Half-Elf

> *“I can’t help but sympathise with the Half-Elves. In a way, they’re stuck between two worlds - a part of each and yet never truly belonging to either. They serve their communities well, to, so I can’t help but think that maybe they deserve more credit than they get.”* - Louise Lilly, Imperial Scholar.
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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 qualities of their Elven half - whether that be the grace of High Elves, the ferocity of Wood Elves, or the efficiency of Dark 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 nations, 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.

## **Physical Description - Of Two Worlds**

To Humans, Half-Elves look like Elves, and to Elves, they look Human. In height, they’re on par with both parents, though they’re neither as slender as Elves nor as broad as Humans. They range from a little under 5 feet to 6 feet tall, and from 100 to 180 pounds, with men only slightly taller and heavier than women, on average. Half-Elf men do have facial hair, and sometimes grow beards to mask their Elven ancestry. Half-Elven colouration and features lie somewhere between their Human and Elf parents, and thus show a variety even more pronounced than that found among either race. They tend to have the eyes of their Elven parents.

## **Mentality - Excellent Ambassadors, Expert Manipulators**

Permanently a part of two worlds, Half-Elves have learned to be very careful and selective with their words and conduct. They learn very quickly how to defuse hostility and create trust in those they meet. This subtle survival tactic has made them incredible ambassadors and negotiators, but also expert manipulators. Indeed, some Half-Elves use their talents for speech-craft and wordplay for more nefarious, selfish means. It is all ultimately a survival tactic, though, for many are left with few other options when they live in worlds that will never truly accept them for who they are.

Many Half-Elves learn at any early age to get along with everyone, defusing hostility and finding common ground. As a race, they have Elven grace without Elven aloofness and Human energy without Human boorishness. They often make excellent ambassadors and go-betweens - except between Elves and Humans, since each side suspects the Half-Elf of favouring the other.

## **Society - Diplomats and Wanderers**

Half-Elves have no lands of their own, though they are welcome in Human cities and somewhat less welcome in Elven lands. 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 civilisation only rarely. Like some 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.

## **Half-Elf Adventurers - Band of Misfits**

Half-Elves that turn to the adventuring life are pushed into it by their circumstances. Fitting into neither the Human world nor the Elven worlds, they see themself as an outcast or misfit. Many in this situation turn to wandering or solitary adventuring in order to escape the restrictive and discriminatory societies they find themselves in. Sometimes they will join a group of other adventurers, typically a band of misfits that the Half-Elf can relate to - and vice versa.

## **Half-Elf Names**

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.

## **Half-Elf Traits**

Your Half-Elf Character has some qualities in common with their Elven or Human sides, as well as some that are unique to Half-Elves.

* ***Ability Score Increase -*** your Charisma score increases by 2, and two other ability scores of your choice increase by 1.
* ***Age -*** Half-Elves mature at the same rate as Humans do and reach adulthood around the age of 20. They live much longer than Humans, however, often living to around 200 years.
* ***Alignment -*** due to their circumstances, many Half-Elves lean towards a neutral or chaotic approach. They value both personal freedom and creative expression, demonstrating both a respect for leaders but not an attachment to them. Though most are good, attempting to help those in need, some are selfishly neutral to the plight of others.
* ***Size -*** Half-Elves are about the same size as Humans, ranging from around 5-6 feet tall on average. Your size is medium.
* ***Speed -*** your base walking speed is 30 feet.
* ***Elven Ancestry -*** due to your Elven parentage, you gain an extra trait depending on what your Elven half is. High Elves gain the *Hardy Lifespans* trait. Dark Elves gain the *Tainted Blood* trait. Wood Elves gain the *Fleet of Foot* trait.
* ***Skill Versatility -*** you gain proficiency in two skills of your choice.
* ***Languages -*** you can speak, read and write Common, Elvish and one extra language of your choice. Half-Elves typically mimic the speech patterns of the society they were raised in. A Half-Elf raised in Human society, for example, will speak similar to how a Human normally would.