Hob-Elf
Children of unlikely parents, hob-elves face a lifetime of being shunned for their existence by both elves and hobgoblins. Both parent races have a deep hatred for the other, making this unlikely combination extremely rare. Additionally, they serve as a constant reminder of a mistake, and bare too much resemblance to each parent to ever be accepted into society. Thought too beastly for one, and not fierce enough for the other, a hob-elf roams the land orphaned by prejudiced hatred, searching for meaning and purpose.
Monstrous Appearance
Lips curled to reveal shortened fangs and sharp teeth, pointy cheekbones and orange skin. Hob-elves merge two different racial traits together to create a monstrous appearance. And with skin that comes in many shades of gray, brown, or orange, bloodshot eyes and aggressive demeanor, hob-elves keep various traits from each parent that serve only as permanent reminders of a past shameful relationship.
Intimidating and dangerous, hob-elves are often mistaken for creatures of pure evil, and are feared due to their ferocious nature. They are seen as hideous to most and fierce to many, causing them to be untrusted by all, and killed on sight by the cautious.
Hob-Elf Names
It is unlikely a hob-elf is acknowledged as a person at birth, let alone given a name. Ones that are given names are often given names in hatred, sometimes bearing resemblance to a hated enemy or infamous character. Many others are given joke names, meant to play on their shameful existence or rough appearance, and almost no hob-elves are ever given a maiden name, as no lineage wants to tie themselves to one.
After a hob-elf eventually leaves to go out on their own, they either embrace their given name, or take on a different name with personal meaning.
Hob-elves almost never take on popular names of, or even ones vaguely related to, other cultures, as many see a hob-elf taking on a normal name as an insult.
Given Names: Beast, Chains, Coward, Crow, Gar, Hound, Imp, Meat, Skink, Strife, Toad, Wart, Warthog, Weasel
Hob-Elf Traits
Your hob-elf character has the following traits and abilities.
Ability Score Increase. Hob-elves are very durable and resilient creatures due to being forced to survive on their own. Your Constitution score increases by 1.
(Sword & Mace Image by Medieval Collectables)
Age. Hob-elves mature at the same rate as humans do and reach adulthood at age 20. They live longer than humans though, and often exceed 180 years of age.
Alignment. Hob-elves are extremely rare, and during their childhood they are often shunned by both parents. This leaves many hob-elves fending for themselves, and have a tendency to be chaotic, though no sway in good nor evil.
Size. Hob-elves are medium creatures ranging in height from 5 to 6 feet, and weigh anywhere from 150 to 200 pounds.
Darkvision. Both a hob-elves' elf and hobgoblin blood gift them with superior vision in darkness. You can see in dim light within 60 ft. of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can't discern colour in darkness, only shades of gray
Saving Face. Hob-elves tend to feel a need to prove themselves, and are careful to never show weakness to others. If you miss with an attack roll or fail an ability check or a saving throw, you can gain a bonus to the roll equal to the number of allies you can see within 30 feet of you (maximum bonus of +5). Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
Languages. You can speak, read, and right Common and either Goblin or Elvish.
Subrace. A hob-elf is further defined by their heritage, or which parent they take after more. There are three options, Hobgoblin Heritage, Elvish Heritage, or Indeterminate Heritage, for if your hob-elf favours neither parent. Choose one subrace and add the additional benefits to your character.
Hobgoblin Heritage
Your hobgoblin blood courses stronger in you, giving you traits more typical of a hobgoblin than an elf. You gain the following abilities.
Ability Score Increase. Your Charisma score increases by 2.
Intimidation Tactics. Your hobgoblin nature is intimidating, and invokes fear in even fierce warriors. You have proficiency in the Intimidation skill and have advantage on attack rolls against frightened creatures.
Hobgoblin Might. You favour heavy and aggressive weapons. You are proficient in two melee weapons of your choice, both of which must have the heavy or versatile property.
Elvish Heritage
You favour your elvish parent in physical and mental aspects. You gain the following abilities.
Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increases by 2.
Fey Ancestry. You have advantage on saving throws against being charmed, and magic can't put you to sleep.
Elvish Magic. Your elvish blood brings with it innate magic skills. You know one cantrip of your choice from the wizard spell list. Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for it. Additionally, at 9th level, you may choose a second cantrip from the wizard spell list, using Intelligence as your spellcasting ability.
Indeterminate Heritage
Both your hobgoblin blood and elvish blood flow through you equally, causing you to favour neither parent. You gain the following abilities.
Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score and one other ability score of your choice each increase by 1.
Lonesome Training. All alone, and without any draw towards weapons or magic, you chose your own path. You have proficiency in one skill of your choice and two weapons of your choice. You may choose to know one cantrip of your choice from the any spell list using Charisma, Intelligence, or Wisdom as your spellcasting ability for it, instead of a skill.
(Background Art by Q Entertainment)
(Azaersi (Edited) by WillOBrien)