Half-Elf

Summary

In this setting, Half-Elves vary widely based on their specific parentage, resulting in changes to this race's features that are explained below. Introspective yet charismatic, Half-Elves use their affinity for fitting into new cultures to travel Vrashyn and find success in new places. In Shatterfyne, the only land ruled by Half-Elves, this usual curiosity about others is turned on its head, replaced with xenophobia and false feelings of racial superiority.  

Subraces

Half-Elves in this or any setting are an incredibly diverse group, varying physically and culturally based on the race and subrace of their parents and where they were raised. This gives you significant options when creating your character if you choose. That said, if you want to play the traditional fifth-edition Half-Elf, you can pick Drow for the Elvish parent and Human for the non-Elvish parent. The only difference is that you only get a +1 to one skill of your choice rather than the two you would get in the standard rules.   Elvish Parent   Non-Elvish Parent  

Culture

Half-Elves have no unified cultural values outside of Shatterfyne and the surrounding area, which is the only part of Vrashyn where Half-Elves are the majority ethnic group. There, Half-Elves live in closed-off communities. Those in Shatterfyne proper bar others from entering, accepting all half-elves but seeing single-race people as inherently inferior. However, this group is the exception: most Half-Elves adapt to the local cultures of other races, learning their languages, eating their food, and practicing their religions.  

Livelihood

Though diverse, Half-Elves do gravitate towards certain work. Because they are often gifted speakers, they excel at rising through leadership structures to become army commanders, high priests, and politicians. Half-Elves who live in a predominantly Elvish culture will likely prioritize academic study while those who lean the other way usually fill vacant niches in the community.  

Upbringing

Half-Elf children sometimes struggle with questions of identity. While not all Half-Elves choose a part of their heritage to more closely identify with, many do. Because they get this early practice with intense self-reflection, these children are likely to choose a career at a younger age than most. Wanderlust is common among them, so even teenage Half-Elves may join adventuring parties. They are also more likely to consciously think about their various identities and arrive at atypical places as a result. Half-Elves usually take names that reflect whichever race(s) or culture(s) they most closely align with.  

Relations with Others

With the aforementioned exception of Shatterfyne, Half-Elves maintain a good relationship with almost everyone. However, because other races are more likely to conflate them with Elves than their other race, Dwarves and others who hold grudges against Elves may carry those feelings over to Half-Elves as well. For Dwelfs and other Half-Elves born to parents whose races are in conflict, these animosities are especially hard felt.