Half-elves do not form a race unto themselves, but rather they can be found among both elvenkind and men. Half-Elves are usually much like their elven parent in characteristics, although to somewhat lesser extent than a pure elf.
A character of half-elven race can play as a cleric (maximum of 5th level), druid, fighter (maximum of 8th level), ranger (maximum of 8th level), magic-user (maximum of 8th level), thief, or assassin (maximum of 11th level). A character of half-elven race can also opt to become a multi-classed individual, i.e. cleric/fighter, cleric/ranger, cleric/magic-user, fighter/magic-user, fighter/thief, magic-user/thief, cleric/fighter/magic-user, or a fighter/magic-user/thief. Half-elven characters who choose the cleric as one of their multi-classes aren’t limited by that class’ proscriptions upon weapons usable, but they are quite restricted in level. Half-elven characters who choose the thief class as one of their multi-roles are limited to the weaponry and armor of that class when operating as a thief.
All earned experience is always divided evenly between the classes of the multi-classed character, even though the character is no longer able to gain levels in one or more of the classes.
Half-elven characters have a 30% resistance to sleep and charm spells (if the spells are cast upon them, a percentile dice roll of 31% or better is required to allow the magic any chance of having an effect, and even then the saving throw against spells is allowed versus the charm spell). (1,2)
Secret or concealed doors are difficult to hide from half-elves, just as they are noticeable by elves. Merely passing within 10 ft. of a concealed door gives the half-elven character a [20%] (1-in-6) chance of spotting it. If the character is actively seeking to discover such doors, he or she has a [35%] (2-in-6) chance of spotting a secret door and a 50% (3-in-6) chance of locating a concealed door.
Half-elves have the ability to see into the infra-red spectrum, so they are able to see up to 60 ft. in darkness, noting varying degrees of heat radiation.
All half-elven characters are able to speak the “common tongue” of men, their alignment language, and the following [languages]: elvish, gnome, halfling, goblin, hobgoblin, orcish, and gnoll. Half-elven characters of above 16 Intelligence are able to learn one additional language for every point of Intelligence above 16, so that a 17 Intelligence indicates the character can learn one additional language, and an 18 Intelligence indicates two languages can be learned in addition to those listed above.