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.

Feral creatures who live in the mountains, deserts and forests, so’van are out of place in the cities of The Unification. Yet, as a wild creature held in a zoo can adapt to its surroundings, so too can a so’van find adventure in the cities as well as the wilderness.

   Personality

Stories, song, and fine arts are of paramount importance to so’van, who have a rich oral history and collection of mythic tales. So’van often feel sorry for creatures who struggle for food in difficult times (or among the homeless in the cities), for they have little trouble finding either in their wilderness homes. This attitude often appears patronising and condescending to others.

   Physical Description

So’van stand about 3 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. So’van 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 so’van reaches adulthood at 20, and generally lives into the middle of their second century. So’van often decorate their skin with war-paint, tattoos and piercings.

   Relations

So’van have a mixture of pity and curiosity toward the people of the cities, but they’re socially aware enough to realise that they will always be a novelty to the larger races. After they’ve been among humans and other races for a while, most so’van overhear enough tales about cannibal so’van to last a lifetime. However, most don’t foul their dealings with those they meet by telling them that most of these stories are true.

   Alignment

So’van have no particular alignment preference, although those who travel to the cities have a tendency to be more chaotic than those who remain in their forest, desert or mountain homes.

   So'van Racial Traits

• +2 Dexterity, +2 Wisdom: So’van are quick, agile, and good with ranged weapons. They also tend to be perceptive and strong-willed.
• Small: As a Small creature, a so’van gains a +1 size bonus to Armour Class, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, and a +4 size bonus on Hide checks, but uses smaller weapons than humans use, and their lifting and carrying limits are three-quarters those of a Medium character.
• So’van base land speed is 20 feet.
• +2 racial bonus on Climb, Jump, and Move Silently checks: So’van are agile, surefooted and athletic. At 5th level, these bonuses increase to +4. At 10th level, a so’van can make a standing long jump as if it were a running long jump and can engage in accelerated climbing without suffering the -5 penalty. At 15th level, the Climb, Jump, and Move Silently bonuses increase to +8.
• +1 racial bonus on all saving throws: So’van are surprisingly capable of avoiding mishaps.
• +2 morale bonus on saving throws against fear: This bonus stacks with the so’van’s +1 racial 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 so’van and they develop remarkably good aim.
• +2 racial bonus on Listen checks: So’van have keen ears.
• Inborn Power: So’van gain 3 extra power points at first level, regardless of whether they choose a psionic class or not. They can use the power points to manifest their missive power. If the character takes levels in a class that offers a repertoire of psionic powers, simply add the 3 power points to the power point total, and add the inborn power to the list of powers known. So’van use their inborn power at a manifester level equal to their ECL. The use Charisma to set the save DC unless they have levels in a class such as psion or psychic warrior that uses a different ability score to set the save DC. In that case, they can choose either Charisma or the psionic class’s relevant ability score to set the save DC.
• Level Adjustment: +1.