Description:
Half-elves are the result of crossbreeding between elves and humans. An average half-elf male stands around 5 ft. 6 in. in height, with females averaging an inch shorter. They have pointed ears, but their features tend to favor the human parent a bit more than the elf. Half-elves are well tolerated by humans in most cases, but are often shunned (or at best, ignored) by elven society.
Morals and Ethics:
Half-elves often develop a unique ethical and moral framework that sets them apart from other races. Embracing the best of both worlds, half-elves tend to value empathy, understanding the struggles of being an outsider. Their experiences of acceptance by humans and rejection by elves foster a strong sense of individualism and resilience. They often seek to balance personal freedom with a respect for traditions.
Caught between two worlds, half-elves frequently exhibit a deep curiosity and a desire to explore and understand other cultures. This drives them to bridge gaps between different societies, leveraging their nuanced perspective to mediate and foster cooperation. Their ethical outlook combines a respect for communal responsibilities from their elven heritage with a human emphasis on individual rights and achievement.
Views on Race:
- Dwarves: Half-elves admire the dwarven work ethic and the strong sense of community and tradition that dwarves uphold. However, they might also find dwarven culture to be somewhat insular and rigid, contrasting with their own more adaptable and inclusive outlook. Despite these differences, half-elves often value the reliability and strength that dwarves bring to any alliance.
- Halflings: Half-elves might view halflings with a sense of warmth and admiration. The hospitality, resourcefulness, and community-oriented nature of halflings can be appealing to half-elves, who often seek a sense of belonging. They might appreciate the halflings' ability to find joy in the simple pleasures of life and their knack for making others feel welcome. The easy-going and inclusive attitude of halflings could provide half-elves with a respite from the harsher judgments they face elsewhere.
- Humans: Humans are generally more accepting of half-elves, at least compared to elves. Half-elves might appreciate the adaptability, ambition, and diversity found within human cultures. However, they may also be wary of human tendencies toward short-term thinking and rapid change, valuing the stability and long-term perspective of their elven heritage. Overall, half-elves often feel more at home among humans, despite still being viewed and treated as outsiders.
- Elves: Half-elves might have mixed feelings toward full-blooded elves. On one hand, they may admire the grace, wisdom, and deep connection to nature that elves embody. However, the frequent rejection and cold treatment they receive from elven society can lead to feelings of resentment or alienation. Half-elves might see elves as embodying a beautiful but sometimes aloof and rigid culture, struggling to reconcile their admiration for elven traditions with the pain of exclusion.
- Half-orcs: Half-elves often have a complicated and somewhat cold relationship with half-orcs. Both groups, as products of mixed heritage, frequently struggle to understand each other's cultural backgrounds. However, this initial coldness and struggle for mutual understanding can, if overcome, forge one of the strongest bonds between any two races. The shared experience of being outsiders in their respective societies provides a common ground that can lead to deep empathy and respect.
Race Restrictions:
Half-elves are required to have a minimum Intelligence of 9, and like elves they may not have Constitution scores higher than 17. They do not suffer from the elven hit dice limit.
Class Restrictions:
Half-elves may become members of any class or combination allowed to elves.
Special Abilities:
Half-elves are able to
find secret doors on a 1-2 on 1d6, but do not find secret doors on a cursory examination as elves do. Half-elves gain a bonus of
+5% on all earned experience,
except if the half-elf is a member of a combination class.
Saving Throws:
Half-elves save at
+1 vs. Magic Wands and Spells.
Combination Classes
To become a member of a combination class, a character must meet the requirements of both classes. Combination class characters use the best attack bonus and the best saving throw values of their original two classes, but must gain experience equal to the combined requirements of both base classes to advance in levels. Elves and half-elves are the only characters eligible to be a member of one of these combination classes.
Half-elves forego the 5% on all earned experience earned if they select the combination classes option:
- Fighter/Magic-User: These characters may both fight and cast magic spells; further, they are allowed to cast magic spells while wearing armor. These characters roll six-sided dice (d6) for hit points.
- Magic-User/Thief: Members of this combination class may cast spells while wearing leather armor and may use any weapon. These characters roll four-sided dice (d4) for hit points.
