The term
Half-Elf refers to any individual descended from both
Human and
Elf lineage. A half-elf may be the result of one human and one elf parent, or if both of their parents were half-elves themselves.
How elves and humans are capable of interbreeding is currently unknown, as elves originated in
The Feywild and thus presumably share no common genetic ancestor with humanity. Half-Elven offspring conceived between Elf and
Orc parents have also been documented, but are a much more uncommon occurrence.
Appearance
Half-elves generally inherit more of their appearance from the non-elven side of their families, to such an extent where many half-elves are capable of "passing" for ordinary humans in most cultures.
The most distinctly elven characteristic of a half-elf's appearance is usually their ears, which, while pointed, are stil generally not as long as those of their full-blooded elven forebears. Other details, such as unusual eye or hair colours, are also possible but are less universal.
Traits and Abilities
Half-elve can perhaps be best defined by their innate versatility, combining the natural magical affinity of their elven side with the industriousness and adaptability of humans. Half-elves also inherit a portion of their elven side's longevity, with most lifespans far exceeding that of the average human (but still only a fraction of the average lifespan for an elf).
Civilization and Culture
Crestfall
While inconclusive, there is evidence to suggest that humans and elves began to sire offspring together as early as the Pre-Vancian Era, when the first Eladrin elves made contact with the continent of Crestfall after emerging from the Feywild. Unions such as these are believed to have been more common in the earliest stages of this first contact, as the Eladrin Courts' ambitions to colonize the continent likely made interbreeding with the local populace a cultural taboo.
In the Modern Era, half-elves are similarly discouraged by most elven groups present on Crestfall, mainly due to the elves' strict cultural norms regarding birth control to prevent their long lifespans resulting in overpopulation. For this reason, Crestfallen half-elves are most frequently raised by the human side of their families.
Uzai
Compared to those in Crestfall, Uzaian half-elves are considerably more common, as the cultural taboos found in Crestfallen elves are for the most part not present among the Pallid Elves that rule over the eastern continent. Throughout its history, the Daimyos and other elven nobles of Uzai have been known to take human spouses of either gender, sometimes even wedding multiple human spouses at one time.
Despite this more lax opinion on human-elf intermarriage, full-blooded elves in Uzai are still considered to be of a higher caste than their half-elf siblings. This, again, stems from the elves' natural longevity: because a half-elf's life expectancy is so much shorter by comparison, there is a significant possibility for an elven noble to outlive their own successor. For this reason, the half-elf descendants of Uzai's elves are often treated to luxurious and pampered lives while nevetheless being passed over in terms of inheritance and title.
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