Half-Elf

Loradell stood on the edge of the abyss, the eldritch wind whipping his hair back from his shortly pointed ears. His sharp, half-elven features writhed with shadows from the other-worldly light, his golden eyes pooled with angry tears.
“They have to pay,” he called, his voice cracking out into the night.. “For jeering at me, taunting, and pushing, and teasing. And even their words are not as cruel as the ones inside my own soul. I am just a small, broken thing-” he sobbed, the tears now running down his chin, “made of broken parts; but if I must tear myself asunder, at least I can take them with me.”

— Janet Forbes

Half-elves: An Overview

Neither entirely one thing nor the other, half-elves are usually the fruit of Elf and Human union. From their elven human parent, they have an affinity with nature, and embrace the nature of others, but their humanity can cause them difficulty in making peace with their own. At their best, they can bridge the line between their ancestries, bringing understanding and harmony. At their worst, they rail against themselves and others, an eternal outcast to all, but mostly, to themselves, until their contradictions tear themselves apart.

Physical description

Half elves typically stand between 5 to 6 feet tall, weighing around 100 to 180 pounds. Unlike elves, half-elf men may grow beards, which they sometimes use as a way to conceal their elven lineage. Their physical features and skin tones are a diverse spectrum that lies between their elven and human parents, often resulting in a striking variety of appearances, though their eyes usually mimic their elven parent, in metallic or forest tones.

To humans, half-elves bear a striking elven resemblance, while to elves, they appear distinctly human. They are neither as willowy as elves nor as robust as humans.

Life span and outlook:

Half-elves mature at the same rate as humans, but can live almost two centuries. Among humans, half-elves often feel an ever-present sense of otherness, watching their human peers age while time leaves them comparatively untouched. Amongst elves, they are often treated like children long after adulthood because of their differing lifespans.

Families and Societies

Half-elves often shun society, but when they do immerse themselves in social settings, they tend to succeed due to their wit and charisma. They excel both in roles of diplomacy and deceit, and make excellent entertainers and leaders. In cosmopolitan areas where humans and elves coexist, half-elves might form small enclaves, finding solace among those who share their dual heritage.

Names

Half-elves may adopt naming traditions from either elven or human cultures, often choosing names that highlight their dual heritage. Those raised among humans might bear elven names, while those brought up in elven communities frequently adopt human names.

Reasons to go Adventuring

Whether to escape their home, follow their wanderlust, better themselves, or become more attuned to nature, half-elves are more commonly found on the road than in settlements. They may embrace the wilderness as scouts and rangers, interacting with society only sporadically. Others are in search of found family and, if they sense camaraderie in a band of adventurers, will be glad to join them. They feel especially comfortable among others who live beyond conventional societal norms.