compiled by Romaine

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Half-Elves are the descendents of any elf and another humanoid creature such as Humans, Dwarves, Tabaxi, Trunrine, Gnomes, and even Goblins. The exception to this is reptilian humanoids such as Kobolds and Kenku, as they lay eggs and don’t have live births. Another exception to this include Tieflings, as their traits are more dominant than Elves and are thus just considered a tiefling. The final exception and a coupling you will never see, is a half-orc, half-elf child. The two ancestries have been long-time enemies and their respective Deities refuse such a coupling to take place. That is not to say an Orc and an Elf can’t fall in love. There are some mysteries of the world that still surprise. However, they will never be able to reproduce, even with magical means.

Apperance

Half Elves have the tendency to have more positive traits or features of both parents and less negative ones, though some are more prominent than others. For example, A Half-Elf will most likely have pointed ears, regardless of their second parentage. It is a dominant elf feature. A half elf/dwarf child may be a bit taller than their dwarf kin, and may be a bit hairier than their elf brothers. Depending on the parentage these features are pretty interchangeable.

A Half elf will have some features and traits such as being unable to be magic’d asleep. There is also Dark Vision or depending on their Elven parentage, perhaps a proficiency in some type of skill or weaponry. The height and weight of a Half-Elf is largely dependent on the second parent as a Half-Elf is usually the average between the two parents. For example if an Elf is between 5.5- 6’ tall and has a Dwarf husband being 4-4.5’, the Half-Elf child is likely to be between 4.75-5.25’ tall. This average is common throughout any ancestry parentage of the Half-Elf.

Life Expectancy/Cycle: The life expectancy of a half elf is between about half of their elf ancestry and double their second parent’s ancestry’s life expectancy. So for example, A half elf, half human child would have the highest life expectancy of 750 years for elf and a measly 80 years for humans. So the range a half elf could live is between 160-375 years old with adulthood starting around the age of 80.

Name Examples: Half-elves use either elven or their other parent’s ancestry naming conventions. As if to emphasize that they don't really fit into either society, half-elves raised among humans are often given elven names, and those raised among elves often take human names.

Culture

Half-Elves can read, speak, and write Common, Elven, and one language of their choice. This is usually the other parent’s native tongue though it could also be a language they took the time to learn in their childhood for the fun of it.

Half- Elves usually take the religion their parents followed, which is likely to be a mixture of things. In the case of Elves they could follow some or all of the Selandrine Pantheon, focusing on Corellon. But perhaps the Half-elf has a dwarven father. They may choose to follow that religion instead. Or they could practice a mixture of the Gods, picking and choosing who to follow based on personal relationships or pulls towards a certain deity.

Half-elves have no lands of their own, as they are considered “half-breeds” or abominations by some. Never feeling at home in either of their kins family homes, most half-elves wander around the world, searching for a place to settle for a while in peace.

In large cities in regions where elves and other ancestries 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 their two worlds.

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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 from 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 sneaky swindlers.

They often make excellent ambassadors and go-betweens (except between elves and their second parentage, since each side suspects the half-elf of favoring the other)

Personality

Half elves are generally pretty charismatic, charming people left and right. This comes from many years of practice if a Half elf is wanting to be accepted by society as a whole. They charm people into liking them despite their strange appearance or mixed ancestry. If they are successful in making friends, they are largely accepted by the populace as a whole. If one accepts a Half elf, it must not be so weird after all. Many half-elves learn at an early age to get along with everyone, defusing hostility and finding common ground. They have elven grace without elven aloofness and human energy without human boorishness. Same with any other ancestral parentage. Half Elves seem to get the good of both parents and miss out on the more negatively received attributes.

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