Half-Elf
The Half-Elves of Elaris are the children of two worlds—born of human and elven lineage, but fully claimed by neither. They walk the line between mortality and legacy, their souls stretched between fire and starlight. In form and spirit, they are liminal beings: too swift for the elves, too distant for the humans, and too rare to form a society of their own. Yet it is this very in-betweenness that defines them—not as fragmented, but as whole in ways others cannot be.
Physical and Cultural Identity
Half-elves inherit physical traits from both parents. Their height and build typically fall between human and elven normals, though many take after their human heritage in sturdiness. Hair and eye color vary widely depending on their elven bloodline—though no half-elf inherits divine aspects of elven bloodlines: the ghostly skin of moon elves, the starry eyes of star elves, the blazing golden skin of sun elves, and so on. Very few inherit the elven eyes of the non-star elves with their brilliant gemstone hues, but many do have less common eye colors to humans. Unlike elves, they can grow facial and body hair, and some are indistinguishable from humans if their ears are hidden and their elvish features subdued. Their aging is likewise transitional—reaching physical maturity incredibly quickly by elven standards, yet aging slowly compared to humans. This causes them to have an extreme cultural dissonance: a half-elf raised among elves becomes a young adult before even masting elven etiquette, while one raised among humans may seem aloof, contemplative, or emotionally detached.Upbringing and Estrangement
No matter where they are raised, half-elves often feel displaced. Among elves, they mature too quickly, leaving behind friends who still think and feel like children. Among humans, they seem too removed—quieter, less ambitious, and slower to act. This sense of difference leads many half-elves to become wanderers, adventurers, or intermediaries—roles where independence and perspective are virtues rather than flaws. Yet they are not alone. Half-elves share an unspoken bond with others of their kind. In cities or crossroads where many races gather, small communities of half-elves often emerge—not as political enclaves, but as kinsfolk who understand each other's uprootedness. They are welcoming to all, save for orcs, goblinoids, and those who scorn elven or human blood alike.Skill and Adaptability
Half-elves are inherently versatile, yet their elvish spirits often reject singular dedication. They tend to learn many trades, dabbling in combat, magic, art, or craft—but few pursue mastery for decades like their full-blooded kin. Many become alchemists, blending magic with practicality, or diplomats, navigating fractured realms with empathy and insight. Others find their calling in wandering priesthoods, mercenary companies, or seeker orders dedicated to unifying ancient lore. Their emotional intensity is muted compared to humans, yet more accessible than among elves. Half-elves are capable of deep passion but often hide it behind careful restraint, especially when raised by elven families. When raised by humans, they may struggle with human emotional volatility, retreating into introspection or solitary paths of self-discovery.Faith and Spirituality
More than most races, half-elves seek belonging through belief. Cast between cultures, they often turn to the divine in hopes of understanding their place. Some follow the gods of their elven or human parents, while others are drawn to halfling warmth, dwarven craftsmanship, or even the enigmatic rites of gnomes. A small number become paladins, embracing the idea that they can represent all people, not just their lineage. Though they lack the elvish ability to commune with ancestral spirits, many still feel an echo of that heritage. They are drawn to each other with uncanny familiarity, as if ancient voices whisper through their bloodline, tugging them toward kinship.Love and Longevity
Romance for half-elves is often tinged with sadness. Their longer lifespan compared to humans means they will likely outlive mortal lovers, while their shorter lifespan than elves keeps many elven suitors at arm’s length, wary of heartbreak. Even so, half-elves pursue love deeply and fiercely, undeterred by the price. Many enter into mixed partnerships and raise children who carry forward new permutations. Yet unlike elves, they cannot willingly pass from the world when their time ends. A half-elf who loses everyone may wander the earth for decades in sorrow before finding new purpose—or may never find it at all.This is a rare option
This option requires special permission to take. In the case of spells, psionic powers, and similar options, this option must be found in the world and cannot be taken upon level-up.
This is a stub
This article will be expanded upon in the future
This is a
Good Article
Game Statistics
5th Edition
4th Edition
Ability Scores. +2 Charisma, +2 to your choice of Dexterity or Constitution.
Size. Medium
Speed. 6 squares
Vision. Low-Light
Languages: Common, Elvish, Choice of one other
Skill Bonuses. +2 Diplomacy, +2 Insight
Dual Heritage. You can take geats that have either elf or human as prerequisites (as well as those specifically for half-elves), as long as you meet any other requirements.
Group Diplomacy. You grant allies within 10 feet of you a +1 Racial bonus to Diplomacy checks.
Half-Elf Power Selection. Select an option for your half-elf character:
Dillettante: At 1st level, you choose an at-will power from a class different from yours. You can use that power as an encounter power.
Knack for Success: You have the knack for success power.
Size. Medium
Speed. 6 squares
Vision. Low-Light
Languages: Common, Elvish, Choice of one other
Skill Bonuses. +2 Diplomacy, +2 Insight
Dual Heritage. You can take geats that have either elf or human as prerequisites (as well as those specifically for half-elves), as long as you meet any other requirements.
Group Diplomacy. You grant allies within 10 feet of you a +1 Racial bonus to Diplomacy checks.
Half-Elf Power Selection. Select an option for your half-elf character:
Dillettante: At 1st level, you choose an at-will power from a class different from yours. You can use that power as an encounter power.
Knack for Success: You have the knack for success power.
3.5th Edition
Creature Type. Humanoid (Elf)
Size. Medium
Speed. Half-elves' base land speed is 30 feet.
Elvish Bloodline. Immunity to sleep spells and similar magical effects, and a +2 Racial bonus on saving throws against enchantment spells or effects. For all effects related to race, a half-elf is considered an elf.
Low-Light Vision. Half-Elves can see twice as far as normal in dim light. Low-light vision is color vision. A spellcaster with low-light vision can read a scroll as long as even the tiniest candle flame is next to him or her as a source of light. Characters with low-light vision can see outdoors on a moonlit night as well as they can during the day.
Racial Skills. Half-elves receive a +1 Racial bonus on Listen, Search, and Spot checks, and a +2 Racial bonus on Diplomacy and Gather Information checks.
Languages. Automatic Languages: Common and Elvish; Bonus Languages: Any (other than secret languages, such as Druidic).
Favored Class: Any. When determining whether a multiclass half-elf takes an experience point penalty, her highest-level class does not count.
Size. Medium
Speed. Half-elves' base land speed is 30 feet.
Elvish Bloodline. Immunity to sleep spells and similar magical effects, and a +2 Racial bonus on saving throws against enchantment spells or effects. For all effects related to race, a half-elf is considered an elf.
Low-Light Vision. Half-Elves can see twice as far as normal in dim light. Low-light vision is color vision. A spellcaster with low-light vision can read a scroll as long as even the tiniest candle flame is next to him or her as a source of light. Characters with low-light vision can see outdoors on a moonlit night as well as they can during the day.
Racial Skills. Half-elves receive a +1 Racial bonus on Listen, Search, and Spot checks, and a +2 Racial bonus on Diplomacy and Gather Information checks.
Languages. Automatic Languages: Common and Elvish; Bonus Languages: Any (other than secret languages, such as Druidic).
Favored Class: Any. When determining whether a multiclass half-elf takes an experience point penalty, her highest-level class does not count.
2nd Edition
Due to their elvish bloodline, all half-elves are 30% resistant to sleep and charm-related spells.
Pathfinder 2e
Related Organizations
Related Ethnicities
Related Myths
Comments