Do Half-Elves Count as Fey? Unraveling the Mystery of Fey Ancestry
The question of whether half-elves are considered fey is a common one amongst Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) enthusiasts, and understandably so. The presence of Fey Ancestry in their racial traits muddies the waters, making it seem like they might have a stronger connection to the Feywild than they actually do.
The direct and concise answer is: No, half-elves are not considered fey. They are classified as humanoids. While they inherit some traits from their elven parent, such as their Fey Ancestry, this doesn’t change their fundamental creature type. They do not possess the full nature of fey creatures and are treated as humanoids in regards to spells and effects.
Understanding Fey Ancestry
To comprehend why half-elves are not fey, it is crucial to understand what Fey Ancestry entails. This trait, common among elves and half-elves, grants advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and it makes them immune to magical sleep. These protections reflect the fey bloodline they possess, a distant echo of the Feywild’s influence on their lineage. However, this is not enough to reclassify them as full-fledged fey creatures.
The Humanoid Classification
Half-elves are a diverse race of humanoids, stemming from the union of humans and elves. Their mixed heritage results in a unique blend of both human and elven characteristics, but fundamentally, they are still considered humanoids. This means they are susceptible to effects that target humanoids and are not automatically affected by those that target only fey creatures. This distinction is essential to understand their place in the D&D world.
Elves and Fey: A Closer Look
Elves, the parent race of half-elves, also possess fey ancestry. They have a stronger link to the Feywild, but like half-elves, they remain classified as humanoids in most cases. This is important to differentiate between having fey blood and being a fey creature. While elves may possess magical aptitudes and a longer lifespan, these are traits of their elven nature, not evidence that they are fey.
Exceptions and Considerations
It’s worth noting that some elves, specifically eladrin, have closer ties to the Feywild, and are often considered more fey-like due to their direct connection to the plane and their changeable nature reflecting the Feywild itself. However, this does not extend to most elves and certainly not to half-elves.
The Importance of Creature Type
The concept of a creature type is key in D&D. Creature types, such as humanoid, fey, monstrosity, and others, govern how spells and other effects interact with them. For instance, a spell that specifically targets fey creatures will not work on a half-elf, due to their classification as humanoid. Understanding this distinction is crucial for playing the game correctly and for understanding the lore behind different races.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions that clarify the nuances of half-elves, their ancestry, and their relationship to the fey:
1. What exactly is Fey Ancestry?
Fey Ancestry is a racial trait common to elves and half-elves. It grants the character advantage on saving throws against being charmed and makes them immune to magical sleep. It represents the lingering influence of the Feywild on their bloodline.
2. Are any races considered fey?
Yes, certain races are explicitly considered fey creatures. Examples include Fairies, Centaurs, and Satyrs, who have the creature type: Fey. These creatures have a more direct connection to the Feywild and its magic.
3. Are Elves considered fey?
Most elves are not considered fey, they are considered humanoids. Despite their fey ancestry, they are not classified as fey creatures. There are, however, exceptions like the eladrin who, due to their close ties to the Feywild, might be seen as having a more fey-like nature.
4. What is the difference between having “fey blood” and being a fey creature?
Having “fey blood” or “fey ancestry” means that a creature has a lineage that traces back to the Feywild. This grants them certain protections and abilities, but doesn’t make them a fey creature. A fey creature is a creature born and/or significantly aligned to the Feywild and thus its magic and nature. They are a specific creature type and are treated as such by in-game rules.
5. Do dark elves count as fey?
Most dark elves, or drow, are considered humanoids. While some lore associates them with fey origins or power, they are not classified as fey creatures by typical 5e rules. Their connections to the Underdark rather than the Feywild is more dominant in most D&D settings.
6. What is a changeling, and are they fey?
Changelings are creatures that in some lore were considered to be fey babies left in place of stolen human children. Some variants consider them any substitutes for human children kidnapped by the fey. In modern D&D, they are generally a shapeshifting humanoid race with a mysterious origin.
7. How does Fey Ancestry interact with spells?
Fey Ancestry provides advantage on saving throws against being charmed and makes the creature immune to magical sleep. This directly affects how spells that attempt these effects will affect the character.
8. What is the Feywind effect?
The Feywind effect is linked to Fey Ancestry. It provides a layer of protection for the mind, making it harder for charm spells to affect the character.
9. What are the Unseelie fey?
The term Unseelie fey refers to fey who are generally evil or untrustworthy in their dealings with mortals. It could also refer to specific members of the Unseelie Court or to specific species of fey, like the Unseelie found in the Yuirwood.
10. Do gnomes have fey ancestry?
While gnomes are no longer truly fey, their fey heritage influences their inherent magic, their often-capricious natures, and their outlook on life. Despite this, they are classified as humanoids.
11. What are half-elves sometimes called?
Half-elves are sometimes referred to as “half-elven,” or “Peredhil” in Sindarin, the language of the high elves.
12. Do centaurs count as fey?
While some centaurs are considered monstrosities, others are classified as fey. The classification depends on their specific lore and setting. In Exandria, where some centaurs can be found in the Fey Realm, their fey nature is not necessarily innate.
13. What happens if a fey gets your name?
If a fey gets your name, they may gain power and possibly partial control over you. This is a significant reason why giving out names to fey creatures in certain settings can be dangerous.
14. Why do fairies want human babies?
Fairies might want human babies for various reasons, such as using them as servants, a genuine love for human children, or out of malice. In some cases, they exchange them for a changeling.
15. How do you become a fey?
Becoming a fey is not a simple process, and can be unique to different settings. It might happen by inheriting a title and mantle of power from a fey noble, attuning to a leyline in the Feywild, or reclaiming and homesteading a piece of the Shadowfell and transferring it to the Feywild.
Conclusion
In summary, half-elves are not fey. They are humanoids with Fey Ancestry, a trait that provides specific magical defenses but does not change their fundamental creature type. Understanding the distinction between having a fey bloodline and being a fey creature is essential for both playing D&D accurately and for appreciating the rich lore of the game. While they may possess some aspects of their elven lineage, their classification as humanoids defines how they interact with the world of D&D.