half-elf

Overview

Born of human and elven parentage, half-elves are beings caught between two worlds - sharing the traits, strengths, and burdens of both. They tend to exhibit a blend of their heritage: taller and more angular than most humans, yet bulkier and hardier than the typical elf. Despite their mixed lineage, half-elves can often pass for either race and display the wide variety of skin tones, hair colors, and eye shades found in both.

 

In the unforgiving sands of Zalanthas, this ambiguity is rarely a benefit. Half-elves are often mistrusted as impure by humans and regarded as weak by elves, leading to a life of quiet exclusion and harsh judgment. Without a homeland, culture, or community to call their own, most half-elves become solitary wanderers - driven to prove themselves in a world that never asked for them.

Age

  • Maturity: ~21 years
    Average Lifespan: ~80-90 years
    Death by Old Age: Begins ~91+ years

Height

  • Range: 70 to 82 inches (5'10" to 6'10")

Weight

  • Range: 6 - 9 ten-stone (132-198 lbs) 

Attributes

  • Strength: 3d4+6
    Agility: 3d4+7
    Wisdom: 3d4+7
    Endurance: 3d4+8 

Appearance

Half-elves may resemble either parent or fall somewhere in between.

 

  • Skin: Wide variety - from pale to deep brown, olive, or sun-darkened

  • Hair: Black, brown, red, silver, or occasionally white; both straight and wavy seen

  • Eyes: Almond-shaped; colors range from muted human hues to brilliant elven shades

  • Features: Often finely carved cheekbones, elongated limbs, and slanted eyes. Some half-elves can convincingly pass as humans or elves, while others display a clear blend

Inherent Abilities

  • Ride

Roleplaying

Half-elves occupy a lonely road in Zalanthas. Rejected by both human and elven society, they grow up learning to depend on themselves. Self-reliance is a defining trait. Many half-elves hunt their own food, sleep apart from others, and develop deep independence. Yet beneath this exterior lies a hunger for acceptance - sometimes desperately so. They often seek to earn the trust of humans or elves, striving to prove themselves.

 

This leads to a complex emotional cycle: withdrawal and solitude for self-sufficiency, followed by a return to society to seek validation, and then retreat again when rejection or discomfort arises. Their personalities can be marked by inner conflict, alternating between vulnerability and pride, connection and withdrawal. This tension is central to portraying a compelling half-elf.

 

Culturally, loving relationships between elves and humans are viewed with disgust in most of Zalanthas, making the origin of a half-elf almost always one of violence, servitude, or desperate circumstance. As such, most half-elves are born unwanted, raised in hardship, and have little or no support from either parent.

 

Half-elves may visually lean toward human, elven, or a balanced hybrid. However, if roleplayed as looking elven, you should adopt elven customs - notably, elves do not ride mounts. Violating this can result in IC backlash or confusion for newer players.