Island Hopping

The Tagata Halflings of Minata

I’ve done a few of these non-human racial ethnicities over the past two years, but each of them was written from a small snippet deep in some book about an existing subculture of a race. This time around I went off on my own to add a new culture of halflings to the world of Golarion. You will not find these halflings mentioned in any of the splat books for Paizo’s campaign world as they are fully created by me. Halflings that have roots in what would be real world Polynesian culture have always been something I wanted to create and so I present to you the Tagata.

History

For many years people thought that halflings were native only to Avistan. When the Chelish colonizers came to Sargava and found that there were tribes of savage halflings roaming the jungles that myth was proven false. Halflings have actually spread out all across the face of Golarion, although in areas where they haven’t attached themselves to human society and culture like Avistan they sometimes go unnoticed.

Although the northern islands of Minata are well explored and trade with the Tian-Xia mainland, much of the southern reaches remains a mystery. The Rendah Pulu region is feared for its demon worshiping humanoids, many of whom are thought to be cannibals. Because of this lack of extensive explorations, the halflings of the region – who call themselves the Tagata meaning “the people” – have gone all but unnoticed.

Most of the history of the Tagata is held in verbal accounts and seems to back up the legends of the Minata region. As the story goes, they migrated with the humans known as the Taumata when the region was one giant landmass that led to Sarusan. When Hei Feng destroyed the mass because of the arrogance of the humans he scattered the remaining islands all across the sea. With everything destroyed the Tagata were sent nearly back to the stone age and were unable to return to their homeland.

The halflings of the islands of Minata very quickly learned to sail and navigate (mechanics note: Tagata halflings replace the Luck racial trait with the Wanderlust racial trait). Many of their number set sail on va’a tele, the great seafaring versions of their outrigger canoes known as va’a. None of these great sea goers ever returned and so the Tagata made a life for themselves hidden away on the islands.

Physiology

For the most part the Tagata halflings are no different from their kin in Avistan or Garund. Their time in the sun and at sea means their skin tends to be darker and more weathered, but that’s about the extent of their physical changes. They still retain grace and strong-will halflings are known for, as well as the keen ears of their people across Golarion.

Society

There are three main parts to the Tagata society: faith, family, and music. The family is regarded as an integral part of a one's life. The aiga, or extended family, works and lives together. Elders in the family are shown great respect and hold the highest status. This may be seen at a traditional Sunday umu, a gathering to eat around the earthen oven known as the umu.

The family lives in a fale, which is a massive wooden structure that has no walls. As many as twenty halflings sleep under the canopy of the fale, representing the entirety of an extended family in many cases. The fale is also used for chatting and relaxing during the day making it a central part of the Tagata family life.

Tattoos play a large role in the Tagata society. Although there are tattooist on each island and even within each tribe, there is but one master tattooist or tufuga ta tatau. The title of tufuga ta tatau is a hereditary one in the clan called the Matai. The Master tattooist is afforded high social status –rivaling that of a chief – and legendary prestige due to his important role in Tagata society.

The traditional tattoo that covers from the waist to the knees worn by the male is called a pe’a. Those halflings who have the full tattoo soga'imiti and are respected for their courage. Those who have yet to begin the tattooing process are called telefua, which literally translates to naked. If one starts the tattooing process and bows out due to pain, or for inability to pay the tattooist they are given a mark of shame and called pe'amutu.

The traditional female tattoo is called the malu and covers much less space and typically has finer and more intricate designs. Originally these tattoos were only for the chief’s daughter, and still to this day the malu given to the daughter of shows her importance to the village. In recent generations other women have also gotten the malu, but this is mainly an excuse for young apprentice tattoo artists to get experience.

Music is also an important part of the Tagata society. Songs are sung and dances performed at almost every important tribal function. Music also finds its way into everyday life and almost every Halfling can be found singing either loudly or to themselves while they perform their work for the day.

The music of the Tagata is heavy on drums as well as a traditional instrument – a rolled up mat beaten with sticks – called the fala. In private for individual amusement small groups will play the jaw harp, raft panpipe, or a nose-blown flute. These instruments are also accompanied by choral singing.

Although most dances are done to some kind of music there is one done without such accompaniment. Fa'ataupati or slap dance is traditionally performed by groups of men. The men clap in sync with each other and this slapping, clapping, and foot stomping replaces the need for instruments. Because of the slapping this dance is usually done after the dancers are covered in coconut oil.

The Tagata hunt and gather on the islands which they reside, but their real love is the sea. Fishing isn’t just an occupation, it is a way of life. Every Tagata learns to sail and fish at an early age. The halflings also do a hefty amount of crabbing for variety. The ocean also supplies shells which are used in art, as trade items, and crafted into musical instruments. Some halflings take up pearl diving supplying their tribes with a means to trade outside of the Tagata culture, as well as for decorations for high ranking members of the clan.

Alignment and Faith

For the most part the Tagata halflings try to live a life at peace with themselves and nature. They are much more worried about their day to day lives than the eternal battle between good and evil or law and chaos. After the destruction of Minata when it was a land bridge they decided not to take sides and remain mostly neutral.

The Tagata worship some of the Tian deities, and pay homage to others as not to upset them. The tribal halflings also worship many tribal spirits alongside the gods of the land. Hei Feng is the most respected deity among the Tagata, both because they fear he could wipe out Minata next time and because he is the god of the sea. The shamans and medicine men of the tribes tend to venerate Qi Zhong for his domain over magic and medicine. Sun Wukong is evoked at almost all celebrations where the Tagata enjoy drinking and the occasional practical joke.

Lady Nanbyo and Yamatsumi aren’t so much worshiped as placated. The region has a few active and dormant volcanoes and earthquakes happen from time to time. The Tagata make sacrifices to both of these deities in an attempted to minimize the destruction they might cause.

Relations

Few if any of the modern Tian people known as the Tian-Sing have had any contact with these halflings. Many think that they are just a myth although the reed boat making Taumata who descended from the original Taumata people of Sarusan do trade with the Tagata halflings. The halflings also have some dealings with the reclusive Wayang who inhabit some of the islands in the Rendah Pulu region.

Many of the other humanoids in the area are dangerous and hostile. Years of sailing around the islands have given Tagata a good idea of which islands are safe and which are leaga, or evil. Some of the halflings have left markings on trees near the shores of these islands to warn away others who may not know of the dangers.

Adventurers

Although the Tagata rarely get beyond the southern reaches of Minata  there is still plenty of places for the young and the brave to find adventure. When the evils of the other islands rises up, Tagata parties will move head first to stop them. Ancient ruins of patently non-tian design have also made their presence known – especially after earthquakes – and young halflings will gather to explore their depths.

Those adventurers with magical might tend to be nature based casters. Shaman, witches, and druids are the most common casters among the Tagata. On occasion oracles and sorcerers will show up in a clan as well. Wizards, arcanists, and magi are almost unheard of. Some worshipers of Qi Zhong focused on natural medicines may become alchemists.

Among the more martial minded hunters, barbarians, rangers and straight-up fighters can be found in abundance. The Tagata have an unarmed style of fighting which mostly deals in hit and run tactics against larger opponent’s knees. Masters of this art becomes well renown brawlers.

Music being a central part of the Tagata cultures means that the halflings of the Minata islands see many bards and skalds among their ranks. Some skalds have mastered the Fa'ataupati and made it into a dance to intimidate any foe. Tagata war singers are often found on the frontlines on the rare occasion the halflings war, and they are a welcome addition to any adventuring party.

What kind of cultures for other races would you like to see? Would you add these halflings to your Golarion campaign? Would you adapt them to your homebrew world? This is just a short write-up, but what other information would you like to see about the Tagata?

The music of the Tagatahalflings is the music of creation, much like the CRB. If you’ve enjoyed this write-up please consider becoming a contributor. Monthly donations of as little as one dollar can be made to my Patreon. A one-time donation can easily be made to my Paypal. Every bit helps me keep the lights on so I can concentrate on bringing you the content you deserve.

The CRB has been growing as a community on social media. Please join us on Facebook, Google+, Tumblr, and Twitter. My inbox is open on all forums for questions, comments, and discussion. If you don’t want to miss a beat make sure you sign up to have the CRB pushed directly to your e-reading device with Kindle Subscriptions through Amazon.