Misty Thicket, Antonica
Mayor Gubbin
Almost exclusively Halflings.
The Halflings of Rivervale are known to be big-hearted, loyal, jovial and slightly mischievous. Some thievery has been known to happen, but many Halflings look at it more like borrowing and turn a blind eye to it. Their worries consist of the Runnyeye goblins, visiting relatives, and ruined pot roasts and they are sometimes oblivious to the colossal struggles that take place outside of the city of Rivervale. In Rivervale, though, not much has changed over many hundreds of years. Halflings feel a great draw to the outdoors and feel right at home surrounded by grassy fields, trees and streams. Most have very simple rural lives and many own small pieces of land which they farm and maintain. Their favourite crop is the famous jumjum root which is always in huge demand in Rivervale. A good crop of jumjum has been known to grant families certain favours and prestige amongst the community. This of course lasts only as long as the next harvest.
The crafts are also practiced to various degrees of expertise. There is however one that is of the utmost importance to most Halflings; that is Baking. Food, drink and general socialising are all very important to the Rivervale community. After a day of hard work the taverns are usually full and full of laughter. They like to show their appreciation for a good meal and will only under extreme conditions ever leave food behind. They are extremely hospitable to most visitors to Rivervale, often handing out different food samples for them to taste. Some Halflings even place bets on what food they think foreigners will like the most. If you ever have a band of Halflings about you watching your every move you can be guaranteed there is some type of wager on your reaction.
One thing that has changed slightly over a couple of hundreds of years are the merchants. Rivervale is widely known for its agricultural products, and, though they haven't a port for importing, you will still find a wide selection of goods from other cultures, in addition to some of the Vale's goods that you can't find anywhere else. The merchants now have trade routes with many of the Norrath cities and although many still do not travel they are making a tidy profit from the travelling caravans.
Most Halflings take great pride in their feet. They spend much time combing, grooming and sometimes even colouring each hair on their feet. The only exception to this rule is the Grubbytoe family who go to the extreme to ensure that their feet are always filthy. If a Halfling has a choice he'll probably never leave the Vale and his warm cosy home. Every now and again though something of the utmost importance will occur which may result in them going on an adventure. Unfortunately their curiosity and loyalty to friends sometimes gets the better of them, and one adventure often turns into ten.
Halflings generally come from large families. Sometimes aunts, uncles, and cousins live together under one roof, if there's room, and most halflings have between three and six children. Usually only two or three of these survive long enough to get married and have children of their own. Halflings, despite the many dangers that surround them, just can't quite seem to get fully serious about defense, so often young halflings are picked off by goblins, orcs, or other nasties. It's considered a sad part of the cycle of life (and an excuse to have more children). Halflings don't let tragedy get them down for long.
Halfling courtship is your typical rural affair - matches are often made for practical rather than romantic reasons. That doesn't mean that attraction doesn't play a part-- the classic Halfling story is of the guy who marries the giggly, pretty young thing to escape his nagging farmwife mother - only to have that fresh young girl turn into a nagging farmwife! Rural life is hard, and though the Halflings are a jolly folk they are not dreamers. Warm companionship and help around the house is much more important than poetry or highfalutin courtship rituals. Weddings tend to be large, noisy, and gleeful. So, oddly, do funerals.
The four deities worshipped in Rivervale are Bristlebane and Karana (nearly equally), Brell Serelis (occasionally), and most rare of all, Rallos Zek. Bristlebane, as the creator of Halflings, is at the very least respected by everyone in Rivervale, though many prefer the humbler and slightly more solemn path of Karana. Worshippers of Bristlebane give Halflings their reputation for tricks and good-natured dishonesty; worshippers of Karana give Halflings their reputation for love of the land and charming bumpkin-like simplicity.
Worshippers of Brell Serelis tend to live even deeper underground than most Halflings, and are largely good-natured and stouthearted, reminding one at times of beardless dwarves. The few warriors who follow Rallos Zek are often feared and avoided by other Halfings - which is just fine with them. Followers of Rallos Zek are most likely to leave Rivervale eventually in search of more worthy (that is to say bloody) occupation.
There are four major holidays celebrated at the four points of the calendar, and they are celebrated with varying enthusiasm depending on one's belief system:
The New Year, or Winter Solstice of January 1, is known as Hearthtide. It is a time for families to cuddle together in their little holes around a nice warm fire and eat until they explode. Compared to most Halfling holidays it is an oddly private affair, and it may be the one night of the year that the streets of Rivervale are quiet. Followers of Brell Serelis particularly like this holiday, as it encourages everyone to hunker down close to earth and appreciate the warmth and shelter beneath the ground.
On April 1, the followers of Bristlebane take particular delight in April Fool's Day, a celebration of the vernal equinox, new life, and most of all, pranks. This holiday has become so well-known that people all over Norrath (especially rogues) are known to acknowledge it. Only in Rivervale though is the practice of pranking so seamlessly tied to the celebration of nature's rebirth. Flowers are seen decorating nearly every conceivable surface, and some Halflings (especially Karana worshipers) go so far as to streak and spot their faces with green paint.
On July 1, Runabout is celebrated. This holiday is much as it sounds. Footraces are held from dawn until midnight, for various age and gender groups. Those not actively participating in a race tend to run randomly through the town, often stark naked, or else put on their armor and go wreak havoc in the Misty Thicket or in Runnyeye. This holiday is embraced by followers of Rallos Zek, who use it as an excuse to prove their superior strength, as well as unleash their lust for violence upon the orcs and goblins of the area.
October 1 is Harvest Day. Though in reality different crops are harvested at different times, the autumnal equinox has come to symbolize the entire process of bringing in and storing the bounty of nature. On this day farmers choose a particular specimen of their best crop and bring it to the center of town, where prizes are awarded. There are also displays of druidic magic and awards for different recipes. For a Karana worshiper, this is often the best day of the entire year.
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Bebbwin Bramblebush, Quwin Puddlefoot, Barri Rainlark