Genasi

Description

Those who think of pure, raw elemental energy at all consider them remote, distant phenomena, but elemental influence can be felt throughout the world. It sometimes manifests in beings who, through an accident of birth, carry the power of the elements in their blood. The genasi are one such people, the offspring of elementals and mortals.

The sources of elemental forces are often inhospitable to natives of the surface world and Underdark alike: crushing earth, searing flames, boundless skies, and endless seas make visiting these places dangerous for even a short time. The powerful elemental beings, however, don’t face such troubles when venturing into the everyday mortal world. They adapt well to the mingled elements of the varied biomes of Thuria, and they sometimes visit—whether of their own volition or compelled by magic. Some elementals can adopt mortal guise and travel incognito. During these visits, a mortal might catch an elemental’s eye. Friendship forms, romance blooms, and sometimes children result. These children are genasi: individuals with ties to two worlds yet belonging to neither. Some genasi are born of mortal–elemental unions, others have two genasi as parents, and a rare few have an elemental further up their family tree, manifesting an elemental heritage that’s lain dormant for generations.

Occasionally, genasi result from exposure to a surge of elemental power, through phenomena such as an eruption from the innermost depths of the earth’s core or a convergence of spectacular weather anomalies. Elemental energy saturates any creatures in the area and might alter their nature enough that their offspring with other mortals are born as genasi. As rare beings, genasi might go their entire lives without encountering another one of their kind. There are no great genasi cities or empires. Genasi seldom have communities of their own and typically adopt the cultures and societies into which they are born. The stranger their appearance, the harder time they have. Many genasi lose themselves in teeming cities, where their distinctiveness hardly raises an eyebrow in places accustomed to a variety of different people. Those living on the frontier, though, have a much harder time. People there tend to be less accepting of differences. Sometimes a cold shoulder and a suspicious glare are the best genasi can hope for; in more backward places, they face ostracism and even violence from people who mistake them for fiends. Facing a hard life, these genasi seek isolation in the wilds, making their homes in mountains or forests, near lakes, or underground.

Subraces

Air

As an air genasi, you are descended from the air elementals. As changeable as the weather, your moods shift from calm to wild and violent with little warning, but these storms rarely last long. Air genasi typically have light blue skin, hair, and eyes. A faint but constant breeze accompanies them, tousling the hair and stirring the clothing. Some air genasi speak with breathy voices, marked by a faint echo. A few display odd patterns in their flesh or grow crystals from their scalps.

Earth

As an earth genasi, you are descended from the cruel and greedy earth elementals, though you aren’t necessarily evil. You have inherited some measure of control over earth, reveling in superior strength and solid power. You tend to avoid rash decisions, pausing long enough to consider your options before taking action. Elemental earth manifests differently from one individual to the next. Some earth genasi always have bits of dust falling from their bodies and mud clinging to their clothes, never getting clean no matter how often they bathe. Others are as shiny and polished as gemstones, with skin tones of deep brown or black, eyes sparkling like agates. Earth genasi can also have smooth metallic flesh, dull iron skin spotted with rust, a pebbled and rough hide, or even a coating of tiny, embedded crystals. The most arresting have fissures in their flesh, from which faint light shines.

Fire

As a fire genasi, you have inherited the volatile mood and keen mind of the fire elementals. You tend toward impatience and making snap judgments. Rather than hide your distinctive appearance, you exult in it. Nearly all fire genasi are feverishly hot as if burning inside, an impression reinforced by flaming red, coal- black, or ash-gray skin tones. The more human-looking have fiery red hair that writhes under extreme emotion, while more exotic specimens sport actual flames dancing on their heads. Fire genasi voices might sound like crackling flames, and their eyes flare when angered. Some are accompanied by the faint scent of brimstone.

Water

The lapping of waves, the spray of sea foam on the wind, the ocean depths—all of these things call to your heart. You wander freely and take pride in your independence, though others might consider you selfish. Most water genasi look as if they just finished bathing, with beads of moisture collecting on their skin and hair. They smell of fresh rain and clean water. Blue or green skin is common, and most have somewhat overlarge eyes, blue-black in color. A water genasi’s hair might float freely, swaying and waving as if underwater while others may appear matted to their head as though having just emerged from the waters. Some have voices with undertones reminiscent of whale song or trickling streams.

When creating a Genasi, their alignment falls toward a neutral alignment due to their independence and self-reliance. We encourage players wishing to break alignment arcs to journal their characters' experiences that lead up to it.

Character Build

See subraces for appearance information.

• Height Minimum =170cm(5'5")
• Height Maximum = 200cm(6'5")

Roleplay Redux Racial Abilities:

• Air Genasi are granted the racial ability "Air Blast" You may use the elemental power of air to send your foe flying backwards.
• Earth Genasi are granted the racial ability "Rock and Stone." Earth Genasi have passive physical damage resistance. As an action, you may sacrifice the resistance to send shards of stone around you and deal damage.
• Fire Genasi are granted the racial ability "Fire Bolt". You may send a fiery projectile towards your target and deal damage to them. If you hit a flammable object or surface, it ignites. As long as it is not a worn object.
• Water Genasi are granted the racial ability "Water Blast" You may use mending waters to heal a target which you can touch.

Indrid's Racial Stats:

• Strength: 2
• Sorcery: 4
• Vitality: 3
• Grit: 3
• Agility: 2
• Perks: Fight or Flight, Homeostasis, Tenacity, Night Vision

Genasi

An air genasi monk

GENASI

Patron Deity: Varied, typically leaning to deities of their element
Alignment: Usually LN to CN
Average Lifespan: Less than 120 Years