Half-Elves

Half-elves are, as the name suggests, a hybrid race born from one elven and one human parent (though on extremely rare occasions, half-elves with an orcish rather than human parent are born, though they are generally viewed as a separate race). Their phenotype varies somewhat depending on the race of the father, with those with human fathers generally looking almost entirely human aside from their pointed ears, and those with elven fathers having much more pronounced elven features.
Half-elves are one of the most tolerated hybrid races in Veturoth, and are generally treated far better than tieflings or half-orcs (at least, outside of orcish societies, which view anyone with even a drop of orcish ancestry as one of their own), but they still face a fair amount of prejudice and difficulty. Elven circles in particular are quite hostile towards, if not always individual half-elves, the existence and normalization of half-elves, as it is traditionally very taboo to get romantically involved or have children with the so-called "brief races." Humans are generally more accepting, though prejudice towards half-elves is still fairly common, and many humans feel jealousy towards them on account of old Vetr superstitions about the power of elven blood (which were never about ancestry, and more about its use as an alchemical reagent, but have been twisted throughout the ages).

Basic Information

Anatomy

Half-elves are very similar to humans, with the main differences being their pointed ears and slightly lighter bones.

Genetics and Reproduction

While most half-elves are sterile, roughly one in ten is able to have children with either another half-elf or a member of the same race as their parent.
This is one reason why half-elves are unusually common in the profession of prostitution--though many a half-elven woman would tell you that it is hardly a matter of choice in many cases, and that legal prohibitions against slavery and trafficking are hardly enough.

Growth Rate & Stages

Though half-elves reach physical maturity at around the same pace as humans, they age significantly slower afterwards, and often live for well over a century. This has caused much grief to many a half-elf, as they tend to grow close to their human companions, only to have to watch in horror as they all age and die far younger than them.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Half-elves tend to have slower metabolisms than humans, but faster ones than elves.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Half-elves tend to be named according to the culture they live in, though there is a small tradition in human circles to give them names of elven origin--or names that merely sound elven, as the case may be for settlements that have limited contact with elves.

Major Language Groups and Dialects

While there is no major settlements or societies that are dominantly half-elven, a uniquely half-elven dialect of elvish has developed, and is lovingly referred to as Bastard Elvish by its speakers. It is somewhat unclear whether the name comes from the fact that half-elves tend to be bastard children and viewed as impure, or whether it refers to the sheer coarseness and affinity for profanity associated with the dialect. Elves generally loathe it, and many will gladly rant to you about how the half-elves are butchering their language for multiple hours on end.

Culture and Cultural Heritage

Half-elves tend to take on the culture they were raised in, be it human, elven or otherwise. There is no predominantly half-elven culture.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Elves
• Humans

Lifespan

140 years

Average Height

6' for males and 5'7" for females

Average Physique

Half-elves tend to be a bit taller and thinner than humans, while generally being significantly stockier than elves.