Lalafell

Most don't know it, but Ul'dah was once ours — the Lalafells'. Till the promise of gil brought in all the others, that is. Now I can't talk to half these leeches without looking up. Ruined my bloody neck, it has.

— Neymumu, Ul'dahn Citizen

Long ago, the lalafell lived as masters of agriculture and spread across the land along trade routes, selling their produce and becoming one of the most widespread races there is. In time, the Dunesfolk became so wealthy, they established their own desert city-state known as Ul'dah. Though generally cheery, these tiny folk are highly ambitious and are not afraid to take hold of opportunity when it appears before them.

Their singularly business-minded nature can lead to them being perceived as greedy and calculating, but few can find in their hearts to entirely dislike the lalafell, with their inherently bright and jovial nature. As such, examples of lalafell being persecuted by other races are few and far between.

Tiny Yet Mighty¶

Lalafell anatomy sees these kindly people rarely growing to be 3 feet tall. Their short bodies are rotund, with short feeble looking legs. But appearances can be deceiving, as lalafellin bodies are highly efficient, allowing them to travel long distances on their short legs.

According to outside races, lalafell lack any sexual dimorphism short of males sometimes sporting facial hair. It can be often hard to tell at a glance what gender a lalafell is, nor even their age.

Due to their general bodyshape (and their agricultural heritage), some crasser folk may — out of earshot, of course — disparagingly call them 'popotoes,' the word for potatoes in the Common tongue.

In regards to the lalafellin subraces themselves, the Plainsfolk have larger, pointed ears with greatly improved hearing, while the Dunesfolk developed a film which covers their eyes, protecting them from the sun and sand of the desert.

Products of the Land¶

When lalafell set out thousands of years ago from their homeland in the fertile isles of the South Seas, their landing places set the scene for two diverse peoples. The Plainsfolk started off as agriculturalists living their lives on their farms, eventually trading their goods across the land, as well as lalafellin children. The Dunesfolk began and remain as desert-dwelling folk, their bodies adapting to the harsh conditions. It is said that the Dunesfolk have long laced their teas with traces of venom, that they might better survive in a land rife with deadly snakes and scorpions.

Rolling Planes and Towering Dunes¶

The lalafell can trace their ancestry back to two key areas. The Plainsfolk began as farmers across the southern seas, farming the fertile lands of their namesake.

The Dunesfolk were not so lucky to have farmable land and instead turned to animal husbandry. Traditionally Dunesfolk built their homes on the backs of beasts of burden, traveling with their herds. Originally hailing from the fallen city of Mhach, the ancestors of the Dunesfolk sought a new homeland after its fall. Eventually, the Dunesfolk founded Ul'dah, a great city of wealth, where many of their kind live today.

Family and Fortune¶

Lalafells care deeply for their small families and would do anything for them. They may set out on an adventure to support their families or in their defense. Not all lalafells have such pure goals though: ambition is rampant within the tiny lalafellin race. Their merchants traverse the most harrowing obstacles, their researchers seek knowledge in the most dangerous places, and their sellswords take on the hairiest tasks. Lalafells may be small, but they take on the world in a big way.

Lalafell Names¶

Lalafellin names are made up of a given name and a ‘courtesy name' bestowed upon reaching adulthood. The latter is not a family name, but rather unique to the individual. Lalafellin names trace their origins to songs and poems in the old tongue, and are ruled by rhyme, rhythm, and repetition.

This means that lalafells generally do not have surnames unless they come from royalty, which adds their family name in the middle. Each gender and subrace of lalafell have their own set of naming rules, detailed below. Each letter indicates a syllable or pair of syllables.

Lalafell Naming Convention¶

Male Plainsfolk Names. Budadi Yidadi, Egul Sagul, Erelo Forelo, Elehul Pedulehul, Gusis Shisis

Female Plainsfolk Names. Icucu Icu, Badada Bada, Usoso Uso, Kikuku Kiku.

Male Dunesfolk Names. Wowokima Chichikima, Sheshehici Rorohici, Hihihebo Ruruhebo, Tutushuhu Kukushuhu, Gogoreba Susureba

Female Dunesfolk Names. Ejaja Eja, Babayi Bayi, Rerega Rega, Chochosha Chosha, Bobochu Bochu, Lelepu Lepu

Lalafell Traits¶

Your lalafell character has certain characteristics in common with all other lalafell.

Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 2.

Age. These smallfolk are able to live just as long as the other races. Lalafells reach physical maturity around the age of 18, and live until their mid-eighties.

Alignment. Generally speaking, lalafells lean towards a Good-natured alignment, though some shrewder businessmen may venture away from this approach to life. Neither the Plainsfolk or Dunesfolk have a inclination to Law or Chaos, with individuals falling into all categories.

Size. Lalafells are a diminutive people who see no difference in height due to gender. Their heights on average range from 2 fulms and 8 ilms to just over 3 fulms. Your size is small.

Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 fulms.

Cunning. You have advantage on all Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic.

Lalafellin Nimbleness. You can move through the space of any creature that is of a size larger than yours.

Languages. You can speak, read and write Common and Lalafellin.

Subrace. The lalafell come from two distinct groups of people. Select one of the two subraces of lalafell.

Plainsfolk¶

As a Plainsfolk, you have spent some time working in agriculture, or have had information passed down to you from your family. Your highly sensitive ears and knowledge of farming has led to the development that sets you apart from your fellow lalafell, the Dunesfolk.

Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases by 1.

Naturally Stealthy. You can attempt to hide even when when you are obscured only by a creature that is at least one size larger than you.

Dunesfolk¶

As a Dunesfolk, you've adapted to the harsh desert environments and thrived. The land from which you hail is known for its riches and merchantry as much as its known for his corruption.

Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 1.

Dustshield. Your eyes have developed a film to protect them from desert conditions. You have advantage on saving throws against being blinded.

Land of Merchants. You gain proficiency in the Deception skill.