Halflings

[Myrmidon]

We all want them don't we? I know I do. Can Halflings ever be implemented as an independent faction without their cringeworthy "soup memorabillia" ?

Discuss. Argue. Throw faeces.

[TVMAN]

If you think the Hot Pot Catapult is somehow 'cringeworthy' then you're clearly a fake halfling fan.

[Myrmidon]

Originally posted by TVMAN:

If you think the Hot Pot Catapult is somehow 'cringeworthy' then you're clearly a fake halfling fan.

Halflings got pretty much turned into a slapstick joke faction. If they really did have militia forces they would serious and at least semi-disciplined. If they can build a catapult then great, if you can do that, then use it, why soup? Use rocks, boiling water, oil, anything, food actually makes little sense aside from adding to the inherent lols.

[rlee87]

just maybe a hafling ror for the empire but not a hafling faction because I'd rather want the resources to be spent on more interesting factions.

[Red Shift]

I don't think the rules have been kept for later additions but it originally did insane damage to either trolls or greenskins (I forget which, might have been both).
The stew was incredibly corrosive to them and melted their skin on contact.

Also, not any more ridiculous than Doom Divers or Snotling pump wagons.

[TVMAN]

Originally posted by Myrmidon:

Halflings got pretty much turned into a slapstick joke faction. If they really did have militia forces they would serious and at least semi-disciplined.

Halflings have always been a joke in any medium they're portrayed in. Even in LOTR we had humorous moments where they'd talk about second breakfast and whatnot. That aside, fortunately there's more than enough material in the lore for a full roster. Let's take a look at it, shall we?

Halfling Infantry:

Halflings - The basic Halfling is neither very tough, very strong, or very skillful at fighting. Most Halflings however, are excellent shots with a bow and some are exceptional fighters. Halflings are known to be intelligent (usually described as sneaky), can move in woods quite unhindered and are loyal, especially where food is concerned, this is because they are always hungry.

Halfing Militia - Halflings from the fields and villages of the Moot make excellent natural archers and stubborn fighters despite their rather diminutive size.

Cooks - Cooks are the most respected members of the Halfling community, they form the Moot's elite infantry units. Within their units are Crazed Cooks, who have eaten too may "spicy dumplings", they hide among the regular Cooks in their unit, jumping out during battle, whirling their heavy cookpots around.

Pantry Guards - Pantry Guards are Cooks with more than a reputation for their culinary skills. These elite fighters act as bodyguards for Halfling Chuck Wagons.

Lords of the Harvest - Lords of the Harvest are the leaders of gangs of farm labourers. They are practiced swordsmen.

Gatherers - itinerant farm labourers are always likely to be pressed into service. Halflings are no exception.

Poachers - Poachers are excellent archers, often fielded in large numbers within a Halfling army.

Housewives - Halfling women folk are not to be messed with. They are uncannily strong, they unerringly hit the mark when there is a punch to be thrown and, due to years of child rearing and housework, are incredibly tough. The sight of one of their men folk being killed is enough to drive them into a bloodlust.

Thieves - Although they will not admit it publicly, Halfling thieves are the best around although they do prefer to be called Scouts, it's more polite. Hiding in infantry units, they sneak out and steal magical or useful items from the enemy.

Halfling Cavalry:

War Sheep Riders - War Sheep are specially bred for their size, strength and pliability. They undergo special obedience training, but are still rather skittish.

Battle Ram Riders- Larger and more aggressive than War Sheep, Battle Rams are the Halflings heavy cavalry. They are better trained, larger and stronger. They have very thick woolly coats which makes them very hard to hurt. They also pack a powerful headbutt and have wicked horns.

Goat Riders - Large Goats are used as light cavalry, often for skirmishing and scouting. They are irritable beasts though, well known for their head butting. Due to their nimbleness, Goats are easily able to move on difficult terrain such as woods or hills.

Sheep Dogs - The Sheep Dog, with its master mounted on a Battle Ram whistling commands at it, is usually found towards the rear of the War Sheep and Battle Ram units. Sheep Dogs are notoriously loyal to their masters and will often lay down their lives for them.

Swan Riders - These large birds make ideal mounts for transporting troops around the battlefield quickly. They are also very aggressive and kill with their powerful wings. They usually fly in a "V" formation and their riders are the best of the Moot's bowmen and can skillfully shoot on the wing.

Great Eagle Riders - It is a well known saying that when the Halflings are in trouble, along come the Lords of the Air - The Great Eagles. These Elite units are often made up of two Eagles and their Riders.

Halfling Warbeasts:

Poultry Swarms - Halflings make use of Chickens, geese, turkeys and ducks that can be driven, enraged, into battle as a swarm.

Treemen - Due to their affinity with nature, closeness to the forests and the number of fat, juicy rabbits living there, some Halflings have been befriended by Treemen who will fight alongside a Halfling army with their trusty friends riding on their shoulders.


Halfling Artillery:

Halfling Hot Pot - Originally a desperate innovation, the Halfling Hot Pot has now become something of an institution amongst Halflings. The Hot Pot is exactly that, a pot of boiling liquid hurled at the enemy's ranks, burning, scalding and even dissolving the foe.

Halfling War Machines:

Reaper and Shearer - Various peices of farming michinery are used by halflings. For the most part they are designed for cutting wheat, but they are equally at home cutting off heads. There are two types of machine, one heavier than the other. The Shearer is a lighter, smaller machine pushed into battle by two warsheep. The Reaper is a heavier machine, pushed by two Battle Rams.


Halfling Lords:

Moot General - Halflings are not as renowned for producing legendary heroes, but the plucky little guys still have their fair share of powerful characters. Halfling armies are led by Moot Generals, who are usually seen carrying picnic baskets. Any Halfling will follow a chap with a picnic basket. In battle generals often ride upon massive Battle Rams, Great Eagles, Giant Swans, Pegasi and even fierce Baby Dragons. These particulalry deadly mounts are still only "ickle" and therefore have softer scales than regular Dragons. They also have yet to develop their breath and so have no breath attack.

Chuck Wagon - This is a Halfling army's battle standard. It carries the Halflings rations for the day, a subject very dear to a Halfling's heart. The Chuck Wagon is pulled by a gigantic (at least to the Halflings) Aurochs, an ancient breed of wild cattle and apparently quite tasty. Being essentially a wild creature, it is also quite nasty.


Halfling Heroes:
Halfling Heroes - These individuals often lead other units into battle, these include the standard Halfling Heroes, but also Master Chefs and Housewife Ladies. They can ride into battle upon Sheep, Goats, Great Eagles, Giant Swans, Pegasi and even Baby Dragons.


As you can see, they actually pretty much have a full roster already and would only need a little additional work from CA to make them into a competitive faction; stuff like named lords and Regiments of Renown. Hell, with their affinity with ogres they could even have ogre mercs as a monstrous infantry option and have ogre butchers as spellcasters.

If they can build a catapult then great, if you can do that, then use it, why soup?
Use rocks, boiling water, oil, anything, food actually makes little sense aside from adding to the inherent lols.

So they can have a quick snack during combat obviously. Never underestimate the appetite of a halfling.

[RCMidas]

Originally posted by TVMAN:

So they can have a quick snack during combat obviously. Never underestimate the appetite of a halfling.

Yeah, seriously, NEVER underestimate the lengths a halfling will go to in order to get some grub. Take another look at the description for the Dragonbane Gem. The implication in the wording is that the dragon who swallowed it might well have survived had he not crashed into a halfling feast and been served up as part of the meal...

[Father Ribs]

Idle thought: Would hobbit armies worship the great maw? I imagine their logistical trains would strip the land just as thoroughly as ogres.

[victorlopezdelosmozogomez]

Let's go

[RCMidas]

Originally posted by Father Ribs:

Idle thought: Would hobbit armies worship the great maw? I imagine their logistical trains would strip the land just as thoroughly as ogres.

I imagine quite a few halflings would happily venerate the Great Maw if they learn a bit about it. Ogres and halflings get along with each other really well, all things considered. The immense brutes have a notable soft spot for the little monsters.

[Sir Eyeball]

as part of the empire yes. The Moot should and could have building chains for various halfling units and warmachines. A cook hero would be cool too. But as a faction on its own I think it falls short (all puns intended.) there is just not enough there to go on. The moot is quite small to start a campaign but should be a county in its own as it does have an elector seat in the Empire

[[PHNX]Kordarus]

Originally posted by rlee87:

just maybe a hafling ror for the empire but not a hafling faction because I'd rather want the resources to be spent on more interesting factions.

Name one noteworty Halfllng?

How a Halfling regiment could turn into a regiment of renown is too deeply impossible that just trying to imagine that almost caused me to have a stroke.

Please never do that ever again...

All the Best,

Gambia Dragon

[Red Shift]

Halfing characters: https://warhammerfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Category:Halfling_Characters

Halfing RoR: Lumpin Croop’s Fighting ♥♥♥♥♥ http://www.ifelix.net/gamingblog/?p=11025

I know they were unpopular, but I'm thinking the best way to implement them would be in a mini-campaign. Focused on the Moot and dealing with small warbands of Beastmen & Greenskins.

[rlee87]

Originally posted by PHNXKordarus:

Originally posted by rlee87:

just maybe a hafling ror for the empire but not a hafling faction because I'd rather want the resources to be spent on more interesting factions.

Name one noteworty Halfllng?

How a Halfling regiment could turn into a regiment of renown is too deeply impossible that just trying to imagine that almost caused me to have a stroke.

Please never do that ever again...

All the Best,

Gambia Dragon

'kathleen' halfling soup tank - modified version of steam tank

[WhySoSalty]

Part of the DogsofWar faction. there you will get your halflings and many ppl will get their amazons, albion and so on. all of them (including halflings) are not worth their own faction but as a part of DoW..sure

[Despiser]

The food thing is plain silly. A halfling faction could be based on luck, zero miscast chance, potent trickery spells like a wide aoe that confuses foes, making them attack nearest units. Maybe a power of invisibility, stuff like that.