D&D General So how do Half-Elfs feel different to Elfs?

[Maxperson]

I suppose if you get enough half-elves. But what's the point of a half-elf then? Why even have them in the game?

See my being of two worlds post upthread. Half-elf is a different feel from elf or human.

 

[Minigiant]

There also is the 4e interpretation of the Half Elf where the half elf is not the outsider but the liaison.

The Half Elves are the only ones who understand both humans and elves and runs trade and diplomacy between them and other races.

Hence the Charisma bonus.

 

[Yaarel]

An other implication is, by the time an Elf reaches a century old, one has advanced to epic levels.

Adulthood means epic.

 

[DEFCON 1]

See above. They'd eventually accumulate in enough numbers to self-sustain new generations of half-elves. They live a long time.

But then if they become a self-sustaining population... they no longer are the "isolated from both worlds" species that people keep saying is the reason why we need them and why their premise is popular. Thus rendering the need to have them as a selectable mechanical option in the PHB superfluous.

Truth be told... if players want the premise that half-elves are rare and can't fit in to either elven or human societies... having no mechanical write-up and instead just suggesting that players choose to make their characters half-elven from a narrative and flavor perspective is more likely actually going to produce a much smaller number of half-elven characters-- which is exactly what the premise is going for. I'm willing to bet there are many fewer half-elves in 5E24 than there have ever been in D&D... specifically because there isn't a species write-up for them that more often than not has always been mechanically superior to quite a number of the other species in the game.

 

[Charlaquin]

The same way people can have a problem with a 18 and 38 year age gap but not a 40 and 60 year age gap.

Same year difference, vastly different ability to meaningfully consent to it and have an equal power dynamic.

This is true, but also, people often do object to age gaps between consenting adults. Generally the older people are, the wider the gap has to be before people start thinking it’s weird - 40 and 60 is generally pretty acceptable but 22 and 42 is pushing it for a lot of people. A 22 year old is an adult, fully capable of consenting to a relationship with an older person. But what does a 22 year old have in common with a 42 year old? What’s going on in the 42 year old’s life that they’re looking to date someone just over half their age rather than someone their own age, whom they would presumably relate better to?

This gets much more extreme when it’s, say, a 35 year old with a 200 year old. What could the 200 year old possibly be getting out of that relationship? Especially since the other elves their age are all still in their physical primes?

 

[Charlaquin]

But then if they become a self-sustaining population... they no longer are the "isolated from both worlds" species that people keep saying is the reason why we need them and why their premise is popular. Thus rendering the need to have them as a selectable mechanical option in the PHB superfluous.

The 2nd, 3rd, or later generation mixed experience is not the same as the 1st generation mixed experience, but both are mixed experiences, and valuable for the game to be able to represent.

 

[Maxperson]

But then if they become a self-sustaining population... they no longer are the "isolated from both worlds" species that people keep saying is the reason why we need them and why their premise is popular. Thus rendering the need to have them as a selectable mechanical option in the PHB superfluous.

This is incorrect. They have their own isolated society, but if they leave and go out into human or elf society, like an adventuring half-elf does, they are out of place and of both worlds again. The PC could also be one of those born outside of that half-elf society and not know it.

Truth be told... if players want the premise that half-elves are rare and can't fit in to either elven or human societies... having no mechanical write-up and instead just suggesting that players choose to make their characters half-elven from a narrative and flavor perspective is more likely actually going to produce a much smaller number of half-elven characters-- which is exactly what the premise is going for. I'm willing to bet there are many fewer half-elves in 5E24 than there have ever been in D&D... specifically because there isn't a species write-up for them that more often than not has always been mechanically superior to quite a number of the other species in the game.

And this is a problem.

 

[tetrasodium]

But then if they become a self-sustaining population... they no longer are the "isolated from both worlds" species that people keep saying is the reason why we need them and why their premise is popular. Thus rendering the need to have them as a selectable mechanical option in the PHB superfluous.

Truth be told... if players want the premise that half-elves are rare and can't fit in to either elven or human societies... having no mechanical write-up and instead just suggesting that players choose to make their characters half-elven from a narrative and flavor perspective is more likely actually going to produce a much smaller number of half-elven characters-- which is exactly what the premise is going for. I'm willing to bet there are many fewer half-elves in 5E24 than there have ever been in D&D... specifically because there isn't a species write-up for them that more often than not has always been mechanically superior to quite a number of the other species in the game.

Almost like a distinct race with a name of its own

Khoravar/Half-elves

Keith, Wayne, and Kristian explore the culture and identity of Eberron's half-elves.

manifest.zone

 

[Yaarel]

Almost like a distinct race with a name of its own

Khoravar/Half-elves

Keith, Wayne, and Kristian explore the culture and identity of Eberron's half-elves.

manifest.zone

Exactly. If Half Elves have sufficient numbers to build their own world, then they are no longer between two worlds. They evolve into their own species, and their connection to their species origin is remote.

 

[Minigiant]

According to XGTE, a half elf and a full human or elf can also make a half elf.

So if a human and elf birth 2 half elves, both of those half elves could move to to a human settlement. And those 200 year lifespan beings and all of their also 200 year lifespan children and grandchildren accumulate in that settlement.. All who could accumulate vast amount of wealth due to their longer lives and natural dabbling.. which could attract other half elves around the world who learn about this rich half elf family and marry into them, creating more half elves. Elves sending their "mistakes" to that town..

A couple unclaimed children mixed in...

And bam.

Hundred half elves.