Within civilised lands, halflings have largely died out, though nobody is entirely certain why. This is not to say the halfling strain does not exist in the world, merely that the more “civilised” examples of the race are gone. In their place, the world has so’van, the wild halflings of the mountains, forests and deserts, and the Loh’cet, or deep halflings, who live in and near the lands of dwarves.

Loh’cet are short humanoids with a stocky build. They live near or in the lands of Lo’menni or the mountain settlements of some Lo’khosh, and have an abiding love of stonework and gems.

   Personality

Loh’cet take great pleasure in gems and fine masonry, often working as jewellers or stonecutters. They get along well with Lo’menni and display many of the personality traits of their Lo’menni friends. For their part, however, the dwarves sometimes find the Loh’cet terribly annoying. Some Loh’cet also, however, dwell near the dark and often evil Lo’khosh and demonstrate darker traits.

   Physical Description

Loh’cet stand about 2½ feet tall and usually weigh between 30 and 35 pounds. Their skin is ruddy, and their hair is black and straight. They have brown or black eyes. Loh’cet men often have long sideburns, but beards are rare among them and moustaches are almost unseen. They like to wear simple, comfortable, and practical clothes. A Loh’cet reaches adulthood at 20, and generally lives into the middle of their second century.

   Relations

Loh’cet get on exceptionally well with Lo’menni, but have little to do with other races. They do not have any particular feelings toward other races, but enjoy the company of Lo’menni or sometimes Lo’khosh and prefer to associate with them over all other races.

   Alignment

Loh’cet tend to be neutral. While they are comfortable with change (a chaotic trait), they also tend to rely on intangible constants, such as clan ties and personal honour (a lawful trait). Those who live in or near a Lo’khosh community tend to be evil, while those living near a Lo’menni community tend to be either neutral or good.

   Loh'cet Racial Traits

• +2 Dexterity, -2 Strength: Loh’ceti are quick, agile, and good with ranged weapons, but they are small and therefore not as strong as other humanoids.
• Small: As a Small creature, Loh’ceti gain a +1 size bonus to Armour Class, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, and a +4 size bonus on Hide checks, but they use smaller weapons than humans use, and their lifting and carrying capacity is ¾ that of a Medium character.
• Loh’cet base land speed is 20.
• +1 racial bonus on all saving throws: Loh’ceti are surprisingly capable of avoiding mishaps.
• +2 morale bonus on saving throws against fear: This bonus stacks with the normal Loh’cet +1 bonus on saving throws in general.
• +1 racial bonus on attack rolls with thrown weapons and slings: Throwing and slinging stones is a universal sport among Loh’ceti, and they develop especially good aim.
• Darkvision: Loh’ceti can see in the dark up to 60 feet. Darkvision is black and white only, but it is otherwise like normal sight, and Loh’ceti can function just fine with no light at all.
• Stonecutting: This ability grants a Loh’cet a +2 racial bonus on Search checks to notice unusual stonework, such as sliding walls, stonework traps, new construction (even when built to match the old), unsafe stone surfaces, shaky stone ceilings, and the like. Something that isn’t stone but that is disguised as stone also counts as unusual stonework. A Loh’cet who merely comes within 10 feet of unusual stonework can make a Search check as if actively searching, and a Loh’cet can use the Search skill to find stonework traps as a rogue can. A Loh’cet can also intuit depth, sensing their approximate depth underground as naturally as a human can sense which way is up. Loh’ceti have a sixth sense about stonework, an innate ability that they get plenty of opportunity to practice and hone in their underground homes.
• +2 racial bonus on Appraise checks and Craft checks that are related to stone or metal.
• +2 racial bonus on Listen checks: Loh’ceti have keen ears.
• Level Adjustment: +0.