Somewhere in Cheliax, a halfling is getting kicked in the side just for casting a shadow on one of his 'betters'. Somewhere in that devil corrupted heap of a nation that has lost its way, a slave half the size of those who hold her against her will, is watching her children being sold and traded right in front of her eyes. In every town of this cursed country, the word 'slip' is spat with hate, or delivered with a casual unthinking presumption of a status of non-person upon another sapient being. Lashes crack on all too small backs, and chains maybe used to bind the ankles of furry feet so freedom is that much harder to run to.
Let's face it, it sucks to be a halfling in Cheliax. But they're not, by any means, passively accepting of their fate. The Bellflower network grows its gardens of passage to get as many halflings smuggled to Andoran and other safe nations as possible. Halfling clerics hold secret prayer groups to help keep their flocks from losing all hope, and covertly risk spreading word that not all gods are dark ones, and not all favor human injustice over halfling freedom. Rogues and sneaks take the slurs cast about them and turn them into points of pride as they pick the "good Cheliaxian citizens" clean in order to help their own. And who knows? Perhaps the seemingly faithful servants who prepare the food of Cheliaxian nobles, or even offer expert shaves, perhaps some of them are merely waiting for the time when they can put something more in the soup, or cut more than facial hair.
I'm really hoping the AP has a strong Halfling element in at least one of the parts of it. I'd love to see at least one NPC with the Bellflower network who either asks the PCs for aid, offers it, or both. I'd like to see the PCs make choices on whether their rebellion is to include halflings as well as humans despite it possible costing them the support of those Cheliaxians who believe in human superiority, or if they'll pay the cost of pretending all those small folk don't exist in order to placate hatred in the now for some political advantage.
If one of the Powers That Be wants to chime in and hint about how much or little attention the halflings as part of the non-citizen citizenry will get in this Adventure Path, I'd love it!
But whether they do or not, are any Gamemaster types going to be bringing up this element for their own take on it? Do you have any suggestions on what the Bellflower Network, the few free halflings, and halfling slaves as well might do when suddenly a rebellion starts up in one Chelaxian city?
How would you make them a factor, if you are going to at all, that is?
Creative Director
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Halflings will be a factor.
Hell's Rebels is about a LOT MORE than just how it sucks to be a halfling in Cheliax. That's part of the big picture, but not nearly the whole thing.
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Halflings will be a factor. ** spoiler omitted **
Woot! Thanks for the response! And good to know.
Hell's Rebels is about a LOT MORE than just how it sucks to be a halfling in Cheliax. That's part of the big picture, but not nearly the whole thing.
Oh, no complaints about that, I am just glad that part isn't being overlooked. I'm not the biggest fan of halfings compared to others usually, but I will say the setting has done a wonderful job of making me feel for the little guys. And yeah, I think they're due a little payback on Cheliax ;)
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Unfortunately, Cheliax may get a little payback on the Bellflower Network in Hell's Vengeance...
Booo hissss
;)