On Middle Earth, Humans share their world with dragons, dwarfs, elves, and... hobbits. What is a hobbit, you ask? Hobbits are a cheerful people, not as tall as dwarfs, and very few grow beards. They typically go about barefoot, as they tend to develop tough soles and their feet are covered with thick curly hair, much like that on their heads. As a whole, hobbits have a tendency to get fat. They love food, and will eat as many as six meals a day where they can get them. They also tend to prefer building their homes in well dug holes rather than building multi-storied structures. Many of these 'Hobbit Holes' are usually furnished and appointed as well or better than most Human houses. This is mainly due to the fact that hobbits are a burrowing people, with a good sense of feel for the earth beneath them and an eye for detail.
Most hobbits detest boating and swimming, seeing it as 'unnatural' and dangerous, although they have no problems with simple bathing. Nor do many of them like taking unnecessary risks. As such, few become adventurers, although they make good scholars and fair scientists. There are several families of hobbits, though who absolutely thrive on adventure and risk taking, but these are considered by the vast majority of their fellows to be reckless and foolish.
In the later Ages of the Sun (4th and 5th Ages), many have turned from their agrarian roots and embraced the technologies that made the Humans so prosperous. Many of them, despite this change, still own and operate sizable tracts of farmland, and take great pride in their humble roots.
When the Time of Rifts hit Earth, a few portals opened in Middle Earth, pulling many of its denizens through them. As yet, only one Hobbit is known to have landed on Rifts Earth, although there may be whole communities of others elsewhere in the American Midwest or northwestern Europe.
Hobbits can choose from any OCC available to Humans, although very few are Psionics. Those who are psychic are never anything greater than a minor psionic.
Natural Abilities: Night vision at a range of 60 feet, sense of direction at 50%, and able to determing whether an underground passage is an up grade or a down grade at 75%.
RCC Skills:
Combat: As per OCC, plus a +1 to dodge. Also, normal-sized beings are -1 to strike at them.
Psionics: 25% chance of being a minor psionic, as per standard rules.
Magic: As per OCC.
Average Life Span: 100 to 120 years
Habitat: Tend to stick to hilly and grassy terrain.
Size: Typically 3 to 3.5 feet tall.
Weight: Normal weight for that height, usually 70-95 lbs.
Equipment: As per OCC. In addition, most (85%) will have a pipe and 1/2lbs of tobacco.
Weapons: Preferred weapons are small arms, including daggers, pistols, and the occasional pike.
Armor: Most Rifts armor will need to be modified or custom tailored, and will lose between 25%-50% of MDC strength.
Vehicles: Very few will ride horses, although ponies are often accepted.