(Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron/Eberron: Rising from the Last War)
The halflings of Eberron began in the east of Khorvaire, and nomadic tribes still wanter the Talenta Plains. However, many halflings followed their dragonmarked houses into the lands to the west, and they've been a part of the Five Nations since before the rise of Galifar. They can be found in every city in Khorvaire. Quick and charming, halflings are often found as merchants, politicians, barristers, and bards. Of course, these same talents are also useful for grifters and criminals. Most notably, the halflings of the Boromar Clan are the most powerful criminal organization Breland. Perhaps even on the whole of the continent. They are based in Sharn, but their influence can be felt across the nation and even in the distant city of Stormreach, far to the south across the ocean.
In Eberron the halfling subraces represent personal aptitude rather than genetics. Most halflings are lightfoot but stout halflings can be found in any community. Ghostwise are extremely rare; in Talenta they are considered to be touched by spirits and often become respected druids, while in the Five Nations they are generally seen as oddities.
Halflings carry two dragonmarks. House Jorascoo carries the Mark of Healing and dominates the business of medicine. House Ghallanda holds the Mark of Hospitality and runs inns, hostels, and taverns across Khorvaire.
(Eberron: Rising from the Last War)
What’s the price of a life? Well, I’ve got a rate sheet right over here. I’d be happy to discuss it.
—Bessi d’Jorasco, Fairhaven healer
A halfling with the Mark of Healing can save a life with a touch, restoring vitality and the will to live. When dealing with mundane medicine, the mark helps its bearer sense the nature of maladies, aiding them in finding a cure. When equipped with dragonshard focus items, the mark can even draw the dead back from the depths of Dolurrh.
House Jorasco
Leader: Ulara d’Jorasco
Headquarters: Vedkyar Enclave (Vedykar, Karrnath)
The Healer’s Guild provides a vital service to Khorvaire, and the Last War ensured there was great need for healers. The leader of the guild, Baron Ulara d’Jorasco, is much beloved in northwestern Khorvaire for her instrumental role in combating an epidemic in that region a decade ago, and Jorasco medics served in every nation’s army during the war.
The guild runs schools that teach medicine, as well as houses of healing that provide both mundane and magical services. If it could save a life, it’s probably marked by the House Jorasco griffon emblem, and it will come with a cost. If you have the gold, Jorasco healers can remove a disease instantly with lesser restoration. If you can’t afford such a service, they will treat you with mundane techniques. House Jorasco is also the source of potions of healing. While many criticize Jorasco’s demands for payment, the house maintains that it’s not about greed; it’s about ensuring the prosperity of the house, so they can continue to help future generations.
While the public face of Jorasco is that of the healer, there are rumors that the house engaged in disturbing experiments during the Last War, working with House Vadalis to develop biological weapons and new creatures. A Jorasco heir has to decide if they want to investigate these rumors.
| Spell Level | Spell |
|---|---|
| 1st | Cure Wounds, Healing Word |
| 2nd | Lesser Restoration, Prayer of Healing |
| 3rd | Aura of Vitality, Mass Healing Word |
| 4th | Aura of Purity, Aura of Life |
| 5th | Greater Restoration |
(Eberron: Rising from the Last War)
Welcome, welcome! So good to see you again. Let me get your drink—blackroot tal with honey, yes? And then you have to listen to this story I’ve heard about the strange things going on in the Cogs.
—Alara d’Ghallanda, halfling bartender
They may not always have gold, but a halfling with the Mark of Hospitality is sure to be rich in friends. The magic of the mark allows the bearer to keep a place clean, and to heat, chill, and season food. But it also helps the bearer connect with others.
House Ghallanda
Leader: Yoren d’Ghallanda
Headquarters: Gatherhold (Talenta Plains)
The majority of inns, taverns, and restaurants in the Five Nations are either directly owned by House Ghallanda or licensed by its Hosteler’s Guild. Most people give little thought to House Ghallanda; when compared to the soldiers of House Deneith and the factories of House Cannith, an alliance of innkeepers seems harmless and inconsequential. But Ghallanda’s strength lies in charm and connections. A Ghallanda innkeeper hears many things—if you want to know what’s really going on in a community, talk to the halfling bartender. The leaders of House Ghallanda don’t sell information; they prefer to build friendship and deal in favors. But should a Ghallanda baron ever truly need something, they likely have a favor they can call in.
Ghallanda has a number of “bound businesses”—franchises run directly by the house. The Gold Dragon Inn is such a business, with Gold Dragon Inns being found in every major city, each serving a familiar menu and providing similar services. But many Ghallanda heirs take pride in creating their own unique businesses. There are also many independent restaurants, inns, and taverns licensed by House Ghallanda. The blink dog emblem is an assurance that a locale meets Ghallanda standards of health and quality—but not every inn is run by a halfling.
House Ghallanda’s mandate extends beyond providing creature comforts to travelers. Every one of the house’s enclaves—which are more numerous than those of any other dragonmarked house—is a sanctuary beyond the legal reach of any government or dragonmarked house. Baron Yoren and his daughter Chervina have greatly expanded the house’s presence even in remote areas such as the edge of the Demon Wastes, guided by their study of the Draconic Prophecy.
| Spell Level | Spell |
|---|---|
| 1st | Goodberry, Sleep |
| 2nd | Aid, Calm Emotions |
| 3rd | Create Food and Water, Leomund's Tiny Hut |
| 4th | Aura of Purity, Mordenkainen's Private Sanctum |
| 5th | Hallow |
(Morgrave Miscellany)
The Halflings of the Talenta Plains live a simpler life than the people of the Five Nations. They have no cities, no industrialized magic. But they do have dinosaurs. The halflings have domesticated the dinosaurs of the plains, and use these creatures as mounts, livestock, and beasts of burden. There is a sacred bond between a hunter and their mount, and few people are prepared to face a raging halfling barbarian riding atop a furious clawfoot raptor.
Talenta religion is based around reverence for spirits, both depareted ancestors and the spirits of the natural world. While each tribe has a chieftain who guides and protects the tribe, it is the shamans who consult the spirits and choose the path for migration.