The trade routes through the middle continent between the Orphaned Sea and the central mountains of the Maiden's Spine must all pass through the Haunts. Such places pose dangers to the unwary mortals who risk undeath, enslavement, or becoming a snack for something even in their more civilized areas. It is for this reason, that many a traveling merchant breaks into tears of joy upon reaching Hillsward Cottage, the land of the halflings! Ruled by a moot of clever diplomats, the Halflings take it with great pride that there is no place in all the continent that is more welcoming than their homeland.
Their close relations with Vampires, Goblins, Orcs, and a half a dozen other races through trade means that few would dare disturb the peaceful valley and hills that they call home. And who would want too? The last army to invade this place found itself too well stuffed, too well provisioned, and too well entertained to even countenance the thought of looting or pillaging their kind hosts! The story of the army that was too fat, upon leaving, to buckle their sword belts back on once they left, is proverbial across the continent. Now it is every soldier's dream to be deployed to Hillsward Cottage as part of some diplomatic mission or other!