Library / Character Origins

Half-Elves

Elves have long drawn the covetous gazes of other races.

Description

Elves have long drawn the covetous gazes of other races. Their generous lifespans, magical affinity, and inherent grace each contribute to the admiration or bitter envy of their neighbors. Of all their traits, however, none so entrance their human associates as their beauty. Since the two races first came into contact with each other, humans have held up elves as models of physical perfection, seeing in these fair folk idealized versions of themselves. For their part, many elves find humans attractive despite their comparatively barbaric ways, and are drawn to the passion and impetuosity with which members of the younger race play out their brief lives.

Sometimes this mutual infatuation leads to romantic relationships. Though usually short-lived, even by human standards, such trysts may lead to the birth of half-elves, a race descended from two cultures yet inheritor of neither. Half-elves can breed with one another, but even these "pureblood" half-elves tend to be viewed as bastards by humans and elves alike. Caught between destiny and derision, half-elves often view themselves as the middle children of the world.

Standard Racial Traits

Low-Light Vision

Senses Racial Traits 1 RP

Prerequisites: None; Benefit: Members of this race can see twice as far as a race with normal vision in conditions of dim light.

Adaptability

Half-elves receive Skill Focus as a bonus feat at 1st level.

Elf Blood

Half-elves count as both elves and humans for any effect related to race.

Elven Immunities

Defense Racial Traits 2 RP

Prerequisite: Elf subtype; Benefit: Members of this race are immune to magic sleep effects and gain a +2 racial bonus on saving throws made against enchantment spells and effects.

Keen Senses

Half-elves receive a +2 racial bonus on Perception checks.

Multitalented

Other Racial Traits 2 RP

Prerequisites: None; Benefit: Members of this race choose two favored classes at 1st level and gain +1 hit points or +1 skill rank whenever they take a level in either of those classes.

Alternate Racial Traits

Ancestral Arms

Some half-elves receive training in an unusual weapon. Half-elves with this racial trait receive Exotic Weapon Proficiency or Martial Weapon Proficiency with one weapon as a bonus feat at 1st level. This racial trait replaces the adaptability racial trait.

Arcane Training

Half-elves occasionally seek tutoring to help them master the magic in their blood. Half-elves with this racial trait have only one favored class, and it must be an arcane spellcasting class. They can use spell trigger and spell completion items for their favored class as if one level higher (or as a 1st-level character if they have no levels in that class). This racial trait replaces the multitalented racial trait.

Drow-Blooded

Some half-elves born of drow parents exhibit more drow traits than others—particularly many of the physical features of the drow—and have darkvision 60 feet and light blindness. This racial trait replaces the low-light vision racial trait.

Drow Magic

A few half-elves with drow ancestry exhibit the innate magic of that race. Half-elves with this trait have drow blood somewhere in their background, and can cast dancing lights, darkness, and faerie fire each once per day, using the half-elf's character level as the caster level for these spell-like abilities. This racial trait replaces the adaptability and multitalented racial traits.

Dual Minded

The mixed ancestry of some half-elves makes them resistant to mental attacks. Half-elves with this racial trait gain a +2 bonus on all Will saving throws. This racial trait replaces the adaptability racial trait.

Integrated

Feat and Skill Racial Traits 1 RP

Prerequisites: None; Benefit: Members of this race gain a +1 bonus on Bluff, Disguise, and Knowledge (local) checks.

Sociable

Feat and Skill Racial Traits 1 RP

Prerequisites: None; Benefit: When members of this race attempt to change a creature's attitude with a Diplomacy check and fail by 5 or more, they can try to influence the creature a second time even if 24 hours have not passed.

Wary

Many half-elves have spent their long lives moving from place to place, often driven out by the hostility of others. Such experiences have made them wary of others' motivations. Half-elves with this trait gain a +1 racial bonus on Sense Motive and Bluff checks. This racial trait replaces the keen senses racial trait.

Water Child

Feat and Skill Racial Traits 4 RP

Prerequisites: None; Benefit: Members of this race gain a +4 racial bonus on Swim checks, can always take 10 while swimming, and may choose Aquan as a bonus language.

Details

Size: Medium
Speed: 30 ft.
Languages: Common, Elven
Universe: core
Source: Advanced Race Guide