Half-elves, products of unions between elves and other races (usually humans), or else between two half-elves, tend to be itinerants, wandering the lands in search of a place they might finally call home. The desire to prove oneself to the community and establish a personal identity — or even a legacy — drives many Half-Elf adventurers to lives of bravery.
Personality
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 mindsets and talents to whatever societies they find themselves in.
A Half-Elf understands loneliness, and knows that character is often less a product of race than of life experience. As such, Half-Elves are often open to friendships and alliances with other races, and less likely to rely on first impressions when forming opinions of new acquaintances.
Physical Description
Half-elves generally stand halfway between the heights of their human and elven parents. They inherit the lean build and comely features of their Elven lineage, but their skin color is dictated by their Human side. While Half-Elves retain the pointed ears of Elves, theirs are more rounded and less pronounced. A Half-Elf's Human-like eyes tend to range a spectrum of exotic colors running from amber or violet to emerald green and deep blue.
About Half-Elves
Elves have long drawn the covetous gazes of other races. Their generous life spans, 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, the Humans have held up Elves as models of physical perfection, seeing in the fair folk idealized versions of themselves. For their part, many Elves find Humans attractive despite their comparatively barbaric ways, 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, these trysts commonly lead to the birth of Half-Elves, a race descended of two cultures yet inheritor of neither.
Half-Elf Racial Abilities and Statistics:
- +2 to One Ability Score: Half-Elf characters get a +2 bonus to one ability score of their choice at creation to represent their varied nature.
- Medium: Half-Elves are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.
- Normal Speed: Half-Elves have a base speed of 30 feet.
- Low-Light Vision: Half-Elves can see twice as far as Humans in conditions of dim light.
- Adaptability: Half-Elves receive Skill Focus as a bonus feat at 1st level.
- Elf Blood: Half-Elves count as both Elves and Humans for any effect related to race.
- Elven Immunities: Half-Elves are immune to magic sleep effects and get a +2 racial saving throw bonus against enchantment spells and effects.
- Languages: Half-Elves begin play speaking Common and Sylvan. Half-elves with high Intelligence scores can choose any languages they want (except secret languages, such as Druidic).