Cropping

A sad tradition in which half elves willingly choose to, or are forced to, crop their pointed ears to appear more human.

History

This tradition harkens back before even the Long Night when Half Elves were shunned by one or both of their parental species. Elves would forcebly remove the tips of a Half Breeds ear before exiling them from the community with brands upon their body naming them as "abominaitons" or "mistake" or something similarly vile. The tradition carried on as many Half Elves found that many humans were distrusting of elves and half elves, and would crop the telltell elven curve to their ears to appear more human.

Execution

The original ceremony was a brutal and heart breaking thing, the heretic mother or father were forced to watch as the offsprings ears were mutilated or very often removed entirely, then a brand burned upon their face where it could not be hidden. some human settlements similarly oppressed their half breeds mutilating their ears without the branding. many half leves choose to crop their ears early on before they are assaulted for being a half breed by either culture.

Components and tools

Elves would use shears or daggers to remove the tips of the ear, and iron brands specially made to outcast their half breed kin. Humans used whatever sharpest or hottest tool was on hand. Finally, Half elves most often used potent pain killers or healing potions to quickly and as painlessly as possible remove the tips from their ears.

Observance

In elven culture the parents were often forced to watch the mutilation of their child as punishment for abandoning the traditions of the community.