Half-Elf

The half-breeds who have no home in either world

Base Racial Traits

Ability Score Modifiers: (+2 Dexterity, +2 to any other ability score of their choice) Half-elves inherit the extreme dexterity from their Elven parents and the adaptability of their human parents.
Size: Half-elves are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
Type: Half-elves are humanoid creatures with both the human and the elf subtypes.
Base Speed: Half-elves have a base speed of 30 feet.
Vision: Half-elves have low-light vision, allowing them to see twice as far as humans in conditions of low-light.
Languages: Half-elves begin play speaking The Regional Language(See Languages of Zheng-Kitar) that reflects their origins, and either Old Elven or Baltairi. Half-elves with high Intelligence scores can choose from any non-secret language.
Elven Immunities: Half-elves are immune to magic sleep effects and gain a +2 racial saving throw bonus against enchantment spells and effects.
Adaptability: Half-elves receive Skill Focus as a bonus feat at 1st level.
Keen Senses: Half-elves receive a +2 racial bonus on Perception checks.
Multitalented: Half-elves choose two favored classes at first level and gain +1 hit point or +1 skill point whenever they take a level in either one of those classes.
Elven Lineage: Half-elves gain a specific trait depending on which type of elf they are descended from(Forest, Desert, Sea, Cloud, High Elf). Pick your lineage and take the trait listed below:

• Desert Elf: Gain the 'Animalistic Mind' racial trait from Desert Elves.
• Forest Elf: Gain the 'Animal Whisperer' racial trait from Forest Elves.
• Sea Elf: Gain the 'Seafriend' racial trait from Sea Elves.
• Cloud Elf: Gain the 'Perfect Physique' racial trait from Cloud Elves.
• High Elf: Gain the 'Feywild Natives' racial trait from High Elves.

Elf Blood: Half-elves count as both elves and humans for any effect related to race.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Half Elves inherit most of their anatomy from their human parents - they inherit only the ephemeral and comely beauty as well as the lean build from their elven parents, as well as their elven parent's ears, though theirs are less pronounced and more rounded. Otherwise, they resemble baseline humanity.

Biological Traits

Half-elves stand taller than humans but shorter than elves. They inherit the lean build and comely features of their elven lineage, but their skin color is normally dictated by their human side. While half-elves retain the pointed ears of elves, theirs are more rounded and less pronounced. Their eyes tend to be human-like in shape, but feature an exotic range of colors from amber or violet to emerald green and deep blue. This pattern changes for half-elves of drow descent, however. Such elves are almost unfailingly marked with the white or silver hair of the drow parent, and more often than not have dusky gray skin that takes on a purplish or bluish tinge in the right light, while their eye color usually favors that of the human parent.

Genetics and Reproduction

Half-Elves reproduce through sexual reproduction, and inherit the fertility of their human parents tempered with the relatively low sex drive from their elven parents - making them a perfect middle ground between the two races. Much like humans, Half-elven females carry their young inside of them between 7-9 months and give live birth shortly thereafter.

Growth Rate & Stages

Half-Elves reach full-maturity around age 20, after which they are considered full adults for the most part - though their elven parents tend to not recognize them as adults until much later. They hit middle age at age 100, become old at age 150, and reach venerable at age 200 and die some years later - this lifespan puts them in well with Dwarves, as despite their traditional mistrust of elves, see a half-elf’s human parentage as something hopeful, and treat them as half-humans rather than half-elves. Additionally, while dwarves are long-lived, the lifespan of the stout folk is closer to a half-elf’s own than that of either of her parents.
As a result, half-elves and dwarves often form lasting bonds, be they ones of friendship, business, or even competitive rivalry.

Ecology and Habitats

Half-Elves, owing to their human parents, can adapt and fit into almost any habitate or environment, but owing to their elven parents are often most comfortable in forest habitats - and like their elven parents, they tend to live in and around nature.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The diet of a Half-elf depends on which parent they were raised around - Half Elves raised around human parents tend to be omnivores, while Half-Elves raised around elven parents tend to prefer herbivorous diets.

Biological Cycle

Thanks to their Elven Heritage, Half-Elves show little signs of aging externally until their twilight years, keeping their youth and beauty until they reach venerable age, whereupon their physical form rapidly ages as their years catch up to them all at once.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Half-elves retain the pointed ears of elves, though theirs are more rounded and less pronounced. Their faces retain the smooth, gentle beauty of Elves, and possess an emphemeral beauty only matched by full Elvenkind.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Half-elves can be found in almost every corner of Zheng-Kitar, and much like their human parents are capable of adapting to any type of locale or environment.

Average Intelligence

Half-elves tend to be as smart or a bit smarter than baseline humanity, thanks to their Elven heritage.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Half-elves, thanks to their elven heritage, have eyes adapted to conditions of low-light and can see twice as far as humans in such conditions.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Half-Elves take their name from either humans or elves, depending on which of their parent species they grow up around.

History

Elves have long drawn the covetous gazes of other races. Their generous lifespans, magical affinity, and inherent grace each contribute to the admiration or bitter envy of their neighbors. Of all their traits, however, none so entrance their human associates as their beauty. Since the two races first came into contact with each other, humans have held up elves as models of physical perfection, seeing in these fair folk idealized versions of themselves. For their part, many elves find humans attractive despite their comparatively barbaric ways, and are drawn to the passion and impetuosity with which members of the younger race play out their brief lives.
Sometimes this mutual infatuation leads to romantic relationships. Though usually short-lived, even by human standards, such trysts may lead to the birth of half-elves, a race descended from two cultures yet inheritor of neither. Half-elves can breed with one another, but even these “pureblood” half-elves tend to be viewed as bastards by humans and elves alike. Caught between destiny and derision, half-elves often view themselves as the middle children of the world.

Work with your GM to discuss what Alternates and Feats you might take from Human or the Elf Race of your lineage, and what they might replace, etc.

Lifespan

200 years

Conservation Status

Half-Elves are common enough to be found everywhere, as they have no unified homeland.

Average Height

5.6ft – 7.2ft (1.5m - 2.01m)

Average Weight

100lbs - 180lbs (45.3kg - 81.6kg)

Average Physique

Half-elves stand taller than humans but shorter than elves. They inherit the lean build and comely features of their elven lineage.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Half-elven eyes tend to be human-like in shape, but feature an exotic range of colors from amber or violet to emerald green and deep blue. This pattern changes for half-elves of drow descent, however. Such elves are almost unfailingly marked with the white or silver hair of the drow parent, and more often than not have dusky gray skin that takes on a purplish or bluish tinge in the right light, while their eye color usually favors that of the human parent.
Barring drow lineage, Half-Elven skin tends to run the gamut much like humanity though they lean towards lighter skin tones, with brilliant and bright hair colors that trace back to their elven parents.

Related Ethnicities

• Baltairan

Related Myths

• The Midnight Rider

Children of both worlds

Their lack of a unified homeland and culture forces half-elves to remain versatile, able to conform to nearly any environment. While often considered attractive to both races for the same reasons as their parents, half-elves rarely fit in with either humans or elves, as both races see too much evidence of the other in them. This lack of acceptance weighs heavily on many half-elves, yet others are bolstered by their unique status, seeing in their lack of a formalized culture the ultimate freedom. As a result, half-elves are incredibly adaptable, capable of adjusting their mind-sets and talents to whatever societies they find themselves in.
Even half-elves welcomed by one side of their heritage often find themselves caught between cultures, as they are encouraged, cajoled, or even forced into taking on diplomatic responsibilities between human and elven kind. Many half-elves rise to the occasion of such service, seeing it as a chance to prove their worth to both races. Others, however, come to resent the pressures and presumptions foisted upon them by both races and turn any opportunity to broker power, make peace, or advance trade between humans and elves into an exercise in personal profit.