Genesi
The whisper of a breeze, the crackle of a flame, the crest of a wave, the immovability of stone. These things are as much a part of the genasi as flesh and blood. The descendants of a union between an elemental being and humans.
These extremely rare beings inspire more distrust and prejudice than others of their ilk for public opinion regards them as more alien and in general, they maintain a contempt for other races with an air of superiority that doesn't endure them to anyone.
Their elemental nature is often extremely evident. Individuals nearly always display a physical characteristic or two that reveals they are more than simply human - skin or hair color, a special aura, or some other such manifestation almost always marks them. While each is a complex individual some remain virtual caricatures of their heritage, fire genesai often being hot-tempered and quick while earth genesai tend to be slower and methodical for example.
Spirits of the wind, djinn, sylphs and other such creatures very rarely take special exceptional human men and women to be their mates. The offspring of these union are air genasi who see themselves as the rightful inheritors of their lineage, the sky, the wind and the very air that other creatures breathe. These beings are usually raised on the plane of Air in floating human cities and castles, although occasionally one will be raised among the djinn. Air genasi are accepted and even respected among the humans and other non-native beings who have chosen the plane of Air as their home. Elsewhere, however, they are as disliked as the genasi of other elements.
In appearance air genasi vary considerably, usually displaying one or more of the following traits:
- Light blue skin or hair - A constant light wisp of a breeze about them at all times, even while indoors - A distinctive breathy voice with strange inflection and accent - Flesh that is very cool to the touch
Although they can have any number of different outlooks and personality traits, most are arrogant and pretentious, looking upon other races as inferior, at least to some degree, and upon other genasi as rivals. Air genasi have no need to breathe and consider such base actions a horrible waste of pure pristine air. Their contempt for breathing creatures begins there and tends to only get worse. Of course. this doesn't mean that an air genasi cannot interact and even be friends with members of other races it just makes it even more difficult. Strong, immovable, and ponderous, stone princes exhibit these qualities of the earth. These are descendants of human and earth-beings with the elemental parent most often a dao. Creature of elemental earth care nothing for creatures of flesh and so such offspring are virtually always raised among their human kin. Most earth genasi embrace their elemental nature, reveling in their superiority, strength, and earth-born power. Though no less arrogant than the other genasi they are not as obvious about it. Their conceit is the quiet certainty that they are greater than those around them. Their closeness to the earth gives them a connection to the fundamental aspects of the universe that lesser beings cannot even begin to fathom. In appearance, many earth genasi seem dirty, rough, and rugged, like a handful of earth and rock. Others look as impeccably clean as polished stones. They prefer no particular clothing, although many choose to adorn themselves and their possessions with precious gems and metals. Earth genasi also have one or more of the following physical traits: - Brown leathery almost stonelike skin - A metallic sheen to their skin or hair - Blocky features, thick torsos, and limbs - Brown, black. or even gray hair - Rough, almost gritty flesh - Deep, slow speech, like the rumbling of the earth - Black eyes like deep pits
Slow to act and ponderous in thought they are far from stupid. They simply prefer to consider their actions and the implications and effects that those actions might have. Of all other races, dwarves are most likely to take to the earth genasi and vice versa. A few earth genasi reject their heritage and their progenitors who apparently abandoned them with and use their inherited powers for the good of humanity and become selfless defenders of their mortal kin but such cases are extremely rare. Fiery and hot-blooded, the heat of white flame burns in the hearts of the fire genasi. They claim to be forged rather than born though this is merely a metaphor. The offspring of humans and beings such as efreet and fire spirits are usually slain ounight by their nonhuman parents, but some escape to human settlements with their mortal parent. These individuals and their descendants are secure in the knowledge that they surpass in all ways the mundane nonmagical creatures who surround them in mortal society. Fire burns destroys and consumes. Lesser creatures are afraid or fire and fire genasi believe themselves avatars of this fearful destructive energy. In personality the fire genasi stay true to their heritage and are full of energy, high strung, and quick to act. When they speak it is to act rather than discuss. Fire genasi prefer blacks and reds in their clothing and jewelry. Appearance is important to them although they prefer simple and elegant to gaudy or lavishness. The physical appearance of these individuals usually includes one or more or the following traits: - Deep red or coal black skin - Deep red hair moving on its own like waving flames - A voice crackling like the sound or a fire burning - Perpetually warm flesh even hot to the touch - Fiery red eyes glowing with the intensity of flames
The endless lapping of wave after wave, the salty sea foam spraying into the air, the bottomless ocean depths with pitiless darkness and breathteking pressure, these are the pieces that form the beating of a water genasi's heart. The decendants of the rare offspring of a mortal and water spirit such as a nereid, the most common parent, the marid or other watery elemental. These elemental children are as unlike their brethren as they are from their parents. An independence of a singular sort is bred into the water genasi giving rise to their unique outlook. Water genasi often become the orphans of the sea, raised by neither parent but cared for by some kindly sea creature. Often dolphins, whales, sea elves, mermen, or tritons guard these outcasts, although sometimes darker races such as sharks, sahuagin, or even ixitxachitl parent the emental beings rather than killing them for food. Such unfortunate souls are trained in evil practices and becoming powerful servants of those who raised them. Those raised by more neutral or kindly folk usually stay with their adoptive parents for a short time before they take to the open sea alone. There, the water genasi explore and learn on their own. During their isolation, they develop strong personalities, each different from any other genasi but always matching each other in extremes. Some exhibit traits of heroism to the point of martyrdom, while others are paranoid and peery to such a degree that a body can only assume they rave. This strong personality and extreme traits give them the arrogance common to all genasi. They believe themselves to be singular beings, unique to all the multiverse and to some extent they are correct. Water genasi always display one or more of the following physical traits: - Blue-green skin or hair - Blue-black eyes - A light, very thin layer of scales covering the body - Hair waving in waves as though underwater - A muffled voice resembling underwater sounds like the echoing songs of whales - Cold. clammy flesh All water genasi are amphibious though they have no visible gills. Rather, they simply breathe water as easily as air. Being a genasi is realizing no one understands you. They can't. Their minds are limited by their mortal heritage. While they can't help their parentage that doesn't change the fact that a genasi views themselves always as their superior. It is not a matter of prejudice it is a simple fact to them. Having the power of the very elements themselves flowing through their veins they spend little effort to muse over that point. In fact, they view it as their destiny to make a great name for themselves and any other discussion is a waste of their valuable time. The annals of history will forever remember their name as it frequents the lips of future generations. But this can only happen if they begin now. Obstacles the likes of which have never been encountered await them and pose challenges only they can overcome.
- Light blue skin or hair - A constant light wisp of a breeze about them at all times, even while indoors - A distinctive breathy voice with strange inflection and accent - Flesh that is very cool to the touch
Although they can have any number of different outlooks and personality traits, most are arrogant and pretentious, looking upon other races as inferior, at least to some degree, and upon other genasi as rivals. Air genasi have no need to breathe and consider such base actions a horrible waste of pure pristine air. Their contempt for breathing creatures begins there and tends to only get worse. Of course. this doesn't mean that an air genasi cannot interact and even be friends with members of other races it just makes it even more difficult. Strong, immovable, and ponderous, stone princes exhibit these qualities of the earth. These are descendants of human and earth-beings with the elemental parent most often a dao. Creature of elemental earth care nothing for creatures of flesh and so such offspring are virtually always raised among their human kin. Most earth genasi embrace their elemental nature, reveling in their superiority, strength, and earth-born power. Though no less arrogant than the other genasi they are not as obvious about it. Their conceit is the quiet certainty that they are greater than those around them. Their closeness to the earth gives them a connection to the fundamental aspects of the universe that lesser beings cannot even begin to fathom. In appearance, many earth genasi seem dirty, rough, and rugged, like a handful of earth and rock. Others look as impeccably clean as polished stones. They prefer no particular clothing, although many choose to adorn themselves and their possessions with precious gems and metals. Earth genasi also have one or more of the following physical traits: - Brown leathery almost stonelike skin - A metallic sheen to their skin or hair - Blocky features, thick torsos, and limbs - Brown, black. or even gray hair - Rough, almost gritty flesh - Deep, slow speech, like the rumbling of the earth - Black eyes like deep pits
Slow to act and ponderous in thought they are far from stupid. They simply prefer to consider their actions and the implications and effects that those actions might have. Of all other races, dwarves are most likely to take to the earth genasi and vice versa. A few earth genasi reject their heritage and their progenitors who apparently abandoned them with and use their inherited powers for the good of humanity and become selfless defenders of their mortal kin but such cases are extremely rare. Fiery and hot-blooded, the heat of white flame burns in the hearts of the fire genasi. They claim to be forged rather than born though this is merely a metaphor. The offspring of humans and beings such as efreet and fire spirits are usually slain ounight by their nonhuman parents, but some escape to human settlements with their mortal parent. These individuals and their descendants are secure in the knowledge that they surpass in all ways the mundane nonmagical creatures who surround them in mortal society. Fire burns destroys and consumes. Lesser creatures are afraid or fire and fire genasi believe themselves avatars of this fearful destructive energy. In personality the fire genasi stay true to their heritage and are full of energy, high strung, and quick to act. When they speak it is to act rather than discuss. Fire genasi prefer blacks and reds in their clothing and jewelry. Appearance is important to them although they prefer simple and elegant to gaudy or lavishness. The physical appearance of these individuals usually includes one or more or the following traits: - Deep red or coal black skin - Deep red hair moving on its own like waving flames - A voice crackling like the sound or a fire burning - Perpetually warm flesh even hot to the touch - Fiery red eyes glowing with the intensity of flames
The endless lapping of wave after wave, the salty sea foam spraying into the air, the bottomless ocean depths with pitiless darkness and breathteking pressure, these are the pieces that form the beating of a water genasi's heart. The decendants of the rare offspring of a mortal and water spirit such as a nereid, the most common parent, the marid or other watery elemental. These elemental children are as unlike their brethren as they are from their parents. An independence of a singular sort is bred into the water genasi giving rise to their unique outlook. Water genasi often become the orphans of the sea, raised by neither parent but cared for by some kindly sea creature. Often dolphins, whales, sea elves, mermen, or tritons guard these outcasts, although sometimes darker races such as sharks, sahuagin, or even ixitxachitl parent the emental beings rather than killing them for food. Such unfortunate souls are trained in evil practices and becoming powerful servants of those who raised them. Those raised by more neutral or kindly folk usually stay with their adoptive parents for a short time before they take to the open sea alone. There, the water genasi explore and learn on their own. During their isolation, they develop strong personalities, each different from any other genasi but always matching each other in extremes. Some exhibit traits of heroism to the point of martyrdom, while others are paranoid and peery to such a degree that a body can only assume they rave. This strong personality and extreme traits give them the arrogance common to all genasi. They believe themselves to be singular beings, unique to all the multiverse and to some extent they are correct. Water genasi always display one or more of the following physical traits: - Blue-green skin or hair - Blue-black eyes - A light, very thin layer of scales covering the body - Hair waving in waves as though underwater - A muffled voice resembling underwater sounds like the echoing songs of whales - Cold. clammy flesh All water genasi are amphibious though they have no visible gills. Rather, they simply breathe water as easily as air. Being a genasi is realizing no one understands you. They can't. Their minds are limited by their mortal heritage. While they can't help their parentage that doesn't change the fact that a genasi views themselves always as their superior. It is not a matter of prejudice it is a simple fact to them. Having the power of the very elements themselves flowing through their veins they spend little effort to muse over that point. In fact, they view it as their destiny to make a great name for themselves and any other discussion is a waste of their valuable time. The annals of history will forever remember their name as it frequents the lips of future generations. But this can only happen if they begin now. Obstacles the likes of which have never been encountered await them and pose challenges only they can overcome.
RPG Datasheet
Genesai
Elemental Evil Player's Companion page 7Subrace 1: Air Genesai
Elemental Evil Player's Companion page 9Subrace 2: Earth Genesai
Elemental Evil Player's Companion page 9Subrace 3: Fire Genesai
Elemental Evil Player's Companion page 9Subrace 3: Water Genesai
Elemental Evil Player's Companion page 10Much of this section, by necessity, ties into the Dungeons and Dragons Role Playing Game by Wizards of the Coast. Any non-original material that is found herein remains under the ownership of the originating author and is not intended to violate any laws. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of any person, living or dead or undead, real or fictitious, male or female, religious or atheist, bald or full head of hair, stubbled or fat-bearded. No people or animals, other than the author's sanity, were harmed in the creation of this article. Please wash your hands after going to the washroom. For entertainment purposes only.
Comments