Genasi

Thanks to u/phazone from Reddit for the amazing cover art!

When the Elemental Realms were crafted, Alindr harnessed the energies of the four Primordial Titans, whom Yamma had slain. In the hopes of maintaining order in these new planes of elemental essence, Alindr and Yamma fused humans with the elemental energies of the four slain Titans. Thus, the genasi were born.
Infused with less elemental energy than, say, triton, genasi still have a modicum of elemental power. They exist in four distinct types, correlating to the Titan that their blood was infused with: earth, air, water, and fire. This can affect them physically, mentally, and/or grant them elemental powers. Additionally, though the original genasi were created from humans, genasi blood has since been spread and diluted across most races. As such, your genasi could be an elementally-infused orc, gnome, or elf. Talk with your DM about the options available to you (your racial influence has no mechanical weight, and is pure flavor).

Heirs to Elemental Power

Genasi inherit something from both sides of their dual nature. They resemble humans but have unusual skin colors (typically correlating to their elemental heritage) and sometimes manifest more... interesting elemental traits. The elemental blood flowing through their veins manifests differently in each genasi, often as magical power.
Seen in silhouette, a genasi can usually pass for human. Those of earth or water descent tend to be heavier, while those of air or fire tend to be lighter. A given genasi might have some features reminiscent of their mortal parents, such as an elf's ears or a gnome's build.

Children of the Titans

Genasi are, in a way, the children of the Primordial Titans. While few to none know this consciously anymore, all genasi still bear varying degrees of influence from their Titanic heritage. This tends to manifest itself in a general confidence or assuredness in themselves. This may manifest itself differently in different genasi, but most genasi have some innate feeling that they are apart of the lifeblood of Yophas, and some are aware of the power this gives them over the elements.

Genasi Names/Ethnicities

Genasi use the naming conventions of the people among whom they were raised. They might later assume distinctive names to capture their heritage, such as Flame, Ember, Wave, or Onyx. They could belong to any of the Cultures listed in the Cultures/Ethniciites category, or be raised in any of the eight Elemental Realms (Pure or Border) found under Yophas, the Eternal Design.

Creating Your Character

At 1st level, you choose what race your character belongs to. If you choose a genasi, follow the rules found below to make your genasi hero -- or villain.

Ability Score Increases

When determining your character's ability scores, increase one score by 2 and increase a different score by 1, or increase three different scores by 1. Follow this rule regardless of the method you use to determine the scores, such as rolling or point buy. The "Quick Build" section of your character's class offers suggestions on which scores to increase. You can follow those suggestions or ignore them, but you can't raise any of your scores above 20.

Languages

Your character can speak, read, and write Common and one other language that you can your DM agree is appropriate for the character. The Player's Handbook offers a list of languages to choose from. The DM is free to modify that list for a campaign.

Creature Type

Every creature in D&D, including each player character, has a special tag in the rules that identifies the type of creature they are. Most player characters are of the Humanoid type. Your race tells you what your character's creature type is.
Here's a list of the game's creature types in alphabetical order: Aberration, Beast, Celestial, Construct, Dragon, Elemental, Fey, Fiend, Giant, Humanoid, Monstrosity, Ooze, Plant, Undead. These types don't have rules themselves, but some rules in the game affect creatures of certain types in different ways. For example, the cure wounds spell doesn't work on a Construct or an Undead.

Genasi Traits

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

Age

Genasi mature at about the same rate as humans and reach adulthood in their late teens. They live longer than humans do, up to 150 years.

Creature Type

You are a Humanoid.

Size

Genasi are as varied as their heritage but most are generally built like humans, standing anywhere from 5 feet to over 6 feet tall. Your size is Medium or Small, which you choose when you make your character.

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. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

Subraces

There are four major subraces of genasi: air genasi, earth genasi, fire genasi, and water genasi. Choose of these subraces.

Air Genasi

As an air genasi, you are descended from Thambos, the Air Titan. 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.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 35 feet.

Unending Breath

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

Lightning Resistance

You have resistance to lightning damage.

Mingle with the Wind

You know the shocking grasp cantrip. Starting at 3rd level, you can cast the feather fall spell with this trait, without requiring a material component. Starting at 5th level, you can cast the levitate spell with this trait, without requiring a material component Once you cast feather fall or levitate with this trait, you can't cast that spell with it again until you finish a long rest. You can also cast either of those spells using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level.
Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell (choose when you select this race).

Earth Genasi

As an earth genasi, you are descended from the Earth Titan, Hermax. 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.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Earth Walk

You can move across difficult terrain made of earth or stone without expending extra movement if you are using your walking speed on the ground or a floor.

Merge with Stone

You know the blade ward cantrip. You can cast it as normal, and you can also cast it as a bonus action a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, regaining all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
Starting at 5th level, you can cast the pass without trace spell with this trait, without requiring a material component. Once you cast that spell with this trait, you can't do so again until you finish a long rest. You can also cast it using any spell slots you have of 2nd level or higher.
Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell (choose when you select this race).

Fire Genasi

As a fire genasi, you have inherited the volatile mood and keen mind of Ankhisteia, the Flame Titan. 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.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

Fire Resistance

You have resistance to fire damage.

Reach to the Blaze

You know the produce flame cantrip. Starting at 3rd level, you can cast the burning hands spell with this trait, without requiring a material component. Starting at 5th level, you can cast the flame blade spell with this trait, without requiring a material component. Once you cast burning hands or flame blade with this trait, you can't cast that spell with it again until you finish a long rest. You can also cast either of those spells using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level.
Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell (choose when you select this race).

Water Genasi

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. Some have voices with undertones reminiscent of whale song or trickling streams.

Speed

Your base walking speed is 30 feet, and you have a swimming speed equal to your walking speed.

Acid Resistance

You have resistance to acid damage.

Amphibious

You can breathe air and water.

Call to the Wave

You know the acid splash cantrip. Starting at 3rd level, you can cast the create or destroy water spell with this trait, without requiring a material component. Starting at 5th level, you can cast the water walk spell with this trait, without requiring a material component. Once you cast create or destroy water or water walk with this trait, you can't cast that spell with it again until you finish a long rest. You can also cast either of those spells using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level.
Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell (choose when you select this race).

Creation Mythos

Genasi were created by Yamma and Alindr by infusing human spirits with elemental energies siphoned from the Titans. They were intended to be stewards and guardians of the Elemental Realms, tasked with keeping the planes balanced as well as ensuring that the Titans never roused nor exerted great influence on the different realms. Today, knowledge of this millennium-old task varies. Certain genasi communities that managed to survive the Reckoning still maintain handfuls of records of their old ways, but most Emaxian genasi have no idea.