Annakolia/Halfling Heaven

History
Note: Halfling Heaven is the focal point of an ongoing campaign, and thus has special rules associated with its history and PC association with it. See below.

Halfling Heaven is a lazy, carefree, happy village. It is situated on an island in the middle of treacherous rocky waters and has been 'lost' for several generations (much to the contentment of its inhabitants.) The locals distrust outsiders, especially humans. They prefer to stay in their small village with their self-sufficient economy. The village provides everything that they need, and what they don't have, they don't want.

However, after a recent incident involving a ship full of convicted criminals, several of the Halfling Heaven youth set out from their homes and embarked upon what was supposed to be an easy task. The ship never arrived at its destination.

Missing and presumed dead were...
 * Peony Miller - Cleric of Marcus, Baker and Millers daughter.
 * Nimblefingers Briarfoot - The village trouble-maker.
 * Meadowlark Barleywine - The farmers daughter and a respected hunter.
 * Violet Fletcher - A young druid girl.
 * Tom Brewer - The innkeepers son and a novice sorceror.
 * Sandy Fleetfoot - The village brawler.
 * Brego Taleweaver - The gaffers only son and a talented bard.

Services were held in the Temple of Saint Marcus, and a beacon has been lit in Halfling Heaven in an attempt to show the children where their home was. Since that time, those missing were discovered very much alive and have actually gotten home, left home, gotten home, left home and are almost home again.

Deities
There is only one temple in Halfling Heaven. The villagers all 'worship' the same deity.


 * Saint Marcus - The Halfling God of Food & Indulgence.
 * Holy Symbol - a reclining pig set against a large yellow sun.

Clerics that follow Marcus tend to love the frequent 'food festivals' that the temple holds. Food festivals are held weekly and at every given opportunity such as Birthdays, Full moons, Sunny Days and Weddings. The temple believes that good food, fun and community spirit are the most important things in life.

Saint Marcus was originally unknown on the mainland, but due to the influence of a halfling cleric named Peony Miller, that has changed.

The Festival of Life
There are many reasons for festivals and feasts in the village. This is one of the main events and tends to have some unique traditions incorporated into it.


 * 1) The Tree of Life. - All villagers (and visitors) are expected to tie a gift or offering to the tree of life. This is said to symbolise that they are prepared to give, not just recieve throughout the coming year. Theses gifts or offerings can be anything, but tend to be made by the person making the offering. A cake or cookie, maybe a small figurine made from clay.
 * 2) Egg Wishing - This tradition involves painting a wish upon an egg and burying it somewhere secret. The important thing to note about this tradition is that it is said to allow the painted wish to come true over the next year, but if the egg is found or seen whilst being buried by anyone other than the wisher, then the wish is lost.
 * 3) Beating the Bounds - A tradition that involves a long and tedious, although necessary, perimeter check of property. Halflings from the village walk the perimeter of the land and fix any broken boundary markers that are discovered. It is said to strengthen the village physically and also seal the community spirit within.
 * 4) The Crop Run - Another tedious but necessary task has been made into a competition. Each entrant is given a field to plough and some seeds to sow in it. The winner is the person to create a neatly ploughed and sown field within the allotted time. Usually, only males tend to enter this tradition.
 * 5) The Queen of the Festival - All the females that wish to be the festival queen put on their finest dresses. They hope that they will be singled out from the crowds and chosen to lead the feast and open the festival. The Queen is usually chosen the day before the festival and she remains the queen from dawn to dawn the folowing day. In that time, no-one is allowed to refuse her a dance if she requests it. The queen of the festival is usually offered flowers by all visitors and villagers also.  Previous Queens have included Berri Pye, Ma Gardener and last years winner was Missus Brewer who has now won the title twice. (Incidentally, both her children were born within the following year of her having each title.)

Yule-Fest
Well, it doesn't take a genius to work out that halflings would jump at the opportunity for a celebration, so this festival is as popular as the others. Though regional traditions vary, Halfling Heaven village tends to stick to some rigid guidelines for this festival.


 * 1) (a week before the festival) The Tree of Life is decorated with brightly coloured spherical pieces of pottery called 'Ball-balls'. It was once suggested that the name should be simplified to something like 'Baubles' or 'Twinklies', but being a traditional village.... they dubbed the fellow who had this idea as the 'Yule Fool.', and a new tradition was born. The base of the tree is surrounded by wrapped gifts for the entire village ready for the first day of the festival.
 * 2) (the day before the festival to the last day of the festival) The Yule-Fool is nominated in secret by the entire village via a secret ballot system. (No Fool can be nominated twice in succession.) The fools role in the festival is to entertain the 'guests' with song, dance, juggling and jokes. It should be noted at this point that the festival actually lasts for an entire fourteen days and nights, but the fool is only required to 'perform' during meals.
 * 3) (a childrens traditional game) Blind-Hobbits Bluff is another tradition associated with this seasonal festival. Traditionally played by the children, one hobbit is blindfolded and spun until dizzy. The other children run whilst the 'blind hobbit' counts to ten. Upon ten, the fleeing hobbits must stand still and are not allowed to move until they are touched by the Blind Halfling, whom now searches for them whist stll blindfolded. This game usually ends in arguments, but so arguments and Yule-Fest are famously paired anyway.
 * 4) Gifts - On the first day of the festival, the gifts are distributed to all the villagers. It is treated as a community event where the entire village turns up at dawn and open their gifts to the first rays of sun, shortly before announcing the first festival Breakfast.
 * 5) Traditional Food - Turkey with wild chestnut & sage stuffing, Cranberry & Barleywine sauce, Nut Roasts, Figbread pudding, Glacier Cake (a dessert made from meringue, various fruits and frosting), Jellied Shark, Brandy Butter and, of course, Chocolate coins. These are just a small selection of the variety of foods that have become known as traditional for this festival.
 * 6) Boys Night Out - It is uncertain how this tradition came about, but nonetheless.... it is expected for all males to go to the local tavern, which for the night is designated as a male only area, and drink more than is probably wise. What goes on at these events remains a mystery, as no male who has ever attended has EVER uttered word of its 'fascinations' to a female. It has become so secretive throughout the years, that the date of the event constantly changes and is only discussed in privacy.
 * 7) Girls Night In - It is fairly obvious how this tradition came about. In the males absence, the females gather together and do female things. Knitting, Washing Up and swapping fashion tips... allegedly. (*wink*)
 * 8) Ice Skating - If the local fishing pond freezes, the halflings go ice-skating on it. It is traditionally thought of as a romantic event between lovers and married couples. If the pond does not freeze, it has been known for couples to be escorted to the mountains so they can skate there instead.

Other places of interest
Halfling Heaven is situated on a small desert island. The majority of the Island is dominated by the sands, but small pockets of forested areas can be seen along the coasts. There are 4 different civilisations on the island.


 * 1) Halfling Heaven. - A tiny village of reclusive halflings. It's exact location is lost and only known to a few.
 * 2) Farwest City - A very lawful city, also known as the Holy City. It has various religions within it's limited area, and trades via it's heavily used port. Farwest City has attempted to become well known for it's market of specialised goods, but so far the traders are still few.
 * 3) Alisha - A small village that has almost been totally destroyed by the harsh and cruel territory which it is situated in. The Alishanite citizens are few and their numbers are dwindling due to the frequent raids by hostile creatures and bandits. There is no surviving mayor or leader to the vilage, though there is a resident witch who all the village turn to for advice and support.
 * 4) The Thistlefoot Village. - The Thistlefoot clan are a small tribe of barbarians. They live in the Southwest Sands and are famous for their trading lifestyle. Quite often, the tribe will venture out into civilised areas to do business, and have been known to be shrewd businessmen and women. The tribe consists of various races and has only recently moved to the area.
 * 5) The Chasm of the Eclipse - A huge chasm situated near a large crater. Legend says that a dark god was cast down from the heavens and turned to stone here. To this very day there appears to be a giant statue of a god, half merged with the rock. It is a very dangerous area and few survive to tell tales of what they saw there.

The Island is a very dangerous place and is home to some vicious creatures. Those that are known are... Also there have been tales of a Shadow Dragon in the Alishanite Cliffs.
 * Illithids
 * Desert orcs
 * Cave Goblins
 * Giant scorpions and Beetles
 * Gi-ants
 * Stingers
 * Various serpents.

Those seeking a way from the Sands to a Halfling Heaven Home should search The Chasm of the Eclipse for a way lost in legend.

With DM help they might catch a Ship from Farwest City and attempt to pass the ship wrecking rocks at Halfling Heaven.

The way actually exists!

PC Backgrounds
The village of Halfling Heaven is restricted for various reasons. Although non-resident halflings are allowed to visit, an actual background which implies origins from the village MUST be applied for.

The village is a small community where every resident knows each other, sometimes all too well. It has enjoyed/suffered a rich history which all villagers would know about. (Such as the invasion of undead which killed many of the population, The gaffer pretending he was dying as a joke, Weddings, Funerals, Villagers vanishing, Explorers discovering 'once-lost' places etc..)

There are also certain beliefs instilled in the residents, such as the theory that elves don't really exist...and therefore anyone claiming to be an elf is really a longshanks (human) telling lies.

Thus, to emphasize, anyone wishing to play a resident to (or from) Halfling Heaven village must apply to a DM. The option of being from elsewhere and moving TO the village is also application only, as potential new residents must be interviewed by 'The Gaffer'.

''' Please do not make the character before application has been approved. Admins can not be held responsible for loss of gameplay on a character which has not been approved. '''

Requirements for residency
If applying for a family who has been in the village all along, there are some important factors which set villagers apart from other halflings.


 * 1) All villagers inherently distrust humans ("longshanks"). This distrust can manifest itself in various ways, but is something instilled in them from birth. A 'Heavener' will never trust humans in general, though they may discover exceptions to the rule. (i.e. "I dont trust longshanks, but this one gave me pie and it wasn't poisoned...so he can't be all bad")
 * 2) From birth, Heaveners are taught that Elves do not exist. Therefore, anyone claiming to be an elf, is really a human. Furthermore, Dwarves were all wiped out by humans... or so the villagers believe. Thus any Dwarves they meet, are simply fat halflings, or short humans.
 * 3) Each villager is as important as their neighbour, and their neighbours neighbour. The village is a self sufficient community which needs every member of that community to thrive. HH village has farmers, a tavern, gardeners, guards, bakers, priests, gravediggers, druids, merchants, fisherhin (freshwater or shore only, as the sea is too dangerous for fishing boats). If any of the villagers are lost, the whole community mourns and suffers. As such, each resident must have a trade or role that benefits the community.
 * 4) The Gaffer. He is the Oldest and Wisest villager, and he is also treated as the village ruler. He is respected by all, despite the fact he often tells boring stories which seldom sound believable. Disrespecting the gaffer is not acceptable.
 * 5) The village location is a closely guarded secret. If any resident were to ever leave the village, they would not voluntarily disclose the location to anyone who was not trustworthy. This includes Longshanks, Necromancers, or anyone pretending to be an elf or dwarf.
 * 6) Occasionally, a villager may decide to become an adventurer. This is very rare, seeing as the village has everything any resident could need... and what it doesn't have, they dont want. If this does happen, it should be noted that there is no postal service... so as far as the remaining family know... their beloved son or daughter could be (and most probably is) dead.
 * 7) If the character, once accepted, becomes a long running character and establishes themselves within the RP community, then one of the vacant houses may be allocated to the characters family. If this is the case, and family members are needed, it should be noted that NPC's are usable by DM's at all times. From the outset of HH village, the family members personalities and actions were always the property of the DM to a degree. For example, Barry_1066 created his character Tom Brewer and said Tom had parents who ran a tavern. The builder then created the tavern and added Tom's parents, whose personalities have grown and become distinguished over the 3 years of roleplay. Tom is Barry's character, but his parents are NPC's.
 * 8) Due to the fact that the village was created for the base of a campaign, the heroes/heroines of that campaign are also the heroes/heroines of the village. No resident may surpass the levels or abilities of those in the halfling campaign.  Any character with a Halfling Heaven background will have to level extremely slowly (after a three year campaign, the current characters are only level 20).

This list is subject to change.

Applications for residency pertaining to characters moving to the village from elsewhere do not have to conform to the village characteristics. However, the character will have to be interviewed by The Gaffer before residency is approved or denied. This is subject to DM availability. Any restrictions that will apply will be spoken about at that time.