Ancestry: Half-Elf

Anthropoid | Elf | Fey | Human

Classic

The Half-Elf

"Born in a union between a human and an elf, or two half-elves themselves, the half-elf is a creature of two worlds and two cultures. As a result, half-elves can struggle to fit in in places that require exclusivity, but struggle is not without merit toward an end. More often than not, a Half-Elf marks not only a successful bond, but the spark of something new. To this end, it's little wonder why many find Half-Elves as adventurers of legend."

Note: Half-Elves, or Part Human Part Elves, themselves are not a 'real' ancestry, but do exist as their own thing in some settings or Classic adventures. As a result, this serves as a template/baseline for them, for the sake of bookkeeping. One can achieve the same result from picking the Human Ancestry with the Elven Legacy Versatile Heritage.

Half-Elf Mindset

You Might...

• Be picky about the bonds you make, either keeping to yourself and being entirely closed off, or reaching out to become everyone's friend.
• Strongly embrace, or reject, one side of your lineage or origin.
• Identify strongly with others of mixed ancestry, or who find themselves in a duality that requires nuance..

Others Probably...

• Find that you may represent the best, or worst, of both worlds. Or, they strongly dismiss one side of you for the other.
• Downplay the struggle of being a person of two cultures, not understanding the unique perspective you may have as neither.
• See you as a person who can do great things, even if they would be terrible or evil.

Description

Physical Description

You possess all the characteristics of a human as well as an elf, being as flexible, adaptable, and situational as any other. While you tend to have a bit of the lifespan of elves, you still have the natural ambition that comes from being shorter-lived.

Half-Elves tend to have pointed ears while otherwise looking human, complete with skin color of more 'normal' hues than others. This attribute is what makes Half-Elves so approachable, and yet so mysterious in the eyes of those that care.

Anything Special?

Somehow, being a Half-Elf makes you special. Good job?

Half-Elf Mechanics

Ancestry Statistics

These do not change, unless you have the corresponding Ancestry Talent. All Humans start with these.

Base Stats

• Age. Half-Elves reach physical adulthood around the age of 20, just like humans do. They tend to live much longer, often exceeding 200 years old or more.
• Size. Half-elves are more or less the same size as humans, from barely 5 feet to well over 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.
• Associated Traits. Human, Elf, and Anthropoid (means Humanoid)
• Traditional Attribute Spread. Half-Elves combine the adaptability of Humans with the dextrous and multitudinous ancestry of elves, often being a blend of both that can walk two worlds just fine. While there's no real recommendation as a result, they tend to favor dexterity and charisma due to their ability to be everyone's friend.
• Language(s). Common, Elvish, 1 of other of your choice (+1 per your positive Cha Mod when starting the game, list here)
• Base Movement / Speed. 25 ft
• Senses
• Starting HP (HP per level). 6 (+1)

Ancestry Talents

Human Origin	Humans are one of the most diverse groups on any plane of existence, being able to do just about anything. You become trained in with 2 Primary Skills of your choice, as well as any combination of 2 Secondary Skills or 2 Languages (your choice). This Talent cannot be swapped.

Skilled	You innately know a bit more than other folk. At least when it comes to skills. You gain proficiency in a Primary and Secondary Skill of your choice. At 5th Character Level, you add a bonus dice (base 1d4) to a number of your skills equal to half-proficiency.

Hyperdiversity	Diversity is your strength. You may raise two of your starting Attributes by 1. This talent allows you to raise a stat up to +5 at level 1. Alternatively, you may swap this talent out for any Skill Talent, in addition to any Ancestry Talents you qualify for. Once this talent is swapped, this trait cannot be gained again.

Heritage of the Elves

Like others before you, some elven culture has rubbed off on you. You may pick a Heritage from the list of Heritages available to Elves. You gain everything from that Heritage. Additionally, you gain Low-Light Vision if you didn't have such already, as well as the Trance pseudo-origin Talent if you don't already have such. You, also, gain the Elf and the Fey traits. At Character Level 3, you can start picking Ancestry Talents for Elves. At character level 5, you qualify for Ancestry talents for both Elves and or Feyfolk. Finally, your Starting HP from your ancestry is reduced by 2, to a minimum of 4. As this talent is tied to a heritage, it cannot be regained or swapped, unless under specific circumstances.

Trance

Elves don’t need to sleep, having achieved a state of mind that allows them to rest quicker than others. You may enter a meditative state, remaining semiconscious but somewhat asleep, for 2 hours a day, which just so happens to also be a Short Rest. While meditating, you can dream after a fashion; such dreams are actually mental exercises that have become reflexive through years of practice. After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit that everyone else does from 8 hours of sleep. You may only use this talent once per day. This Talent cannot be swapped.

Heritage Choice

You may pick a heritage. You gain everything listed from such.

Variant Ancestry Talents

Some of your talents can swapped for the ones listed below, or be taken at a later levels via Character Progression. If your GM is using the Classic Ancestries optional rule, you can only take the talents below as you level up, after level 1.

Here are the talents you can swap at level 1.

Here are the ancestry talents you can gain at later levels.

Unlockable at Character level 3

Unlockable at Character level 5

Unlockable at Character level 7

Unlockable at Character level 9

Unlockable at Character level 11

Note: The Origin Customization rule allows you to swap any skill proficiency gained for another you don't have, if playing with traditional or other rules.

Deeper Lore

To Come

Settings

Golarion

Base

There was a remaster/rework, so the lore is in limbo. Will write up something myself.

Names

Most Half-Elves use human names, unless otherwise noted.

Golarion

Aerel, Amrunelara, Caladrel, Dardlara, Faunra, Heldalel, Jathal, Lanliss, Oparal, Seldlon, Soumral, Talathel, Tessara, Variel, Yalandlara, Zordlon

Alignment and Faith

Half-Elves tend to follow the example of humans, though they are welcomed into cultures of Elves more oft than not. Golarion

Human variety also manifests in terms of their governments, attitudes, and social norms. Though the oldest of human cultures can trace their shared histories thousands of years into the past, when compared to the societies of the elves or dwarves, human civilizations seem in a state of constant flux as empires fragment and new kingdoms subsume the old.

Popular Edicts: Explore the world, strive for greatness, devote yourself to a moral outlook. Popular Anathema: Waste what little time you have

Trivia

• There is a very implicit bias whenever you call anything a "Half-x", especially when it comes to TTRPGs. This point will not be dwelled on for too long, but the creator of this game does not condone, or like, any eugenic-related readings of half-elves, both in this game and out.

Examples of Half-Elves

To Come