Half Elf

Walking in two worlds but truly belonging to neither, half-elves combine what some say are the best qualities of their elf and human parents: human curiosity, inventiveness, and ambition tempered by the refined senses, love of nature, and artistic tastes of the elves. Some half-elves live among humans, set apart by their emotional and physical differences, watching friends and loved ones age while time barely touches them. Others live with the elves, growing restless as they reach adulthood in the timeless elven realms, while their peers continue to live as children. Many half-elves, unable to fit into either society, choose lives of solitary wandering or join with other misfits and outcasts in the adventuring life.

Basic Information

Growth Rate & Stages

Half-elves age at a similar rate to humans, the age of adulthood is recognized depending on whether they are raised with their Human or Elven ancestors.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Half-elf men do have facial hair, and sometimes grow beards to mask their elven ancestry.  Half-elves tend to have the eyes of their elven parents.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Half-elves have no lands of their own, though they are welcome in human cities and somewhat less welcome in elven forests. In large cities in regions where elves and humans interact often, half-elves are sometimes numerous enough to form small communities of their own. They enjoy the company of other half-elves, the only people who truly understand what it is to live between these two worlds.

In most parts of the world, though, half-elves are uncommon enough that one might live for years without meeting another. Some half-elves prefer to avoid company altogether, wandering the wilds as trappers, foresters, hunters, or adventurers and visiting civilization only rarely. Like elves, they are driven by the wanderlust that comes of their longevity. Others, in contrast, throw themselves into the thick of society, putting their charisma and social skills to great use in diplomatic roles or as swindlers.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

While half-elves gain their natural prowess between their respective ancestors, all half-elves share Darkvision.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Half-elves use either human or elven naming conventions. As if to emphasize that they don’t really fit in to either society, half-elves raised among humans are often given elven names, and those raised among elves often take human names.

Lifespan

180 years

Average Height

Male: 5'10" Female: 5'6"

Average Weight

Male: 160lbs Female: 125lbs

Average Physique

To humans, half-elves look like elves, and to elves, they look human. In height, they’re on par with both parents, though they’re neither as slender as elves nor as broad as humans.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Half-elven coloration and features lie somewhere between their human and elf parents and thus show a variety even more pronounced than that found among either race.

Half Elf

Ability Score Increase +2 Cha, and two other ability scores of your choice +1

Size Medium

Speed 30 ft

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Half-Elf Traits

Your half-elf character has some qualities in common with elves and some that are unique to half-elves.

Darkvision

Thanks to your elf blood, you have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Fey Ancestry

You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.

Skill Versatility

You gain proficiency in two skills of your choice.

Elven Heritage

You may forgo Skill Versatility to gain an ancestral trait that corresponds to your Elven Heritage.

Aquatic Half-Elf A half-elf of aquatic heritage can forgo Skill Versatility and instead choose a swimming speed of 30 feet.

Drow Half-Elf A half-elf of drow descent can forgo Skill Versatility and instead choose the drow’s Drow Magic: You know the dancing lights cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the faerie fire spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the darkness spell once with this trait and regain the ability to do so when you finish a long rest. Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

High Half-Elf A half-elf of moon elf or sun elf descent can forego Skill Versatility and instead choose the high elf’s Elf Weapon Training or Cantrip.

Wood Half-Elf A half-elf of wood elf descent can forgo Skill Versatility and instead choose the wood elf’s Elf Weapon Training, Fleet of Foot, or Mask of the Wild.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common, Elvish, and one extra language of your choice.