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

Anatomy

Half-Elves can exhibit both strong features of their human or elvish parent.

Biological Traits

Half elves stand roughly around 5'5" – 6'2" (1.65 – 1.88 meters), making them only slightly shorter overall than humans and weigh in at 130 – 190 lbs (59 – 86 kg), making them heavier than elves but still considerably lighter than humans. Half-elves mature at a slower rate than humans, and can live for over 180 years

Genetics and Reproduction

The only thing of note for half-elves is the interbreeding of the continued race. When a Half-elf mates with a human, the result is always Human. When they mate with an elf, the result is always Elven. The only way to breed a Half-elf is an Elf and a Human.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Like humans, half-elves have a wide variety of complexions, some of which are inherited from the elven half of their heritage such as a tendency for metallic-hued skin and inhuman hair colors. Unlike true elves, however, male half-elves are capable of growing facial hair, and often do so to distinguish themselves in part from their elven parents. Half-elven ears are about the size of human ones, but like elves, they are pointed on the ends. Half-elves are also notably more durable and passionate than either elves or humans, a unique result of the two races’ blending.

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.

Beauty Ideals

Regardless of what they wear, half-elves stand out in a crowd through the combination of physical distinctiveness and force of personality. Though frowned upon by many humans, because they envy the long lives of half-elves, female half-elves, but also male ones to a lesser extend, are seen as exceptionally beautiful by many human folks.

Common Dress Code

Half-elves usually adopt the dress and hairstyles of the culture they were raised among. However, it is also fairly common for half-elves raised among humans to wear elven clothing in order to proudly display signs of their dual heritage.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Half-elves, as a result of their unique heritage, exhibit a confidence and strength of personality uncommon amongst both humans and elves, a result of the blending between elven perceptiveness and human passion and drive. Half-elves are natural leaders and negotiators, and perhaps due to their reality of living in two worlds are unusually open-minded. Some half-elves manifest this leadership through confidence and bravery, but others are cordial and polite, manifesting their force of personality in a subtler but no less effective manner. Half-elves generally like to be around others, the more diverse the better. Perhaps due to the circumstances of their birth, or to a simple drive towards diversity, half-elves are often found in large population centers where other races mingle freely. Half-elves naturally gather others around them, forming a large network of contacts that is both pleasing to their psyche, and practical for other purposes. In spite of this love for forming connections, or perhaps because of it, half-elves rarely settle down for any length of time and possess a genuine sense of wanderlust, moving from place to place in a way that makes them very natural adventurers. However, whenever a half-elf returns to a place they've already been, they hunt down old friends and renew relations.

Common Taboos

Considered by High Elves to be the lowest form of elf. A point past which their elven blood is so diluted as to be indistinguishable from the mundane existence of humanity. Half elves struggle to find a home in either eleven or human society, each group seeing half elves as a member of the opposite group.

History

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.

Lifespan

150 to 200 years

Average Height

5'5" – 6'2"

Average Weight

130 – 190 lbs