Half-Elves

Not truly a race unto themselves, Half-Elves are a hydrid resulting from the mating of a Human and an Elf. Due to the considerable differences bewteen Human and Elf genetics, offspring from such a mating are incredibly rare. So much so that there are fewer than 300 Half-Elves known to currently exist. They are so rare, in fact, that most non-elves assume them to be shorter, huskier elves.

Those few elf and human families who have been fortunate enough to produce a half-elf child consider it to be a mark of Elemon's favor, an attitude that Elemon himself has encouraged. This favor is not without merit, as half-elves are universally born sorcerors and always pass on their sorcerous traits to their own offspring. More over, while a half-elves do not possess as wide a range of sorcerous abilities as a full blooded elf, they are typically a degree or two more powerful when these abilities first manifest.

Standing only a few inches shorter than average for elves and a little taller than average for humans, their hair and eye color, skin tone, and facial features run the full range of both parent races. Their lifespan is not as long as a full blooded elf's, but is still considerably longer than a humans, reaching physical maturity at 28 years of age, as compared to 50 years for an elf. A half-elf that has lived as long as 240 years can be said to have lived a full life, although several have lived as long as 280.

What makes half-elves truly unique among the races, however, is their ability to breed with practically every race on Encoron, with the exceptions of the kobolds and devils. Such matings will ALWAYS result in a pregnancy and the offspring will always be a superior example of their non-half-elf parent, as well as possessing the half-elf parent's sorcerous abilities. Thus far, this aspect of the half-elevs is known only to several of the gods and a few elf families. It is a very closely held secret, as it is feared that some unscrupulous persons may take advantage of this trait.