The 2024 rules refresh forDungeons and Dragons 5th Editionwas an eventful time for the TTRPG. Nearly every aspect of the game received a facelift in this update, from classes and spells to monsters and feats. Playable species – formerly known as races – also changed drastically, including the addition of two new core options with the Aasimar and Goliath. However, one of the most popularDungeons and Dragonsspecies was conspicuously absent from the updatedPlayer’s Handbook: the Half-Elf.
The reason for this was straightforward; rather than having specific stats for mixed-heritage characters likeHalf-Elves or Half-Orcs in the newDungeons and Dragonsrules, players could simply borrow core traits from the species of their parents to create a personalized blend. However, these guidelines were unsatisfactory for some, as most species traits are not balanced against each other, easily enabling over- and under-powered combinations. Apparently, some part of Wizards of the Coast agreed – despite their initial position, Half-Elves are set to appear inEberron: Forge of the Artificer, albeit under a different name: the Khoravar.
The Khoravar – Half-Elves of Eberron in D&D
In Khorvaire – the main continent in the world of Eberron – people with both Human and Elvish ancestry are called Khoravar. Sometimes referred to as “the children of Khorvaire,” they are one of the most populous species on the continent, and can be found virtually everywhere either of their parent races live. Khoravar are commonplace enough that they can manifest hereditarydragonmarks that are vital to theDungeons and Dragonsworld, such as the Mark of the Storm of House Lyrandar and the Mark of Detection of House Medani.
But despite their special name, Khoravar are literally Half-Elves; boththe Eberron wikiand Keith Baker, creator of the setting, refer to them as such. Beyond the obvious differences in their culture, there is fundamentally nothing different from a Khoravar and a Half-Elf from the Forgotten Realms or Greyhawk.
Even their species traits are similar in some ways to theoriginal Half-Elf from the 2014Player’s Handbook. Both have Darkvision, Fey Ancestry, and Skill Versatility – though the OG Half-Elf version grants two skills, while the Khoravar’s manifests as one skill or tool that can be changed every day. They are further differentiated by the Half-Elf’s +1 bonus to a third characteristic, while the Khoravar get a free, changeable Cleric, Druid, or Wizard cantrip and resistance to being rendered Unconscious, both of which are traits drawn from their Elvish parents.
Skill Versatility (Proficiency in one skill or tool, changeable daily)
Skill Versatility (Proficiency in two skills)
+2 to one characteristic, +1 to another
+2 Charisma, +1 to two other characteristics
Fey Gift (One Cleric, Druid, or Wizard cantrip, changeable daily)
Optional rule to replace Skill Versatility with a Wizard cantrip
Lethargy Resistance (Succeed on save against Unconscious once every 1d4 days)
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Unfortunately, despite all of this, Khoravar are still technically a setting-specific species. Because they do not appear in thePlayer’s Handbook, a dungeon master would be well within their rights to forbid their use. EvenDungeons and Dragons' blog aboutEberron: Forge of the Artificerreferred to the Khoravar as “a unique playable species in the world of Eberron.”
That said, adapting the Khoravar to other settings seems like the most elegant approach to letting fans play Half-Elves in the newDungeons and Dragonsrules. While players could technically still use the “pick traits from each parent” method, thenew option inD&D’sEberron: Forge of the Artificersourcebookis a more balanced, consistent, and straightforward method of playing them.
However, the addition of the Khoravar begs the question: what about Half-Orcs? While Half-Elves are a fan-favorite species inDungeons and Dragons– so much so that they were one of themost popular races inBaldur’s Gate 3– Half-Orcs were in the original Player’s Handbook as well, even though most of their traits were simply transferred over to the new core Orc option. The Khoravar have technically opened up a floodgate that was supposed to stay closed in the 2024Dungeons and Dragonsrules, so maybe Half-Orcs will get the same treatment some day.
