ONE OF THE GUARDS OWETH HIRED FOR THIS LEG

of the journey was quite a peculiar sight - he had the tusks and grey skin of an orc, but the narrow frame and pointed ears of an elf! I later learned that he was of mixed parentage, and had been rejected by both communities. Poor fellow. Without a place to call home, he'd taken up work as a travelling mercenary, putting his elvish combat training and orcish endurance to good use. If I ever pass through the swamps of Myristad again, I'll be sure to see if he's looking for work.

Half-bloods typically appear to be a blend of their parents' races. A half-orc-half-elf might have the greyish skin and tusks of an orc along with the slim build and pointed ears of an elf. A half-tiefling-half-dwarf might have the red skin and horns of a tiefling, but the stout build and large beard of a dwarf. In some cases, though, a half-blood will more strongly resemble only one of their parents' races; a half-tiefling-half-dwarf with more influence from his dwarvish side might appear to be an otherwise normal dwarf with an unusually ruddy complexion.

Half-bloods often occupy unique positions in their societies. Among cultures more accepting of half-bloods, they might serve as diplomats, helping to negotiate disputes and agreements between their two cultures. Other cultures are not so accepting of half-bloods, and so many half-bloods find themselves adrift from the culture of their parents, forced to live as wanderers. Rarely does a half-blood feel completely at home in one of their parents' culture; differences in height, maturity, physique, and aptitude always seem to set them apart no matter where they go. Because of this, half-bloods of all ancestries tend to congregate, sharing the experience of alienation together.

Half-bloods are typically named according to the traditions of one of their parents. Some half-bloods prefer to reject the culture of their parents, however, and pick new names that match the culture they end up living in. A half-orc-half-dragonborn who lives among humans might choose to pick a human name, for example.

Half-Blood Traits

A half-blood character's traits are in part determined by the races of their parents. Pick two of the races found in the Player's Handbook. These are the races of your parents, and your traits will partially depend on the traits of those races.

Ability Score Increase. One ability score of your choice increases by 2, and another ability score of your choice increases by 1. You must choose ability scores that are increased by one or both of your parents' races or subraces. For example, a half-orc-half-dwarf could choose any of the following ability scores for their increases: Strength, Constitution, or Wisdom.

Age. How quickly a half-blood matures, and how long they live, will be determined by their parents' races. Some half bloods age at a rate half way between those of their parents; others will age more akin to one parent than the other.

Alignment. Whether a half-blood is good or evil will depend heavily on the races of their parents, as well as the culture they were brought up in. Many half-bloods lean towards Chaos, as they often don't fit in the structures and conventions of society.

Size. The height and physique of a half-blood is often a blend of their parents', though they may lean more towards one parent or the other. You are the same size as your smallest parent.

Speed. You have the same walking speed as your slowest parent.

Languages. You speak Common, and two other languages of your choice. These languages are usually the ones spoken by your parents, but not always.

Additional Traits. You gain additional traits from your parents' races. The traits you gain from each race are detailed in the following lists.

If both of your parents had the Darkvision or Powerful Build traits, you also gain those traits.