"You're a half elf? Really?" From the P.A. Podcasts

[Hammerhead]

I mean, any half-elf PC is pretty much going to be an ADVENTURER, a wandering hero that kills and loots. They're already not really going to "fit in". And I question whether or not Tanis constitutes the half-elven stereotype. Besides, the 4e half elf seems to have gotten over his teen angst and is described as being able to fit in with both elves and humans; their niche is more being able to get along with everybody (hence the bonus CHA) than nobody.

Role-playing is as much about choosing which aspects of your character to ignore as choosing which to reveal; no one cares what kind of food your character likes, for example. Jerry obviously cares more about role-playing his position as the head of Acquisitions Inc. than whatever his race might be.

Hussar: Doesn't this tend to lead to situations where every single member of a non-human race is portrayed as being the same, or at least stereotyped. I mean, it's not like you minorities in fiction are portrayed with the same set of stereotypical traits that are emphasized at every single possible moment (well, actually, sometimes this does happen, but when it does it sucks). Nor should they specifically have to explain why they don't possess these stereotypical traits.

The bigger question is why Omin was a half elf in the first place. No Strength, no Wisdom, questionable other abilities...

 

[Leatherhead]

I don't understand why are you are angry over a half-human that looks and acts like a human. As far as I can tell, the only obvious physical trait that distinguishes half-elves from humans is their slightly pointy ears. It's not that far of a stretch to imagine that some half-elves don't have those for whatever reason.

More to the point; Race is something that can go hidden if nobody brings it up, and I would dare say knowing it is metagaming if the race isn't completely obvious. I played a changeling that never had a reason to change forms until he was being targeted by an assassin, the entire group had no idea he could do that because they thought he was a human until that point.

Don't get me wrong, I like Alien humanoids instead of humans in funny suits. Which is one of the reasons I don't like half-races in general, they shouldn't be able to breed in the first place.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

I don't understand why are you are angry over a half-human that looks and acts like a human. As far as I can tell, the only obvious physical trait that distinguishes half-elves from humans is their slightly pointy ears. It's not that far of a stretch to imagine that some half-elves don't have those for whatever reason.

More to the point; Race is something that can go hidden if nobody brings it up, and I would dare say knowing it is metagaming if the race isn't completely obvious. I played a changeling that never had a reason to change forms until he was being targeted by an assassin, the entire group had no idea he could do that because they thought he was a human until that point.

Don't get me wrong, I like Alien humanoids instead of humans in funny suits. Which is one of the reasons I don't like half-races in general, they shouldn't be able to breed in the first place.

Hmmm... Changling Assassin? WHy wasn't that the first character idea springing into my mind?

 

[Jack99]

See, that's really setting dependent. Half the time relations between elves and humans seems to be cordial enough, to a point where it shouldn't be THAT hard for a half-elf to come to some kind of understanding. "I'll celebrate human holidays, but still take the elven ones off from work."

Half-orcs, on the other hand, not only look hideous, but their parents probably didn't, ah, get along. Lots of conflict there.

As RefinedBean said, depends on setting. For instance, in Eberron, Half-Elves and Half-Orcs breed true. I think in the 4e core, Half-Orcs also breed true.

So if your parents are half-elves and your grandparents are half-elves, then you may not feel like you're "Between worlds".

Also, the "between worlds" is rather hard as a character type. I mean, unless you want to break into monolog, or there are a lot of racist humans giving you gruff about being pointy ears (or elves giving you gruff about being a dirty human), then it's just Not Going to Come Up.

The OP asked, I provided a suggestion. I never claimed it was the only solution. However, what is this talk about Eberron suddenly? Are PA playing in Eberron now? I must admit that I haven't found the time to listen to the newest adventures.

 

[Majoru Oakheart]

The character that my forum name is named after, Majoru Oakheart was a half-elf. I don't think his heritage ever really came up the whole time I played him. He was always played as kind of a loner, with a taste for excitement, taking drastic risks, and adventuring. He was known for extreme luck that kept him alive no matter what odds he faced, his ability to disarm traps, his really good AC, and his constant downplaying of the fact that he was a Thief(he was a Fighter/Thief in 2e).

He constantly referred to himself as a "Treasure Hunter and Adventurer" in order to explain his Thief abilities. When the truth of the matter was that his human father left when he was really young, then he was kicked out of his elven community when he was caught stealing and was forced to survive on his own in the middle of human communities.

Now, what personality traits should I have played up while in a group in order to reinforce his half-elven heritage? The focus of our adventures was always on what was happening at the time. Either we needed to go into the Underdark to defeat the Drow since they were making raids against the surface or we decided to recover an artifact for some rich benefactor. The fact that I was a half-elf never really came up. We were more concerned about my ability to disarm traps before they cut the other party members in half and my ability to fight well enough to kill the monsters.

 

[Dragonhelm]

Jim, on the other hand, is drawn with a goatee, which fairly clearly shows that he is human.

Remember, though, that half-elves can grow facial hair. The most notable example of which is Tanis Half-Elven from Dragonlance, though we also see that in the 4e PHB's half-elf art.

Typically, the elves I've seen played start out as snobbish and arrogant. Aloof. Or, they're total nature freaks if they're wild elves. Half-elves are often caught between worlds, neither fully human nor fully elven - ergo the "Half-Elven" surname that Tanis bears.

Now, I have seen some elves played as humans with pointy ears and powers. In those cases, I think the DM should try to throw in some good role-playing material to get the player thinking about things. Throw in some other elves. Talk about how they perceive things, or little things like the type of diet elves are used to eating.

As for half-elves played like humans, I have no problem with that since some half-elves are actually raised in human society. Consider as well that not every half-elf is a perfect blend of human and elf. Some may take more after one parent than another. Likewise, half-elves may not be exactly one-half of an elf. Tanis and Laurana's son, Gilthas, was 3/4 elven, and could have been statted up as a half-elf (though an elf would have worked too).

Also remember that not every half-elf has pointy ears and facial hair. In the case of Omin, I'd say he probably took more after his human parent.

And as for the attack of opportunity/opportunity attack thing...well, after you've played a few editions, some terminology sticks with you. I still call some races "demihumans", for example.

 

[Dragonhelm]

Is there even a stereotype for half-elves?

There are a few. Sometimes, they are presented as the "best of both worlds." Sometimes, they are presented as ambassadors between the two races, or characters that can get along well with anybody.

When Tanis Half-Elven came around, we saw a new stereotype develop - that of the character caught between two worlds and accepted in neither. This is a more tragic look on half-elves, and a very interesting one at that.

That being said, I work very hard whenever I play a half-elf to not have "Tanis clones." It's a good theme, but like anything, it can be overdone. So if I go for the tragic half-elf, I want a unique story behind it.

 

[Rechan]

The OP asked, I provided a suggestion. I never claimed it was the only solution. However, what is this talk about Eberron suddenly? Are PA playing in Eberron now? I must admit that I haven't found the time to listen to the newest adventures.

No, just using it as an example of half-races breeding true, therefore not needing to fit into that stereotype.

And, you offered a suggestion, and I offered a counter-point to your suggestion.

 

[Rykion]

I don't understand why people play non-humans and then don't bother to play it up. And, again, it's almost always the elf players. Someone plays a dwarf? No problem, grumpy drunk on demand. Half-orc? Not a worry, gotcha covered, crude big dumb dude coming up. Halfling? Sure, no worries - usually gets played up - trying to reach the top of the table, short arse jokes, head butts to the groin.

Why is it that elves get played as humans that can see in the dark?

Sorry I don't see playing a character as a grumpy drunk, crude big dumb person, or a short person as roleplaying a non-human. It's simply roleplaying a cliched stereotype that could equally apply to a human.

The "stereotypical" dwarf can include a strong work ethic, a bond to clan and hold, a practically unbreakable constitution, a strong sense of tradition and history, a hatred of elves, a love of gold and metalwork, an affinity for beer, and many other things. Most dwarf characters will have some of these features, but will probably vary quite a bit from the norm. Certainly some dwarves are grumpy drunks, but I would hardly consider that the epitome of good dwarven roleplaying.

Roleplaying a half-orc is an entirely different kettle of fish. A crude big dumb dude with orc features is not likely to last long in human society unless he's the toughest guy around. A half-orc could just as easily be roleplayed as someone with very good manners, but a severe anger management problem. Or maybe the half-orc is a good natured oaf. Of course, he or she might be a brainy wizard.

Halflings are short, but that isn't much in the way of roleplaying. They can be hobbit-like, kender-like, or just about any way the player wants them to be.

To sum up, I think it's important to actually think about a character's race and background. I really don't see playing up a stereotype as being any better than simply playing a character as a human with pointy ears.

 

[SSquirrel]

Come on now.

The joke isn't at the expense of the players. It's a comment about vampires.

Because vampires ARE, by and large, presented as "extrahuman, aloof, arrogant, mysterious, immortal (and pretentious)" beings.

Uhm...what? Let's look at this again, with a bit of extra bolding by yours truly:

Because most of the players who really enjoy roleplaying extrahuman, aloof, arrogant, mysterious, immortal (and pretentious) beings are off playing Masquerade.

Kind of hard to see that as anything but a swipe at others. A true statement about many of the people I have played Vampire with over the years, but certainly not a requirement.

If you're going to play a non-human, it should come up EVERY SINGLE CHANCE you get.

Right after 2nd Ed came out, I was a freshman in high school and we were putting together a new gaming group. One of the guys had only watched some D&D at lunch at school and hadn't played at all yet, so he introduced his character and then added, by way of description, "He's a 6 foot elf!". We still pick on him about that to this day. All the things you could say about what your character looks like and that is your personal description.

Is there even a stereotype for half-elves?

If we use the example of Tanis Half-Elven, then the stereotype is being a whiny, wishy-washy pussy who worries about everything. That and being over 100 but not really having learned anything yet.