• Size: Medium
• Traits: Immunity to magical sleep effects, and a racial +2 bonus on saving throws against spells and enchantment effects. Low-light vision: they can see twice as well as humans in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and other poorly lit situations. They continue to see in color in this type of scenario. +1 racial bonus on skills: Spot, Search, Listen. They do not possess the elven ability to detect secret doors just by walking through them. Their senses are sharp but not as sharp as elves. +2 racial bonus on Diplomacy and Gather Information skills.
• Elven blood: For all race-related effects, the half-elf is considered an elf. They are therefore vulnerable to effects that affect elves and can use magic items only usable by them.
• Speed: 30 feet
• Automatic languages: Common and Elven, additional: all (except secrets like Druidic)
• Preferred class: Any
• Alignment: Any

Elves and humans mate and marry from time to time, the former attracted by the energy of the latter and the latter by the elegance of the former. These marriages end quickly, at least from the elves’ point of view, as human lives are very short; however, such unions leave behind a lasting legacy: half-elven descendants.

The life of a half-elf can be very difficult. When he grows up among the elves, he does so at an astonishing speed, reaching maturity in just two decades. The half-elf becomes an adult long before he can learn the complexities of elven art, culture, and even grammar.

In addition, he leaves behind his childhood friends and reaches physical maturity, although he is still a child according to the cultural canons of the elves. Usually, he will leave his elven home when it ceases to be familiar to him, choosing to find his way among humans.

When, on the contrary, he is raised among men, the half-elf is different from them, more distant, more sensitive, less ambitious, and slower to reach maturity. Some half-elves try to fit in among humans, while others find their identity in their own differences. Most find their place on human soil, but others spend their entire lives feeling marginalized.

Personality

Most half-elves possess the curiosity, inventiveness, and ambition of their human kin, as well as the keen senses, love of nature, and artistic taste of their elven heritage. Half-elves are often forced to run strange errands and welcome infrequent peers. Many of them don’t have much trouble devoting themselves to the life of an adventurer and, like elves, they have a strong desire to travel.

Physical description

To humans, half-elves look like elves; through elven eyes, they look more like humans (in fact, the latter call them “half-humans”). Half-elves measure 5 to 6 feet in height (between 1.50 and 1.80 meters) and generally weigh between 90 and 180 pounds (between 40 and 80 kilos). Males are taller and heavier than females, but the differences are less pronounced than those between humans.

They are blonder than humans and have paler, softer skin; however, the shade of their skin and hair, their complexion, and other characteristics have the same variety that characterizes humans. Half-elf eyes are green, just like those of their elven parents. They reach maturity at age 20 and live for about 180 years. Most half-elves are children of a human and elf couple.

However, some descend from parents who in themselves already had part human and part elf. Some of these “second generation” half-elves have an eye color similar to that of humans, but most still retain the greenish tint.

Relationships

Half-elves get along well with elves and humans, and also maintain good relations with dwarves, gnomes, and halflings. They possess the elegance of elves without being so distant, and the energy of humans without showing their coarseness. They are excellent ambassadors and intermediaries (except between elves and humans, as both often think that the half-elf favors the opposite).

However, they are viewed with suspicion in those human lands from which elves remain separate or where there are not good relations between the two races. Some half-elves strongly despise half-orcs; the resemblance between them (both races have human lineage) can make half-elves uncomfortable.

Alignment

Half-elves share the chaotic inclinations of their elven heritage, but, like humans, they do not tend especially toward good or evil. They value personal freedom and creative expression as much as elves, but they don’t show love for leaders or want to have followers. Rules irritate them, they take offense at the demands of others, and sometimes prove unreliable (or at least unpredictable).

Half-Elven lands

don’t have their own land, although they are welcome in both human towns and elven forests. Sometimes, they form small communities in big cities.

Religion

Half-elves who are raised among the elves worship elven deities, primarily Corellon Larethian (god of the Elves). Those who grow up among humans often worship Ehlonna (forest goddess).

Other languages

Half-elves speak the language of the cultures from which they come: Common and Elven. However, they are a bit clumsy with the complex language of elves, although only the latter realize it; yet, they master the language much better than non-elves.