From lore and descriptions to traits and abilities, learn all about Ghostwise Halflings in D&D 5e
Halflings are short humanoids, standing at about 3ft tall, making them shorter (and less stocky) than even Dwarves. They’re similar in nature and stature to the Hobbits of Lord of the Rings enjoying home comforts, friendship and steering well clear of any trouble that might be brewing (though they’re happy to get near any ale that might be brewing).
Ghostwise Halflings are the least common of the Halfling subspecies and their main hallmark are the psychic abilities common among this Halfling tribe. In particular, most Ghostwise Halflings are capable of telepathy, though some do develop other psychic gifts.
Ghostwise Halflings were introduced in the Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide for D&D 5e and our guide below will tell you everything you need to know to play as one of these diminutive characters.
What are Ghostwise Halflings?
Halflings come in a few different varieties in D&D 5e. All of them though, can be identified by their short height (about 3ft tall). They tend to have tan to pale skin, curly hair, little facial hair and a stoutness that comes from enjoying many home-cooked breakfasts. The differences in Halfling variants are fairly minimal; most share the same basic traits but with certain groups adopting certain different behaviours and attitudes, there’s enough to differentiate them by subspecies (just about). These are:
- Lightfoot Halflings
- Stout Halflings
- Ghostwise Halflings
Ghostwise Halflings are the least common of the Halfling subspecies and were a clan that were once involved in the worship of the violent deity, Malar. The Stronghearts and Lightfoots allied against this clan and its savagery centuries ago, defeating them and leaving them depleted. The Ghostwise Halflings have since atoned for their crimes through a vow of silence. They are now much scarcer than the other Halfling clans, only really found in the Chondalwood and a few other isolated forests.
Unlike most other Halflings, Ghostwise Halflings tend to stay near their tribe and lack the same kind of wanderlust as their kin. Perhaps this is due to their scarcity and the need to keep the tribe strong. It usually takes a very compelling reason to lead a Ghostwise Halfling to leave their tribe, and usually, it’s linked to the support of the tribe itself.
How to play as a Ghostwise Halfling
As with all D&D 5e races, Ghostwise Halflings come with all kinds of personalities and it’s not unusual to see some break from the norm, especially with their happiness to integrate into the cultures and settlements of other races. Despite this, there are certain traits that are often common among Ghostwise Halflings. You can use the below ideas to form your character or can consider how and why your Halfling might deviate from the norm:
- Avoiding trouble – Ghostwise Halflings know they’re not the biggest or toughest creatures around. How does your Halfling survive in this dangerous world? Do you try to negotiate around problems, hide away or do you make sure you’ve got friends that are much larger and imposing than yourself?
- Friendly – Halflings are friendly folk that can find goodness in just about anyone. You’ll likely find it easy to develop friendships and other races may also trust you more easily for that.
- Home comforts – While many Halflings do have an intense wanderlust, they also love the comforts of home. While you’re adventuring, you may certainly desire a comfortable stay in a warm inn with piping hot food and a cool ale (perhaps from a smaller mug than everyone else).
- Silent history – Because of their history of being silent for so long and their telepathic capabilities, Ghostwise Halflings may display slightly different behaviours. It’s up to you how this manifests. Perhaps you talk less, communicate more naturally using psychic powers or some other quirk. Consider your background here as a small clan fighting for survival and with the weight of grave misdeeds on the shoulders of your ancestors.
Ghostwise halfling features in 5e
| Ability Scores | +2 Dexterity; +1 Wisdom |
| Creature Type | Humanoid |
| Size | Small |
| Speed | 25ft |
| Languages | Common and Halfling |
| Traits | Lucky, Brave, Nimble, Silent Speech |
| Book found in | Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide |
If you want to play as a Ghostwise Halfling, your character will have the following traits and abilities:
Ghostwise halfling traits
Lucky – When you roll a 1 on an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, you can reroll the die. You must use the new result, even if it is a 1.
Brave – You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.
Nimble – You can move through the space of any creature that is of a size larger than yours.
Silent Speech. You can speak telepathically to any creature within 30 feet of you. The creature understands you only if the two of you share a language. You can speak telepathically in this way to one creature at a time.