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THE
HELMONDSSHIRE
HALFLINGS |
The Helmondsshire Hobbits are
the largest hobbit tribe dwelling in
Santharia, and one of the oldest as
well. They dwell in the Silvermarshes, and because of this are sometimes called
hobbits of the Silver Shire. The
Silvermarshes lie just northeast of the
Thaelon Forest, close to Nyermersys.
The Helmondsshire Hobbits are known for being very proud of their history,
especially concerning SW III.
The shire is named Helmondsshire after Gerenu Helmond, who helped to rebuild
the shire after the devastation during the
Ancyros War. The shire’s
original name was Hobbitshire, and was founded by Harfuld the Green. However,
after the shire was almost completely destroyed in the
Dragonstorm, the shire was called
“New Hobbitshire”.
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Appearance.
These hobbits are more diverse than
some, as they have lived in close contact with different kinds of
humans,
elves, and even dwarves, and the
blood of all these races still resides in small amounts in many
hobbits, though now many of the really
distinguishing features of other races have been washed away in the
halfling blood. Their appearance,
however, is still very varied.
Many of the hobbits are a bit taller
than they were originally, averaging between 1 and 1.2 peds. Those with more
pure hobbit blood maintain an average 1
ped, on most occasions. They are typically more lightweight than most
hobbits, though, averaging 50 to 60
ods. Their hair color varies between a light blonde to a medium brown and
everything in between, including reds and oranges, and often is curly. Their
feet tend to be a darker coloring than their hair, and the hair itself is more
coarse.
Females are usually a little shorter then males, and often weigh a little more.
After all, most females need more fat for child bearing, and given that most
females give birth to between 4 and 5 children, it's well needed.
Coat of Arms/Sign.
The Helmondsshire Hobbits have one of the oldest symbols, dating back to the
Age of Myths. The shield is round, reflecting peace, and inside is a single
vine with gentle green leaves. This coat of arms is centered on their love of
gardening and the earth. They are, of
course, “Green-People”.
The coat of arms was re-done after the destruction of the shire after the
War for Ancyros, but retains
the circular shape, but instead of a vine, the symbol of two green leaves.
Almost all of the other hobbit coat of
arms use the leaves in their symbol.
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Picture description: The location of the Silvermarshes, home of the Helmondsshire Halflings. Map by Artimidor Federkiel. |
Territory.
The Helmondsshire Hobbits live in the Silvermarshes, which are just north-east
of the Thaelon Forest. They are the
farthest tribe of halflings to the
north, being located right near
Nyermersys. This has brought about more danger to the tribe, and often
forced the hobbits into involvement.
The shire itself is split up into four sub-shires, named North, South, East,
and West Helmond. There are no real borders or barriers between the sub-shires,
but they are split up to help in organization. Also, each sub-shire is run by
its own thain, or mayor.
People.
The halflings of Helmondsshire are a
very welcoming people who, though not always eager to jump into war, will
happily accept strangers into their shire. They are often happy to welcome any
person, be they dwarf,
elf or
human, with good intentions. They have been known to involve themselves in
war in times of need. Sometimes they are a bit careful around people who act
queer, and can be untrusting of men at times. However, visitors who visit often
tend to be more welcomed than those who don’t, but on average these
hobbits are very welcoming.
Helmondsshire Halflings are also known for being rather proud of their history,
both for their bravery and compassion. During the
Ancyros War, they were
massacred for showing mercy to the enemy, and though the shire was almost
completely destroyed because of it, they believe that the actions show their
big hearts, and it is something they are proud of. They also have a lot of
pride in the team of halfling lancers
that fought in SW III, especially given that all the lancers were volunteers.
These halflings, like most, have an
infinite love of the earth and of
growing things. Gardening is one of their favorite hobbies, and all
hobbits have gardens, if not farms.
They are not the best gardeners, but out of all
hobbit tribes, they are the most
versatile, and have the most trading connections, especially with the merchants
of Nyermersys. They typically work
with things of the earth, and are
known for making things from metals and even stone, if they can get their hands
on some. However, their greatest export are fresh fruits and vegetables.
The men and woman are often treated a bit differently as the women are believed
to have responsibilities in the home. It is not necessarily a prejudice against
them, but simply what is commonly done. Women often have responsibilities
taking care of the many children that they have and helping to clean the house.
While cooking is conducted by the wife, the children (both boys and girls) are
taught at a very young age to cook and will commonly help their mother.
Housing.
Helmondsshire Hobbits live in homes dug into the hills and
earth. Some of the
hobbit holes of the Silvermarshes are
the oldest in Caelereth. These
hobbit holes are especially large, and
are usually built with stone, ensuring that they survived both the
Dragonstorm and the massacre during
the War for Ancyros. They tend
to be very large homes, smials, if you will. Most
hobbit holes in modern times use very
little stone, as there is not as much of it left in the area, and are instead
built with wood. All of the homes of
halflings have round doors and windows, and are usually only large enough
to fit hobbits.
The Helmondsshire's city layout is somewhat similar to that of the
humans in their region but much more
scattered, not in regular rows like the humans,
fitting into the nature's design. The Silvermarsh region contains just a few
hobbit villages, where the
hobbits mainly stay with themselves.
Travellers are welcomed, though too many people passing through
hobbit territory is something the
halflings frown upon.
Clothing.
The clothing of these
halflings is not often varied, save in
the differences of the seasons. In spring and summer, lighter clothing is used.
Men typically wear a white, short-sleeves shirt and a thin leather vest, though
some boys and young men will simply wear a vest, although they would never be
allowed to wear such in public. If they need to dress nice, they will wear
loose white long-sleeved shirts with cuffs and a nice, leather vests. In winter
the clothing is far heavier, and sweaters are very popular. Shorts are worn in
warmer months, as well as pants that end near the knee. In winter, pants are
almost always worn in winter.
Women almost always wear dresses made of simple design, usually with V-necks
and pockets. They come in earthy colors, usually, including greens, tanned
browns, and even earthy faded reds.
Most women wear aprons that have pockets and help to keep their dresses clean.
In summer these dresses are very light and thin, while winter dresses are
usually made of wool or have dresses of leather with soft fur on the inside.
Nice dresses will sometimes have embroidery or are made with flower patterns.
Diet.
Like most
hobbits, those of Helmondsshire have a
main diet of fruits and vegetables. They grow fresh crops in their farms and
gardens, and enjoy things that come from the earth, including
carroots and
lythbells. They also eat bread,
which is usually homemade and freshly made each day. They will collect fruits
and make them into preservatives for desserts. While they do eat meats, it is
not their main diet. Of the meats they eat,
taenish and lamb are perhaps the most
common. These are both domesticated animals and are often kept by
hobbit families.
Beer and alcohol are very popular drinks among
hobbits of course, and many
hobbits go through a lot of effort and
put forth a great deal of energy to make the best alcohol on the shire. They
will sometimes have competitions, usually sponsored by a certain tavern. Those
who make the best beer are held in high respect, and also tend to be rather
wealthy.
Weapons.
Hobbits, being a rather peaceful tribe,
do no longer manufacture weapons. Very few weapons thus exist within the shire,
and those that do are fairly antiquated, being from SW III. Those
weapons that remain include mainly a
great deal of spears and lances, as well as a few
short swords, build especially for small
hobbits. Such weapons are fairly rusted
and in some cases damaged, as they are over 1800 years old.
Daggers and knives are popular, but not as
weapons. Instead, they are commonly used as cooking utensils. However, they
are sharp and can be used as weapons if
need be. They also have a fair amount of gardening tools which could be used
for self-defense, if need be.
Occupations.
All hobbits over 33 typically work, even if it's just pulling someone’s weeds
or trimming their hedge. The following occupations are some of the more
popular.
Bakers
Bakers are a rather popular profession. Both sexes can be bakers and often are,
and it is not uncommon for a hobbit and
his wife to run a bakery together, along with their children. They typically
get their wheat from farmers and fix it themselves to create all sort of
things, not just bread. They will also make sweets like cobbler and pie, and
are always come up with new delectable creations.
Farmers
Farmers are one of the most common occupations for
hobbits, and
they are commonly owned by large families, all of whose members help to
plant, maintain, and harvest. Typically one family will have a large share of
land that is split up into three sections. While two of the sections are used
to grow things like wheat and corn, the other lays fallow, giving the field a
time replenish nutrients and moisture. The fields switch crops every year.
Gardeners
Gardeners are a common occupation for both sexes, as both very much enjoy
planting and tending a bit of earth.
Some of the busier hobbits
still have such a love of the earth
that they will hire someone to tend their gardens to make sure their plants are
happy and their earth, full of life.
Children are fond of growing things as much of their parents, and will often
have a little plot of earth where they
can grow whatever they like.
Merchants
Merchants are not necessarily a common job, but are perfect for more
adventurous
hobbits
who wish to journey to other towns, especially to
Nyermersys, to sell things their wood
and metal smiths make. Very few
hobbits
got no farther than Nyermersys,
mainly because the trip may take weeks, and also because most
hobbits
are often reluctant to visit much farther than that.
Smiths
Wood and metal smiths make all sorts of things including gardening tools and
even jewelry. Wood smiths do tables, chairs, desks, and all sorts of other
carpentry works, while metal smiths are more used to making utensils, knives,
rings, and necklaces. Sometimes wood and metal smiths will work together to
make tools like spades and rakes. While one will make the metal part, the other
will make the handle.
Government.
The shire, like most shires, was once ruled by a thain. However, because of the
increase in population, the shire has been forced to expand, and the number of
thains has increased. There are now four thains that rule over four different
sections of the Shire (called North, South, West, and East Helmond). Each
sub-shire has its own group of guard
hobbits, who patrol the shire and make sure all things are peaceful. Their
aren’t very many of them, as crime is extremely low in the shires, and what
crime there tends to be the joking of some young
hobbit.
Thains are usually replaced every ten years. They are chosen by vote, and
because most hobbits are unwilling to
vote, the term of office for thains is quite long. Only male
hobbits are allowed to run for thain,
and those under the age of 33 are not allowed to run, but the youngest thain to
ever be voted in was 50.
Production/Trade.
The hobbits are and always have been
very self-servant. They don’t commonly have relations with other tribes, save
the Erpheronians of
Nyermersys. Sometimes
Aellenrhim elves of the
Bolder will stop by and do trades,
and even some of the other nearby tribes will come for trading if things for
gardening are greatly needed, or some strange
hobbit-jewelry is wanted, However, of
the most part, many don’t take interest in the products of
hobbits.
Very close neighbors, those within only a few minutes or hours, will sometimes
stop by to buy fresh bread and vegetables. The
hobbits are known for their delicious
fruits and vegetables, and their bread, which is baked fresh everyday. Their
cooking, like most hobbits', is known
for being wonderful, and restaurants and taverns are popular among those in the
area. Some travelers and wanderers will intentionally make their plans so that
they pass through their shire just for the food.
Natural Resources.
The
hobbits of the Silvershire are blessed
with fertile lands through which they can make farms and tend to crops that
grow easily in the moist soil. Much of the shire, though originally founded in
a marsh, has been made to be more livable. The gardens and farms of these
hobbits grow a plethora of delicious
vegetables and fruits, which grow fat and plump in the fertile
earth under the warm and gentle
sun. However, many stones and rocks
of the shire have since been made into housing. Metals are also hard to find.
Holidays,
Festivals and Observances.
Hobbits have festivals two to three
times a year, sometimes more often then that. At least one of the celebrations
is for one of the Aviaría (Gods). The others are for either one of their own
deities or else for an important figure in their history. All festivals have a
lot of fresh food and a lot of alcohol. Often times games, bands, and dances
are set up for entertainment, and will last long into the night. Some of the
most celebrated festivals are named below:
Harfuld Day (Day 14,
Month of the Changing Winds)
This is the date that it was believed Harfuld the Green founded the first shire
of the Silvermarshes as Hobbitshire. Thus, this date
is called “Harfuld Day”, celebrating the first
settlement of the hobbits of
southern Sarvonia. Most of the time people wear a lot
of green and place all sorts of games. Music and dancing is very popular.
Helmond
Day (Day 3, Month of the Burning
Heavens)
After the destruction
of New Hobbitshire by the Erpheronian
army in 822 b.S., Generu Helmond came forward and helped to rebuild the
destruction. The day is believed to be the day the rebuilding began, and first
started to become Helmondsshire. Typically the cooks who prepare the food will
put it into the shapes of
hobbit holes and
rooms with furniture. There is often a lot of drinking as well.
Boe's
Day (Day 20, Month of the Dead
Tree)
This is the day that
Boe Starlinggale signed up for the
halfling lancers as a volunteer and
bravely led them into the war against the orcs
and dark elves that invaded from the north. Although in the
Battle of Four Swords, in
which he fought, ended in failure and he was forced to flee to
Denilou along with
dwarves,
elves, and men, he helped to start a
halfling settlement on the island. This
day is thus one where many halflings
gather together to help the community in the same way
Starlinggale helped the
hobbit community by his volunteering.
Music is played and much dancing is done. People cook meals and give them to
one another.
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Information provided
by
Rayne Avalotus
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