i doubt this very much. the only even halfway political entity in the halfling society is the lodge and yes, they do partially share the name but the lodge and the library of quinsberry are (as far as we know) absolutely not connected. the only thing we get out of this are geneaology records that the halflings of karak eight peak might like... and as rude as this is, they dont matter in the politics of the karak, at least as far as we and the library are concerned. (they do have influence over the food production but eh, we really dont care about that.)
We very much do care about that.
This argument frustrates me. The longer it goes on the more I feel like it becomes one big game of trying to downplay the other faction (Verena or Halflings take your pick) and people trying their best to paint them in a negative light about them.
I prefer Verena, but I will also point out that Halflings matter far more than you think they do. The Lodge is not their only political entity, they are a powerhouse in the Empire's food supply chain because they produce the greatest crop yield from having the most fertile land in the Empire. They are a powerful trading entity that grants Central and Southern Stirland much of its wealth because they get to trade Halfling goods out of the Moot.
The Halflings are the sole suppliers of bulk supplies of Tobacco in the Empire, which is considered a luxury good. The Halflings are the best leatherworkers in the Empire, producing the best leather armor and equipment within its bounds, surpassing the Dwarves who vastly prefer working with steel over animal goods.
The Halflings make up one of the 15 Elector Votes, and Page 216 of the WFRP 2E Core Book says this:
"It is the block vote of the Sigmar contingent that has held the throne in Reikland in recent times, leading to many claims that the cult of Sigmar has a disproportionate amount of power; claims usually made by Ar-Ulric, who will traditionally cast his vote for the Count of Middenland, should he be a contender at the election. The Elder of the Moot is usually quite happy to vote for the heir of the previous Emperor, should there be one. However, it was the controversial vote of Elder Gumble Sparrowthew that hurled the Empire into nine years of anarchy following the death of Boris Goldgather in 1115. The crisis only ended with the election of Emperor Mandred in 1124."
You heard that right. The Elder of the Moot's vote caused the Empire to fall into chaos for 9 years.
It's very easy to underestimate Halflings, but I don't think their political power should be underplayed. They play as vital a role in Imperial society as Dwarves, arguably more actually. Food matters, and that food gives them power.
