inspired by Tolkien's hobbits (even referred to by that word frequently), being diminutive, chubby, furry-footed home-bodies with a penchant for dwelling in hollowed out hillsides and a racial talent for burglary.

The "halfling" appeared as a player character race in the original Player's Handbook (1978). The halfling also appeared in the original Monster Manual (1977), which described the halfling subraces of hairfoot, stout, and tallfellow. A number of halfling subraces were presented as character races in the original Unearthed Arcana (1985).

The halfling appeared as a character class in the Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (1977, 1981, 1983), Companion Rules (1984), and Master Rules (1985).

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