Elf-blooded, also known pejoratively as "half-elves" and "half-blood", are those sired by a human and elven parent. The elf-blooded appear physically human and are in fact considered purely human.[1] Indeed, the concept of being elf-blooded is a purely legal distinction, rather than a genetic one.[2]
Amongst elves the elf-blooded are typically viewed as the result of a human, often a nobleman,[3] seducing an elf. They may also be the product of rape.[4]
Elven genetics[]
“But when a human mates with an elf, the offspring is always human. No elven ears, no big pretty eyes, just a human. No way to tell him from a real man. Unless he gives it away himself.” ―Melcendre[5]
Eiton, an elf-blooded child in Dragon Age Legends
The child of an elf and a human is phenotypically human. Similarly, the child of an elf-blooded human and an elf is another elf-blooded human, rather than an elf.[6] It is unknown if such a lineage would eventually become more "elven" through selective breeding. This does seem unlikely, however, as certain elven characteristics may carry on to an elf-blooded child, "fully elven" traits will not.[7]
Elf-blooded individuals could not produce an elven child together, as they are completely human (or dwarven, qunari, etc.) and inherit no elven genetics, etc., whatsoever from their elven parent.[2]
The elven genome has been described as "adaptive" and elven reproduction in this regard has "much more to do with magic" than science or simple breeding.[6]
Social status[]
“That tavern was full of elves. Fine. A few flat-ears, but you know what I mean. You're going to blame Gestan and Thale because their mothers got friendly with some young noble and popped out a half-blood? It's not like they get to live in the nice part of town just because they look human.” ―Thren
Appearing human, elf-blooded have the chance to live as humans if they choose, though some, such as Slim Couldry, choose to live proudly in an alienage. The elf-blooded do not tend to distinguish themselves as a group for cultural reasons, and more often than not find themselves living amongst humans rather than elves, so Slim is a rare exception.[6] Appearing human, however, is not a guarantee that an elf-blooded will not be discriminated against. Notably, in Halamshiral, the elf-blooded do not enjoy the benefits their human status confers. The city, being primarily elven, has a human quarter, the High Quarter, and all elves and elf-blooded are relegated to the elven slum that comprises the rest of the city.[3]
Being elf-blooded carries great stigma in Thedas, as the subjugated status of elves is seen as a mark of shame on one's parentage. The potential cost to social status is such that some elf-blooded strive to conceal their parentage at all costs.[8] Similarly, these individuals can be looked down upon by full-blooded elves.[9] They were also sometimes referred to as "flat-ears" by their city elf brethren, though not necessarily in a derogatory sense.[3] Indeed, it is considered better for an elf-blooded to be raised and live as a human, if possible, to enjoy the associated social advantages, than to be known to have an elven parent.[citation needed]
Despite the stigma and their fully human appearance and genes, many of elven heritage throughout Thedas still view elf-blooded humans as elves. The elf-blooded mage Feynriel considers himself as much Dalish as human, and alternately refers to himself as both a human[10] and an elf.[11] Slim Couldry, an elf-blooded criminal who grew up in Denerim's alienage, speaks of that community as "[his] people".[12] Among full-blooded elves, Zevran Arainai views Rinna, his fellow Antivan Crow and the illegitimate daughter of a human Antivan prince and an elf, as elven.[13] Additionally, Thren, an elf from Halamshiral, counts two elf-blooded residents of the city among elves and defends this viewpoint when he mistakenly thinks his friend Lemet questions it, reasoning that their lives are materially little different from his own.[3] Even Michel de Chevin, who conceals and disassociates himself from his elven origins for most of his life, thinks of himself as a "human-blooded elf" when recalling his childhood in Montfort.[14]
Known elf-blooded[]
- Alistair – although not publicly known[15]
- Agur – the former mayor of Ville Montevelan (rumored)[16]
- Eiton
- Feynriel
- Gestan – resident of elven area of Halamshiral[3]
- Kieran – if fathered by a male elf Warden; if Alistair is his father Kieran is one-quarter elven.
- Michel de Chevin
- Rinnala
- "Sabina's Brat" – son of the elven prostitute Sabina at the Blooming Rose
- Slim Couldry
- Thale – resident on the elven section of Halamshiral[3]
Gallery[]
References[]
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David Gaider (2009). 
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