Halfling

(Homo pilosipedibus)

Most Halflings are natives of the southern regions of the continent of Jotunheim on the planet Elysium. If you ask them about their origins, they’ll claim they have always existed in these lands. While they maintain a strong connection to their homeland, some historians speculate that these beings are the descendants of post-humans who journeyed from Earth before The Event.

The true origins of Halflings, however, remain shrouded in deep secrecy, a topic they prefer to keep largely to themselves. This enigmatic lineage traces back to their creation during World War 3 on Earth when they were initially developed as classified genetically modified military units. The project began with a Middle Eastern nation seeking to forge a new breed of post-human soldiers. The goal was ambitious—these genetically enhanced individuals were designed to excel in infiltration, subterfuge, and stealth operations. They became known as the Mazzikin, a name that still resonates among Halflings today as a point of pride and identity.

Throughout the course of the war, military espionage led to several other nations gaining access to the genetic template of the Mazzikin, prompting them to create their own variations. However, as time went on, the Mazzikin, or Halflings as they would later be widely recognized, started to show signs of being unreliable assets. The Halflings began to resist orders from their handlers, displaying a burgeoning sense of individuality and freedom that they had not been intended to possess. This disobedience was coupled with a powerful sense of wanderlust, compelling them to pursue lives outside the rigid confines of military control.

Furthermore, the Halflings developed an unexpected sense of racial identity that transcended national boundaries. In the heat of battle, they often hesitated to act against others of their kind, no matter the allegiances they had been programmed to uphold. This newfound autonomy and sense of camaraderie among their kind led to increasing tensions with their military overseers, culminating in a series of events that would grant them their hard-won freedom.

After the conclusion of World War 3, several small groups of Halflings successfully evaded capture and eventually carved out lives for themselves as colonists on Elysium. They sought to build communities where they could foster a sense of belonging and self-determination, away from the shadow of their military origins. On Elysium, they found a land rich in opportunities, allowing them to establish settlements that honor their unique heritage while forging new traditions that eschew their militant past and instead revolve around living a good life that celebrates home and family.