Riadus

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-elves can breed with one another, but even these “pureblood” half-elves tend to be viewed as bastards by humans and elves alike.

Note: The information presented here specifically relates to half-elves who are also half-human (who are by far the most common), but a half-elf’s other half may potentially be dwarf, orc or even goblin. In such cases one may use the rules for half-elves, or use the rules for half-orcs or half-goblins, whichever the player prefers.

Physical Description: Half-elves stand taller than humans but shorter than elves. 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.

Society: The lack of a unified homeland and culture forces half-elves to remain versatile, able to conform to nearly any environment. While often attractive to both races for the same reasons as their parents, 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.

Relations: How well a half-elf is received depends on the region he’s in and how the dominant people view humans and elves and the union of the two. The elves of Kowame view half-elves as an abomination, for example, and are likely to treat one as less than an animal. The elves of Nysundast are more tolerant, but only in that they simply ignore the half-elf’s elven half and treat him as human. Humans, in general, tend to be more accepting, but any animosity toward elves would automatically transfer to anyone of elven blood.

Alignment & Religion: Half-elves’ isolation strongly influences their characters and philosophies. Cruelty does not come naturally to them, nor does blending in and bending to societal convention—as a result, most half-elves are chaotic good. Half-elves’ lack of a unified culture makes them less likely to turn to religion, but those who do generally follow the common faiths of their homeland.

Adventurers: 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.

Half-Elf Racial Traits

• +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. See Vision and 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.
• Keen Senses: Half-elves receive a +2 racial bonus on Perception skill checks.
• Multitalented: Half-elves choose two favored classes at first level and gain +1 hit point or +1 skill point whenever they take a level in either one of those classes. See Classes for more information about favored classes.
• Languages: Half-elves begin play speaking Common and a Regional Language. Half-elves with high Intelligence scores can choose any languages they want (except secret languages, such as Druidic) as bonus languages.