Half-Elves

Classes

Backgrounds

Feats

Half- Elves

Half-Elves can be found throughout Novaria, intermingling with the different human cultures as well as the Elven ones. Though the Half-Elves are descended from different human and elven cultures, they generally have the same stature, build and lifespan. All Half-Elves of Novaria have the same racial abilities given to half-elves in the Player's Handbook.

Base Age: 20 Years
Aristocrat, Barbarian, Rogue, Sorcerer: +1d6
Bard, Fighter, Paladin, Ranger: +2d6
Adept, Cleric, Druid, Monk, Wizard: +3d6

[ Erian Elves ] [ Grugach ] [ Sylvan Elves ] [ Half Elves ]

Half-Elves

Base Height (M/F): 60"/58"
Height Modifier: 4d4
Weight (M/F): 100/80
Weight Modifier: Height Modifier x2d4

Native Languages: Elven, Regional language
Bonus Languages: Any

Base Speed: 30 ft.

Special Abilities

+1 Listen

+1 Spot

+1 Search

+2 Diplomacy

+2 Gather Information

Immunity to sleep spells and effects

+2 save vs. enchantment spells or effects

Lowlight Vision: 2x far as humans in dim light (moonlight, starlight, torch light, etc.)

Favored Class: Any
Religion: Traditional Elven or Human Regional

Description
Half-Elves tend to be a bit shorter than humans but a bit taller than elves of their gender. Their skin tone is an average of their parents and their hair and eye color may come from either side.

Origins
A Half-Elf is the offspring of a Human and an Elf, two Half-Elves or an Elf and a Half-Elf to the second generation. Half-Elves are most frequently found among the Clasbron who deal with Elves on a regular basis and do not have the prejudices common among other human cultures. Among the Futhark, Half-Elves are a rarity due to lack of interaction between the Futhark and Elves. Erian Half-Elves are most common because of Erian integration with human culture. There are very few Sylvan Half-Elves and fewer still that a born outside of the Clasbron culture. The existence of Grugach Half-Elves are near legendary, as the xenophobic Grugach don't even like having humans within smelling distance, much less getting close enough to one to produce offspring. Half-Grugach conceived by malevolent sexual liberties are usually aborted, slain shortly after birth or abandoned to the elements.

Views
Half-Elves, regardless of the culture they are raised in generally see themselves as outsiders, pariahs, something less than the sum of their genes. For this reason, Half-Elves tend to get along reasonably well with most races. They are still wary of humanoids for obvious reasons, but are not above being civil even to Orcs. Half-Elves that don't share this tendency towards racial friendliness often become cynics and don't view any race as trustworthy.

Culture
The sort of culture a Half-Elf has is determined by the society they grew up in, whether it be among their Human or their Elven ancestor's people.
Erian Half-Elves have the least amount of trouble since it is not uncommon for their parents to live together. Sylvan Half-Elves are usually raised with one parent or the other, though they are often aware of the other parent. Half-Elven Grugach are nearly always raised with a human parent, usually the mother, if allowed to live at all. For campaign purposes, Grugach and Sylvan Half-Elves have been raised by their human parent. It is not uncommon for an adult Half-Elf to live on the fringes of society, away from both Human and Elven influences.