Stained
Half-elves have at least half elf in their blood; those half-elves that breed back with elves are always considered half-elven, regardless of how long ago the non-elf blood was introduced. Those half-elves who do not breed with elves (thus diluting the elven strain even further) are considered by elves to be totally non-elven. These crosses have none of the abilities normally associated with either elves or half-elves.
Elves typically see these children as inferior mongrels. They may try to tolerate presence of half-elves, but they view them as simply longer-lived humans. Thus, while half-elves are not often driven from elf lands, neither are they made to feel overly welcome, even as children, nor are there tears at their departure.
In Alcirya, half-elves are regarded as a sort of superior breed; they are regarded as mysterious, powerful and are often ostracized because they are ‘more than human.’ Point in fact, many Appollonians are jealous of their inherently mystical blood. In the Free Lands, half-elves are often considered with suspicion and kept at arm’s length.
Half-elves often become introverted, sullen, and embittered because of their separation from regular society. Half-elves are never accepted in Hurin society, for half-elves serve as a palpable reminder of all that the Hurin wish to eradicate.
Although there are rare exceptions, half-elves are predominantly also half human; elven genes typically cannot cross with anything other than human genes. Most half-elves are of Anaar Eldain (high elf) descent.
It is entirely possible to encounter half-elves from all the major species; they are simply not as common as half-elves of Anaar stock. However, few of them have inherited all, if any, of their parents' abilities.
Since they are human and elven both in demeanor, half-elves are generally easily recognizable as such. They are taller and heavier than the average elf, though their hair and eyes often reflect those of their human parent. However, they also take on some of the features of the elven parent.
Hurin Eldain half-elves, while extremely rare, exist only in human society, since they never find homes with Hurin. They are less easy to spot than many other half-elves, for the hair and eyes of grey elves are often close to human standards. The hair and eyes of these half-elves are of a lighter tinge than many humans, but aside from the pointed ears, these half-elves can be confused as smaller humans.
As with Hurin, the descendants of Anaar can easily be mistaken for humans for a short while. Since the high elf coloration is nearly identical to that of humans (although the skin is somewhat paler), their half-elf children pass among the shorter-lived races with few problems. As long as they keep their ears covered and perhaps do something to disguise their angular features, they can usually remain unnoticed.
The half-elves of Miru Eldain blood have the easiest time passing through human lands. Since Miru are the largest of their breed and their skin tans, the Miru half-elves can pass themselves off as humans fairly well. These half-elves take to the forest easily and often become rangers; since they are on the fringes of society anyway, it is only natural that they would take a life that reflects this.
The children of two half-elves generally appear as did their parents. In cases where a half-elf's parents were descended from different species of elf, the results are varied. Fifty percent of the time, the child will take on a mixture of the parents' characteristics; 25% of the time the child will resemble the mother, and 25% of the time resemble the father.
Since they have difficulty being totally accepted in either world, half-elves tend to be travelers and loners, alternating between human and elf societies. When life sours in one, they move to the other for a time. They have come to see the best of both worlds.
Infravision, 60 ft.
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