"Quote" - Author, Title
Thirewyn is known to several populations of 'half-species', or 'half-bloods' which consist of liniages from two seperate, or more, species. Most commonly found in Human and Elven Half-Elves, this extends to any person who is a mixture between two distinct species. The result of this combination can result in changes to their appearance, personalities, upbringings, and cultural acceptability.
Not all 'civilized species' in Thirewyn are looked at by societies the same, and each culture and population center has a variation of any other species that includes their own traditions and beliefs, making it impossible to document the account of each variation. However, this will serve as a baseline for how each species' half-blood will most commonly be treated, with some specific examples in cultural norms that affect the average reaction to a 'half-blood'.
Generally, 'Half-Bloods' take the traits, personalities, physical features, and ideals of their parents, which can lead to varying combinations. Human-Elven 'Half-Bloods' may find themselves as a more 'well-rounded' offspring best suited for adventuring or normal life, while a Dwarven-Gnome 'Half-Blood' will more likely take the traits of their parents and become invested in the desire to craft, perhaphs taking on adventuring further than their parents due to their mixed stature and independant attitude. Ultimately, the combination of traits an offspring has between two species is based on the traits of the parents, though the ultimate combination of dominant and passive traits will vary.
Human Half-Bloods:
Likely the most common variation is a Human and Elven liniague, but others do exist in varying forms. Human and Elven populations are often mixed throughout most of the continent, leading to the occassional offspring being produced with both of the parent's traits. This is especially common in the Vale province and Elven Peninsula in the Northern Riverlands where populations of both make up the large majority of cities. Half-Elves, as they are commonly known, are not a rare sight, and generally welcomed like any other, with some saying that it mixes the best traits of both species to form the perfect blend. Due to their upbringing, Half-Elves commonly have a yearning for adventure and a devotion to friends and family, some even joining the military to serve. Half-Elves also commonly, but not always, have a gnack for magical capabilities making them prime suiters for upencoming wizards or even battlefield magic users.
Other Human 'half-bloods' exist, to a less common extent. Dwarves are the second most common paring with humans, particuarly through mutual aspirations such as smithing or adventuring. Human-Halfling pairings are the third most common, primarily among farmers and small-town populations where the days go by slower and the people tend to have more humble desires. Gnomes also fall into this category to a lesser extent, but still significant enough over time to not be considered too unusual.
Due to the general reputation among Orcs, and Orcs that reside in their territories having limited, if any, interaction with other races, there are only a handful of instances known to modern records that indicate that an Human-Orc offspring has ever been produced, and if seen by the general public, would likely pose more of a sense of concern than a full-fledgling Orc themselves in town. It's unclear if this would change, or help bridge the gap between Orcish relations with other species.
Elven Half-Bloods:
While ancestors of older times or current populations within the Elven Dominion would largely discredit the idea of pure-blooded Elves mingling with other species and producing offspring, it is the most common pairing within Alanor and is not an uncommon sight within the Empire. In fact, since the years before the Empire's founding the territory known as the Eddington Confederation (modern-day Vale and Northern Riverlands) was mixed with a high Half-Elven population due to the large population of Elves that are presumed to have migrated many centuries before. The Vale to this day still has the highest population for Half-Elves, almost exclusively with Humans.
Elven Half-Bloods with other species are significantly less common, even when considering a more equal lifespan between other species versus Humans. While it's not entirely clear as to why this trend is, it is often explained that Elfs are often attracted to Humans because they live passionately and die young, leading to several potential pairings over an Elf's life. While studies don't show this is typically the cause, it does leave questions as to why this is.
Without official census records, it's hard to determine just how many offspring have been produced between Elfs and Gnomes or Halflings, but estimates range within 1,000. Elves especially refrain from picking Dwarves as romantic partners, atleast to produce offspring. Many wittedly theorize it is because of the size comparrison, or that Dwarves would snap a frail Elf in half if an argument ensued, but it is likely due to life paths that both species tend to have which often leave them incompatable, or disinterested in pursuing a long-term committment. There are no known reports of offspring between an Elf and an Orc in the known world, and to most Elves it would likely be considered an insult to even consider.
Dwarven Half-Bloods:
Dwarves since largely integrating into society have been known to mingle and become involved with Humans, especially among adventuring parties, craftsmen, and other hands-on lifestyles. While the casual observer may bat an eye for a Human-Dwarven offspring, they are largely known to take the stoutness and strength of their Dwarven parent and physical features of their Human parent, making them look largely similar to the common Human physically.
Interestingly, Dwarven and Gnome pairings are the nearly tied and the second-most common pairing with Dwarves. It's believed this is due to the shared personality for adventuring and crafting, as well as commonality between the two from their ancestors which would often reside underground for the majority of their lives.
Unsurprisingly, Dwarven-Elven pairings are very uncommon, often leading to average height offspring with various traits of either parent, which can lead them to be overzelous to combine the cultures of both parents into their life which limits their own ambition and path in life.
When it comes to Dwarven and Halfling 'Half-Bloods', well, it's probably about what you think. Dwarves find many Halflings too rambictuous and loud to be around for long stints of time, while Halflings may often find Dwarves too serious and focused to have fun around. It is unclear what the perfect date for a Dwarven-Halfling couple would be, but it's certain to have an entertaining fallout.
While Dwarves generally respect Orcs' ability to craft and survive independently, most Dwarves who still cling to the old ways and would have the most in common are in their own areas of seclusion away from all populations, Orcs included. So long as a fight doesn't break out and they are mild-mannered, a Dwarven-Orcish encounter may not end in bloodshed, but it is unlikely to result in offspring.
Gnome Half-Bloods:
Known for their desire to tinker and craft, Gnomes traditionally gravitate towards individuals that can help them meet that goal, or who will support it. As a result, Gnomes most often romantically pair internally amongst their own populations, creating an almost factory-like family who all work on one project at a time together.
While Gnomes are not against pairing with other species, it is much less likely. While not intentionally pureist, they prefer those of their own stature and passions and find it most fitting amongst their own communities.
Halfling Half-Bloods:
Halflings, known for being humble, if a bit rambunctious at times, often gravitate towards those with similar personalities, regardless of species. For the typical Halfling, if you know how to tend your crop, hold your ale, and celebrate the minor victories, they'll be happy to suit you on the spot, and many may try. While they often have an infectious personality and illudes confidence and passion, they also appreciate the finer things in life, like rest and good food. If you can supply that, you are already on the track to win a Halfling over.
The most common pairings for Halflings, outside of their own communities, are Humans who Halflings may think are an overall round pick for a suitor. Both a protector, physically and culturally, but also able to celebrate and enjoy festivities together. Halflings will likewise take Gnomes, Dwarves, even Elves, if they can stand them, as suitors so long as their ideals and personalities allign. Though it is more likely they will become close friends or lovers than full-time romantic companions or parents.
Orc Half-Bloods:
While there are limited and vague records of Orcish Half-Bloods existing, it's unclear who these are, what their traits would be, or otherwise how they would be integrated into society. Orcs who have mingled in society only live to traditional Human years, while Orcs in settlements and independant will survive around 50 years on the higher end. Mixed with the consideration that Orcs are often still seen as 'beast-folk' by many in the Empire, resorting to lives as sellswords or other lifestyles not congruant to traditional family raising, Orcs who do reproduce do so almost exclusively internally.
