Elves making people Aware

[tombowings]

I read "smoking" as a verb.

And I read "hanging out" as in wet cloths....

 

[DonAdam]

It doesn't matter how you explain it, because no one will remember its there anyway.

 

[Korgoth]

I assume it's like this:
[Elf misses his perception, someone else makes it}

*elf stops, narrows his eyes, cocks his head a bit*
Argon: "Kee'blyr, why do stop? Did you hear something?"
Kee'blyr: "I... thought I heard a songbird interrupt his chirping."
*the ranger looks around, straining to make out shapes in the trees*
Argon: "Ah... we're not alone, Kee'blyr."
Kee'blyr: "I spot a hollow in yon tree. Let us fly to it quickly!"

 

[Magus Coeruleus]

But, by granting a bonus to the rest of the party, the non-diplomacy Half-Elf gives a bonus to whever is diplomacy focused. That way you keep the racial effect of the Half-Elf (diplomacy boost) without tying Half-Elves into being diplomacy focused or burn a part of their racial mojo.

Wow, this makes a lot of sense (as you said, mechanics-wise) and makes me respect the rule much more even if I still don't like it for providing such a small, radius-specific bonus that's likely to be overlooked.