Halfling
Cheerful, small folk of the Misty Thicket and Rivervale, followers of Bristlebane.
- Type
- Race
- Allegiance
- The Underfoot — Brell's makers
- Attested in
- EQ1EQ2
- Sources
- 102 texts
Overview
Drawn from DoNCultBook1Halfling — in-game book.EQ1Primary · official
Only a fool thinks of a Halfling as nothing more than a tiny bundle of silliness. Their laughter is certainly the most common sound at their gatherings, but a Halfling takes matters of war as seriously as they do any party. The long tradition of the Leatherfoot guards is a testament to their ability to take danger seriously. Conflict, however, is something that these gentle folk prefer to keep out of their daily lives, and sometimes it can be difficult to rouse a settlement of Halflings into the attitude needed to deliver a war properly. These volumes explore in-depth the traditions, symbols and organizations of Halfling war. It shows the tradition of symbols and banners used in war, focusing on insignia used on armor.
This volume takes a deep look into the modern day symbols of Halfling society. It compares them to symbols used in the past and explores the effect they have on Halfling society. It discusses the use of masks and unusual hats throughout Halfling history and how the current Leatherfoot style evolved. The main focus of this volume, however, is how those symbols effect the folk of Rivervale. It distills those symbols, through clever use of analogy and anecdotes, into one symbol that encompasses the moral and physical strength of modern Halflings.
Among the pages of discussion about these symbols is a pattern. This pattern distills the symbols of modern Halfling culture into a single insignia that has powerful meaning to the citizens of Rivervale. You know that you will be able to reproduce this pattern many times before the book becomes worn and you must replace it.
To create pattern for tailoring armor templates based on these patterns you will need this book, a large bottle of ink, a roll of vellum, a quill and a compacted backpack to hold the patterns you will make. You'll also need a book binding to do the work.
Overview
Drawn from The History of Halflings (House Item) — in-game book.EQ2Primary · mirrored · best available source
Through my own experiences, I have gained knowledge and insight into the halflings. Each part of this history tome can only be completed in its own time.
Story 1
When the gods decided to place folk on Norrath, we halflings were the most fortunate folk, created by Fizzlethorpe Bristlebane, the King of Thieves. And what a great place he put us, in our beloved Rivervale.
We named it Rivervale as a river flowed through the soft-sloped hills that eventually rose into higher and narrower clefts that kept us safe. To one reach Rivervale, you had to pass through either the KithicorForest or the Misty Thicket, neither of which was forgiving to the unwary.
Beyond the Misty Thicket, you see, lay the home of a particularly foul band of goblins—Runnyeye Citadel. Nasty folk and a nasty place, that's for sure. While they weren't very bright, they were certainly very annoying.
On the other side there was KithicorForest, a darker and much more sinister place. Our legends had it that in the beginnings of time, Cazic-Thule tripped over a root jutting out from the forest floor and put an awful curse on the whole place! True as I'm breathing!
The halflings of Rivervale and Misty Thicket created a really cozy place in the world. While the humans and the elves all seemed to have their troubles, our lives went on for generations, pretty much as they always had. We did some farming and gathered honey jum.
Official Lore
22Collected official lore pieces, from in-game and out — the 22 strongest of 37 listed.
From the Library of Norrath – The Nine Treasures of Jebbiki - 9/14/07
In the past, legendary adventurers joined Hooroo Karoo in an epic rescue and search for treasure that took place over the course of thirteen days. Ten legendary items were created for this series. Here's their story… The Nine Treasures of Jebbiki A few years ago, a halfling named Jebbiki Karoo, started out on a journey across the continent of Kunark in search…
Read the full sourceVKXQ1Message3
From the hand of Brantun: It must have snapped when the falls hurled us against the rocks. The bleeding has ceased, and Barleyburr has placed a splint around my leg. We sit in the half-light of a damp tunnel near the waterfall cavern.
Read the full sourceVKXQ1Message4
From the hand of Brantun: If you ever read this, Thistlebrush, you will know my rage. You will see it in every jagged stroke my pen makes. The goblins found us. Barleyburr stood with my sword brandished, ready to defend me, but the large goblin with a club knocked the weapon away and threw Barleyburr to the ground.
Read the full sourceVKXQ1Message2
From the hand of Brantun: I should have kept a closer watch on Barleyburr. Ham? Of all the stupid things he could have done, carrying a pack full of it into a forest infested with bears was likely the worst. Last night we crawled beneath the forest brush and peered behind the rocks and branches, scouting a breach in the hillside.
Read the full sourceVKXQ1Message1
From the hand of Brantun: What manner of beasts are these minotaurs? Taller than two ceilings of a Rivervale home, they stride about the charred sides of the crater like walking trees. Their legs are trunks; their arms are boughs. I do not fear them, but I respect their might. Forgive my uneven writing, but now it is dark.
Read the full sourceDoNRaceBookHalfling
This book is primarily a study of armor found throughout the history of the Halfling race, but it is liberally laced with whimsical tales and anecdotes. At first glance these stories seem to just fill the extra pages between the serious discussions. And for most other races it always seems so.
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Sailing with Three Sheets to the Wind
The Tale of One Halfling’s Trials and Tribulations Through Norrath’s Transcendent Taverns By: Tarquin “Tiggy” Neusbickle, III …when all of the sudden Ol’ Marty Blanketstain comes barelling around the corner, huffing and puffing; demanding that I owe him another flagon of ale on account of the one he spilled on his brother, Woolert.
Read the full sourceThe History of Halflings (House Item)
Through my own experiences, I have gained knowledge and insight into the halflings. Each part of this history tome can only be completed in its own time. Story 1 When the gods decided to place folk on Norrath, we halflings were the most fortunate folk, created by Fizzlethorpe Bristlebane, the King of Thieves.
Read the full sourceEverQuest Manual — Halfling
Halfling. Short and Human-like, Halflings are by far the most nimble and mobile race in the world. Outstanding dexterity and agility come naturally, and they’re natural travelers. Because of this, Halflings have developed peaceful relations with all other races. Starting city Rivervale Occupations Cleric, Druid, Rogue, Warrior Racial tensions lksar
Read the full sourceRemembering Rivervale (House Item)
Many brave halflings fell defending Rivervale and the Misty Thicket during the Age of War. This is the story of the defense of the Misty Thicket. The sight of the orcs reminded Gemma of the talk in Rivervale the previous week, that goblins and orcs had teamed up in the Northlands as the "Horde of the Inferno." Watching the tide of invaders pouring into the Mi…
Read the full sourceLeatherfoot Tales: The Houndslayer, Part One
This book is a retrospective of Leatherfoot Brigade scout Gumpy Nattoo's earliest adventures during the Age of Turmoil. History is written after something happens and tells future folk about the past. That's what this is about: the past.
Read the full sourceLeatherfoot Tales: The Houndslayer, Part Three
The final part in the Leatherfoot Tales: The Houndlayer book tells of the Houndslayer Gumpy Nattoo's triumphant return to Rivervale with the lead unit of the Kithicor rangers. To commemorate his receiving the nickname "Houndslayer," the Kithicor ranger squad leader insisted upon slicing off the dead wolf's tail and tying it to Gumpy's belt.
Read the full sourceLeatherfoot Tales: The Last of the Teir'Dal, Part Two
The Houndslayer and his comrades make their way through Nektulos Forest, encountering something unexpected. The Kithicor rangers, the Leatherfoot elite and Gumpy Nattoo paused on the edge of Nekutolos Forest. They had all heard the fireside tales of ash-filled trees dropping clouds of life-choking pumice on unsuspecting travellers.
Read the full sourceLeatherfoot Tales: The Last of the Teir'Dal, Part One
The Houndslayer's adventures continue as he and his comrades make their way through the dangerous regions of Kithicor and Nektulos. Debate rages through history as to the origins of the dark elves, or as they call themselves, the Teir'Dal. Considering how different they look, it's easy to see why folks might think they're not elves.
Read the full sourceLeatherfoot Tales: The Last of the Teir'Dal, Part Three
The Houndslayer, also called the Pathfinder, and his comrades take the First Gate and bring this tale to its conclusion. The Teir'Dal guards peered this way and that into the wooded area in which Gumpy Nattoo, the Kithicor rangers and the Leatherfoot elite were hiding.
Read the full sourceLeatherfoot Tales: The Houndslayer, Part Two
This part of the Leatherfoot Tales relates how Gumpy Nattoo received the name "Houndslayer" during the Age of Turmoil. After meeting up with the Kithicor ranger in the woods, Gumpy felt his luck had changed. For one thing, the ranger shared his rations generously. For another, they were heading back to Rivervale.
Read the full sourceThe Wall (CollectionReward)
"The Wall" Second Edition This book tells the story of how the resourceful halflings of Rivervale constructed a mighty barrier. Long ago, longer than could be counted by the turning of the seasons, our fellow kinsmen set out to build a barrier against the predators that lurked in the shadows. This wall that they built would be built two more times, for even m…
Read the full sourceDreezil Stickens Pocketdip
…Dreezil was the smallest of his family; the "runt of the litter," his father Wurrin called him. He was such a cute infant, he was cuddled and carried constantly by his mother Teezil and his seven older sisters. It kept him from learning to walk until he was nearly ready for schooling.
Read the full sourceOn the Town of: Rivervale – 6/29/07
…Nestled in the mountains bordering the Misty Thicket , the village of Rivervale is a well-protected haven for hundreds of peaceful, if mischievous, halflings of Norrath. The village is defended both by the tall neighboring mountains and the Great Wall of Serillis. These happy-go-lucky little halflings follow the teachings of Fizzlethorpe Bristlebane.
Read the full sourceBrenlo
…Halfling Class: Cleric Brenlo was young when he first encountered a Bixie. He trapped it in a clay pot and set it loose upon his sister. He laughed for hours at his prank knowing that he could learn to love bringing that same joy to others. It was then that he came to the notice of Bristlebane.
Read the full sourceMisty Thicket – Past and Present
Halflings across the world of Norrath rejoice as the hills of Misty Thicket flourish into a new paradise. The new Misty Thicket will be going live with the Game Update on Thursday, July 5th. Read part of the lore of this area and view a photo gallery look at the changes that were made: Background Lore
Read the full sourceThe 7th Running
…>Very Bad Things _______________ From Evil Wizards in Everfrost to big bad serpents in Ro, there were lots of unexplained things, all on the same day. This is one halfling's account: "Just the other day, I was walking to Freeport to get some pickles from Boomba for a batch of my special Bat Steaks and as I was passing through the Commonlands, something bit me…
Read the full sourceFurther sources
38Lore that mentions this in passing.
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Community articles
26Fan-written encyclopedia entries — useful overviews, lower authority than the primary sources above.