Genasi

"They say we were born in the raw chaos of the world, in the pure explosion of magic as earth met ethereal. From this boom, Genasi were born. We are Nature's voices, we are the elements' companion."

Genasi are humanoids directly connected to the elements who commonly live in areas of pure elemental chaos or in areas with a strong elemental magic connection. There is a belief amongst them, talking of an ancient primordial being who created them all. Who created the universe, the stars, the skies, the nature of magic itself. It is from this pure chaotic creation, the lonely thoughts of a lonely god birthing the Genasi as a direct reflection of all the natural world. Elements given life.

Children of the Natural

Genasi are humanoid and elemental. Primordial writings scratch the story of how Genasi were created. They were the first children born from the sky and the land, the pure combination of concrete and abstract that all other humanoids were made to reflect. Genasi come in all shapes and sizes, dependent on how they live their lives, who their parents are and how the elemental power they possess interacts with their physical being. Many Genasi are raised to respect the elements and Earth, their culture built on the understanding not just how magic flows but how magic flows from the world. Many of them live near veins of raw magic, as such, all Genasi no matter the class have an inherent connection to elemental magic.

Genasi Names and Language

All Genasi speak Primordial, a swishing swirling language filled with ticks and clicks as the crackle of the Natural world reflects on their tongues. The different main elemental subdivisions have different dialects, creating four main dialects amongst Genasi. The naming system honors their connections to the natural world, names based more on the onomotopoeia than titles.

Common Air Genasi Names: Aléh, Ashēhwih, Haeye, Hwhōōh

Common Earth Genasi Names: Ch||, Bapbap, Nkt, Ugnà

Common Fire Genasi Names: Crek, ǂko, ǂun|, K!

Common Water Genasi Names: Kshih, Nbnbl, N!oa, Tsaa

The Four Raw Elements

There are four major elemental Subdivions of Genasi: Air, Earth, Fire, and Water. Outsiders refer to them as Elemental Pure however in Genasi culutre the idea of purity amongst elements is not a concept as all elements come from the same source, their magic simply manifests differently.

Genasi Lands

Most Genasi live on their ancestral lands, not that they can't travel away but rather because of the strong crosscultural emphasis on family and ancestry throughout all Genasi subcultures. Not all Genasi are like this however, and it is commonly encouraged for young Genasi to go out and explore the world in order to better understand the outside before returning back. These lands are rich and ripe with elemental magic, the wild chaos of raw magic left free rather than tamed. Some lands in recent times have been stolen away, however, before a truce was struck with human and elven ambassadors.

Genasi Backgrounds

Each Genasi denomination has it's own traits favored based off Elemental perception and interaction by each culture.

    Air: Much of the Air Genasi denomination encourages freedom and flexibility. Air in all it's forms inspires much of art and literature as well as idioms and phrases. A popular phrase from old Air Genasi texts is "Even in the deepest tunnels, the wind flows from somewhere" (Scribe T!ak, The Winds' Whispers).

    Earth: Earth Genasi are deeply in tune to the rocks and earth, the steadinees of the ground that both grows and consumes. Much of this denomination idealizes the aspects of slow thoughts and patience as impatience in Rock is what leads to landslides, avalanches, and cave collapses. "An upset earth can swallow a civilization in a single night" (Scribe T!ak, Sedimentary Sentiments).

    Fire: Fire Genasi encourage spontaniety and passion, much of this denomination inspired by the crackling flicks of fire flames. However many young Fire Genasi are cautioned to be careful as not all situations require spontaneous voices since "A fire that grows too wild will burn out faster, and leave behind a scorched realm" (Scribe T!ak, Nightly Crackles).

    Water: The water genasi denomination prioritizes calmness and flexibility. Water as an element is very volatile in its natural errosive nature in ways many other elements aren't. There's a heavy emphasis from wiritings that caution Water Genasi to stay calm and collected as "The slightest breeze is enough to make waves in the most motionless pool" (Scribe T!ak, Of Oceans and Lakes).

Genasi Traits

Your Genasi character has certain characteristics in common with all other Genasi.

   Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2.

   Age. Genasi mature at about the same rate as humans and reach adulthood in their late teens. They live somewhat longer than humans do, up to 120 years.

   Alignment. Connected closely to nature, Genasi's alignment lean towards neutral.

   Size. Genasi are as varied as their mortal parents but are generally built like humans, standing anywhere from 5 feet to over 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium.

   Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

   Natural Senses. You have proficiency in either the Nature or Survival skill.

   Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and Primordial. Primordial is a guttural language, filled with harsh syllables and hard consonants.

   Origins. While there are four major subcultures and origins of Genasi, there are sixteen common suborigins of Genasi throughout the realm.

Air Dominant Genasi

Air Dominant Genasi commonly have blue tinted skin, however they come in all sorts of tones and tints to reflect the gradient and ranbow of the sky. Midnight, light blue, whsipy patterns of white are common traits seen in Air Genasi. Their hair is constantly floating with a breeze as wind tunnels swirl in their locks and waves waft around their face. Their primordial dialect is airy, built more on tones and the waspiness of air rather than the more guttural or click based dialects of other genasi, this gives many of their voices a slightly breathy effect.

Air Genasi

The most common of the air dominant genasi, they are born from the flighting freedom of winds and gusts. High mountain tops and windy lands whistle with the voices of the beings born from air.

   Ability Score Increase. Increase an ability score by 1.

   Unending Breath. You can hold your breath indefinitely while you’re not incapacitated.

   Mingle with the Wind. You can cast the Levitate spell once with this trait, requiring no material components, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Feather Fall spell once as a 2nd level spell. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Warding Wind spell as a 3rd level spell. Constitution is your spellcasting ability.

Dust-storm Genasi

Dust Genasi are the remains of earth floating through the air, carried along by winds and breezes as they swirl through the air. Dust Genasi tend to have little moats float around them, their silhoutte shimmery and shifting like dust on the wind.

They are the magical mesh of Air and Earth.

   Ability Score Increase. Increase an ability score by 1.

   Unending Breath. You can hold your breath indefinitely while you’re not incapacitated.

   Zephyr's Bluster. You can cast the Gust of Wind spell once with this trait, requiring no material components, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Feather Fall spell once as a 2nd level spell. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Dust Devil spell as a 3rd level spell. Constitution is your spellcasting ability.

Lightning Genasi

Lightning Genasi are born from the pressurized air of hot winds and the crackle of friction. Sparks light through their hair and skin as electricity sparks at their fingertips. Static is their birthright.

They are the magical mesh of Air and Fire.

   Ability Score Increase. Increase an ability score by 1.

   Unending Breath. You can hold your breath indefinitely while you’re not incapacitated.

   Resistance. You have resistance to lightning damage.

   Static Shock. You know the Shocking Grasp cantrip. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Feather Fall spell once as a 2nd level spell. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Shatter spell as a 3rd level spell. Constitution is your spellcasting ability.

Cloud Genasi

Cloud Genasi come from puffs of heavy water and air, their hair trailing after them in fluffy puffs or thin streaks of white.

They are the magical mesh of Air and Water.

   Ability Score Increase. Increase an ability score by 1.

   Unending Breath. You can hold your breath indefinitely while you’re not incapacitated.

   Obscuring Winds. You can cast the Fog Cloud spell at 2nd level once with this trait, requiring no material components, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Feather Fall spell once as a 2nd level spell. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Snilloc's Snowball Swarm spell as a 3rd level spell. Constitution is your spellcasting ability.

Earth Dominant Genasi

Earth Dominant Genasi typically come in shades and tints of ash and browns, ranging from the pale tawny waves of sands to the deep ruddy color of adobe and clay. Some are speckled with the dust of soil, others have veins of pale marble and even crystalline freckles. Moss grows slowly over the backs of earth genasi living in woods and swamps, vines hanging down their head and curling around their face as eyes turn from rocky grey to forest green. The Earth Genasi dialect is rough and almost rocky in nature, guttural sounds and glottal stops making their way into the language.

Earth Genasi

The most common of the earth dominant genasi, they are descended from the crust of the earth, from the steady solid rock of the world. From this connection to soil they have control over the rock and ground.

   Ability Score Increase. Increase an ability score by 1.

   Earth Walk. You can move across difficult terrain made of earth or stone without expending extra movement.

   Merge with Stone. You can cast the Pass Without Trace spell once with this trait, requiring no material components, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Earth Tremor spell once as a 2nd level spell. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Maximilian’s Earthen Grasp spell as a 3rd level spell. Constitution is your spellcasting ability.

Sand Genasi

Dusky waves of grit and earth roll along. Clumps of grit clings to their hair and clothes in a constant wave of slipping dunes pouring off their person.

They are the magical mesh of Earth and Air.

   Ability Score Increase. Increase an ability score by 1.

   Earth Walk. You can move across difficult terrain made of earth or stone without expending extra movement.

   Sandy Tides. You can cast the Dust Devil spell once with this trait, requiring no material components, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Feather Fall spell once as a 2nd level spell. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Cloud of Daggers spell as a 3rd level spell.Constitution is your spellcasting ability.

Smoke Genasi

Smoke genasi smell of ash and sputtered fire. Soot and charcoal dust their clothes and body as the remains of a blaze burn through their veins.

They are the magical mesh of Earth and Fire.

   Ability Score Increase. Increase an ability score by 1.

   Earth Walk. You can move across difficult terrain made of earth or stone without expending extra movement.

   Scorching Ash. You can cast the Pyrotechnics spell once with this trait, requiring no material components, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Fog Cloud spell once as a 2nd level spell. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Aganazzar’s Scorcher spell as a 3rd level spell. Constitution is your spellcasting ability.

Mud Genasi

Mud Genasi are heavy and sturdy, some with clay wighing down their limbs and crusting off their shoulders and face. Watery earth drips down their head in thick logs, muddy footprints following their steps before sinking into the earth and leaving almost no trace.

   Ability Score Increase. Increase an ability score by 1.

   Earth Walk. You can move across difficult terrain made of earth or stone without expending extra movement.

   Muddy Marks. You can cast the Mold Earth cantrip once with this trait, requiring no material components, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Absorb Elements spell once as a 2nd level spell. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Earthbind spell as a 3rd level spell. Constitution is your spellcasting ability.

Fire Dominant Genasi

Fire Dominant Genasi have a warm red or yellow tint to their skin, their veins running from orange to blue as warmth and heat blazes through their hair and body. For many, Fire Genasi are hard to look at, the raw glow of flame commonly trailing around them as they walk. Their eyes can glow depending on their emotions, flames crackling in their irises as they peer through day and night. Hot deserts and torches, wildfires and smoky volcanos thread themselves through the creaking crackling language of harsh consonants and inflections built off the rasp of Vocal Fry.

Fire Genasi

The most common of the fire dominant genasi, they are born from the crackle of kindling as heated streams split open wood and light oil. Fire genasi are pure heat and flame.

   Ability Score Increase. Increase an ability score by 1.

   Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim. light Due to your connection to fire, everything seen in darkvision is colored in shades of reds, oranges, and yellows.

   Fire Resistance. You have resistance to fire damage.

   Reach to the Blaze. You know the Produce Flame cantrip. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Burning Hands spell once with this trait as a 2nd-level spell, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Flame Blade spell as a 3rd level spell. Constitution is your spellcasting ability.

Firestorm Genasi

Heat rushes in the air, sweltering hot and heavy as cracks fill the air the blaze of red, orange and yellow. It is in the blaze that winds swirl around and give rise to a being made of heat, air, and combustion.

Firestorm Genasi are the meagical mesh of Fire and Air.

   Ability Score Increase. Increase an ability score by 1.

   Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim. light Due to your connection to fire, everything seen in darkvision is colored in shades of reds, oranges, and yellows.

   Fire Resistance. You have resistance to fire damage.

   Storm's Strike. You know the Thunderclap cantrip. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Burning Hands spell once as a 2nd level spell. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Flame Blade spell as a 3rd level spell. Constitution is your spellcasting ability.

Magma Genasi

A flow of red and orange crack the earth apart as fire mixes with the ground and creates thick burning streams of consuming liquid. Molten, inviscid, volanic earth gives rise to the birth of a Lava genasi. Their veins run hot and red with the liquid flow of fire as their hair drips heavy and hot, others sharp and sturdy with volcanic rock cracking their skin.

Lava Genasi are the magical mesh of Fire and Earth.

   Ability Score Increase. Increase an ability score by 1.

   Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim. light Due to your connection to fire, everything seen in darkvision is colored in shades of reds, oranges, and yellows.

   Fire Resistance. You have resistance to fire damage.

   The Lash of Lava. You know the Produce Flame cantrip. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Hellish Rebuke spell once with this trait as a 2nd-level spell, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Scorching Ray spell as a 3rd level spell. Constitution is your spellcasting ability.

Steam Genasi

Puffs of heated water and hot air wafts from springs, gysers and pools, trails of boiling wisps wafting up from teas and soups. It's the heat of water, the boil of liquid that Steam Genasi are born.

Steam Genasi are the mesh of Fire and Water

   Ability Score Increase. Increase an ability score by 1.

   Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim. light Due to your connection to fire, everything seen in darkvision is colored in shades of reds, oranges, and yellows.

   Fire Resistance. You have resistance to fire damage.

   Boiling Blisters. You know the Control Flames cantrip. Once you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Heat Metal spell once with this trait as a 2nd-level spell, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Acid Arrow spell as a 3rd level spell. Constitution is your spellcasting ability.

Water Dominant Genasi

Water Dominant Genasi have very relfective almost glittery skin, their tones mostly colored in tints and shades of blues and purples. Sometimes they can get confused for Air Dominant Genasi due to the way water reflects on the sky if it weren't for the way water constantly clings to their skin and hair without getting their clothes wet. A dewy glow is constant on theses watery beings, their language as smooth and gentle as pools. The Water Genasi dialect is filled with round open vowels and light clicks that sound like droplets, heavy lisps and s's littering their accent as they speak.

Water Genasi

The most common of the water dominant genasi, they are born from the laps of tides and the shifts of waves. They come from the trickle of waterfalls and the glacier grind of ice as earth is carved out by the weight of ice and water streams. They are pure flow and cool splashes of droplets in the air.

   Ability Score Increase. Increase an ability score by 1.

   Acid Resistance. You have resistance to acid damage.

   Amphibious. You can breathe air and water.

   Swim. You have a swimming speed of 30 feet.

   Call to the Wave. You know the Shape Water cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Create or Destroy Water spell as a 2nd-level spell once with this trait, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Acid Arrow spell as a 3rd level spell. Constitution is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Ice Genasi

Ice Genasi come from snow and sleet and tides so cold they turn into a frosty form of glass. Snow and Ice clings to their bodies, the normal shift of water in their hair seemingly absent or slowed by the weight of cold spells and frosted peaks.

   They are the magical mesh of Water and Air.

   Ability Score Increase. Increase an ability score by 1.

   Cold Resistance. You have resistance to cold damage.

   Amphibious. You can breathe air and water.

   Swim. You have a swimming speed of 30 feet.

   Chilled Body. You know the Frostbite cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Frost Fingers spell as a 2nd-level spell once with this trait, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Snilloc's Snowball Swarm spell as a 3rd level spell. Constitution is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Wetland Genasi

Wetland Genasi are born from the zones of where water meets land, streams turning the lands wet and the tides murky and brackish. Soil is saturated with the tide, water moving slowly as moss and shrubs dip into its murky body.

They are the magical mesh of Water and Earth.

   Ability Score Increase. Increase an ability score by 1.

   Poison Resistance. You have resistance to poison damage.

   Amphibious. You can breathe air and water.

   Swim. You have a swimming speed of 30 feet.

   Whispers of the Marsh. You know the Thorn Whip cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Entangle spell as a 2nd-level spell once with this trait, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Barkskin spell as a 3rd level spell. Constitution is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Mist Genasi

Mist Genasi come from the puffs of hot breath meeting cold air, the light drizzles of humid rains on cool ground. They come from the static lights dancing in the mountains, from the volcanic heat meeting the cool gentle clouds.

They are the magical mesh of Water and Fire

   Ability Score Increase. Increase an ability score by 1.

   Acid Resistance. You have resistance to acid damage.

   Amphibious. You can breathe air and water.

   Swim. You have a swimming speed of 30 feet.

   Steps of Dew. You know the Acid Splash cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Misty Step spell as a 2nd-level spell once with this trait, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Heat Metal spell as a 3rd level spell. Constitution is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Triadic Genasi Variants

There are some Genasi who are not just a mesh of two magics but three. These Genasi are exceedinlgy rare as it is hard for magic of three types to strike a balance with each other as the innate magic ability in Genasi isn't rooted just in heritage but also in proximity to certain raw veins of magical source.

Acid Genasi

Acidic pools erode the earth as water is filled with gnawing properties. Rain scraping away rock as geyser's burst into the air and carry their sharp stings. It is from the errosion and the salt of the air that Acid Genasi are born.

These Genasi are the mesh of Air, Earth, and Water.

   Ability Score Increase. Increase an ability score by 1.

   Acid Resistance. You have resistance to acid damage.

   Amphibious. You can breathe air and water.

   Acidic Attributes. You know the Acid Splash cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Melf's Acid Arrows spell as a 2nd-level spell once with this trait, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Heat Metal spell as a 3rd level spell. Constitution is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Volcanic Genasi

The Earth splits open to reveal veins of molten rock, magma turned to lava as it drips down the earth's crust with quakes that rock the realm. These Genasi are born from fire, chaos, and toxic gas. The blaze of fire meeting the air and earth to create eruptions of destruction and heat.

These Genasi are the mesh of Air, Earth, and Fire.

   Ability Score Increase. Increase an ability score by 1.

   Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light

   Fire Resistance. You have resistance to fire damage.

   Pyromanic Eruptions. You know the Create Bonfire cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Earth Tremor spell as a 2nd-level spell once with this trait, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Heat Metal spell as a 3rd level spell. Constitution is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Storm Genasi

Storms of lightning and thunder split the sky to strike the realm. Water clashes with Fire, Fire meshes with air, and Air swirls with and cold to create the swirling mass of lightning and clouds deep in storms. Storm Genasi are surrounded by chaos born of the air, spires of wind waving their hair as their eyes blaze brilliant and sharp with the crackle of static.

These Genasi are the mesh of Air, Fire, and Water.

   Ability Score Increase. Increase an ability score by 1.

   Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim.

   Lightning Resistance. You have resistance to lightning damage.

   Unending Breath. You can hold your breath indefinitely while you’re not incapacitated.

   Thunder's Flame. You know the Ray of Frost cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Thunderwave spell as a 2nd-level spell once with this trait, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Cloud of Daggers spell as a 3rd level spell. Constitution is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Crystal Genasi

Crystal Genasi come from the calming of volcanic eruptions, they are the pressurized stones left from destruction as rains and waves water the earth and let it heal. Bits of crystal freckle their cracked craggy bodies, eyes the color of stones and jewels as their hair shimmers with opalescent light.

These Genasi are the mesh of Earth, Fire, and Water.

   Ability Score Increase. Increase an ability score by 1.

   Earth Walk. You can move across difficult terrain made of earth or stone without expending extra movement.

   Poison Resistance. You have resistance to poison damage.

   Polished Earth. You know the Mold Earth cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Entangle spell as a 2nd-level spell once with this trait, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Spike Growth spell as a 3rd level spell. Constitution is your spellcasting ability for these spells.

Fungal Genasi

These are the rarest of all genasi, a combination of all four elements as they create primordial life. All things come from lichen and fungus, and all things end with fungus and Lichen. Spores float around these genasi, their veins made of roots and their body made of wood, water, clay, fire. They are all four elements at once.

   Ability Score Increase. Increase an ability score by 1.

   Earth Walk. You can move across difficult terrain made of earth or stone without expending extra movement.

   Poison Resistance. You have resistance to poison damage.

   Unending Breath. You can hold your breath indefinitely while you’re not incapacitated.

   Nature's Touch. You know the Poison Spray cantrip. When you reach 3rd level, you can cast the Absorb Elements spell as a 2nd-level spell once with this trait, and you regain the ability to cast it this way when you finish a long rest. Once you reach 5th level, you can also cast the Maximilian’s Earthen Grasp spell as a 3rd level spell. Constitution is your spellcasting ability for these spells.