Genasi

Strange, alien creatures from a primordial world. Creatures of pure magic and energy. Constructs beyond the reach of the gods. The Genasi occupy a strange history, from their unnatural creation to the hellish fate awaiting their world and their kind.

Origin

The Genasi lack any divine connotations to their creation. They were instead spawned of primordial origin: from the brimming, chaotic worlds of the Elemental Planes. The Elemental Planes house pure, primordial energy that could not possibly contain itself to the mortal plane. They have often been described as organisms: living, breathing worlds where every mountain is connected to every flower. They are realms of movement, chaos, and life. Thus, it is unsurprising that numerous forms of life would evolve from their chaos. From the mindless elementals to the megalomaniacal genies. However, one entity stands out as being wholly unique: a fully realized mortal lineage known as the Genasi.|
Early in the history of Genasi, they were nearly wiped out by the divine power. Their plants died, their water was corrupted, and their very ability to reproduce was threatened. And then, just as mysteriously as this strange calamity began, it ended after nine years. This victory would go on to define the Genasi for years to come.

Description

The Genasi of Tetraverium are strange, temperamental creatures. They traditionally stand at 5 to 6 feet tall, and between 80 and 160 pounds. They have a lifespan of one hundred years. Their forms relate to the element from which they spawn: Fire, Earth, Water, or Air. This often takes the form of colored skin, eyes submerged in their element, and wispy hair that moves with the grace of their element. They often leak their element, and can summon its power at will. Some resemble creatures related to their element, with frog legs or the wings of a bird.

Socialization

The Genasi would spend thousands of years alone on the Elemental Planes. There, they constructed societies all their own. Some of these cities act as ancient wonders, built with impressive diligence and perseverance. The City of Brass is infamous for its towering structures and oppressive architecture, whereas the City of Jems is known for the beautiful crystals that hang off every wall. To each other, Genasi life was perfectly normal. Genasi could often communicate or understand one another just by looking, so the Primordial language lacks detail.
The Genasi world would be changed forever when the Forge Empire arrived. Through the Island of Gallows, an island filled with extraplanar portals, the Forge Empire discovered the Elemental Planes. They ignored the beautiful architecture and mysterious culture, and were consumed by the available resources. Thus, they mounted a campaign to colonize the Elemental Planes, pillaging and plundering them of all their resources. The Molten Guard marched through Gallows, and began a campaign of total war.
The Genasi were ill-prepared for war. Their kind was synchronous with one another, and the elemental planes itself. It’s said that the elemental planes were living, breathing organisms, and the Genasi were just a small part of these living worlds. They were attuned to every rock, every river, and even the air itself. They were more primal than mortal. This means they felt the pain of the land when the Forge Empire brought their drills and began to dig. They tried to fight back, but didn’t understand how to fight. They had never faced anything foreign before. Thus, their systems were overrun and their people were slaughtered. Their great cities crumbled to rubble.
The colonization of the Elemental Planes would last for thousands of years, before efforts slowly died out after the Demonic Cataclysm. It simply became too costly to manage operations that were showing dwindling returns every year. Throughout this process, Genasi frequently came to the mortal plane, either to fight or to find a new life. Slowly, despite their eccentricities, they came to inhabit the mortal plane in small numbers. By the time the Holy Kingdom stepped in, they were a rumor to some, a common fixture to others, and wholly integrated into the world.

Living in Tetraverium

Despite thousands of years of integration, the Genasi have never fully adapted to Tetraverium, even to this day. They are creatures of pure primordial magic. While they resemble humanoids, they are unmistakably not. They present an almost alien quality to themselves, misunderstanding social cues and unable to comprehend culture. They can’t understand tone of voice, speech patterns, or pick up language the way other mortals can. They are not of this world.
The Holy Kingdom has never respected the Genasi. They lack a true connection to divinity. The Holy Kingdom shuns all Genasi, exempting them from rule of law and often placing them in prisons. Some have even been tossed into the Void alongside Tieflings. The path is for a Genasi to open themselves to the Divine Quartet, and accept special blessings intended to bring them into the fold. These rites are common for all Genasi living in Selestia, and are often done publicly to increase morale.
To this day, the Genasi lack a place in the world. Their home, the Elemental Planes, remain in ruins, destroyed by pollution and mining efforts. Meanwhile, this new world doesn’t understand them, and they do not understand it. Unfortunately, there is no solution for the Genasi. They must change to adapt, but one cannot change an entire ecosystem. Thus, they continue to struggle to exist in a hostile world.

Subraces

There are four types of Genasi: Fire Genasi, Water Genasi, Earth Genasi, and Air Genasi. Each inhabit one of the four elemental planes, and correlate to that element.

Mechanics

If you select a Genasi as your species, you must also select your element. Based on that decision, you gain the following traits:

Fire Genasi

Ability Score Increase: You can increase one Ability Score by 2 and another Ability Score by 1.
Creature Type: You are an Elemental.
Size: You are Medium or Small. You choose the size when you select this race.
Speed: Your walking speed is 30 feet.
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 discern colors in that darkness only as shades of gray. Primordial Talent: Choose one of the following skills to be proficient in: Acrobatics, Athletics, Nature, or Survival.
Master Craftsman: Whenever you make an ability check using Tools you are proficient with, you can double your proficiency bonus.
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. Starting at 5th level, you can also 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 these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this race).
Languages: Your character can speak, read, and write Common and Ignan.

Water Genasi

Ability Score Increase: You can increase one Ability Score by 2 and another Ability Score by 1.
Creature Type: You are an Elemental.
Size: You are Medium or Small. You choose the size when you select this race.
Speed: Your walking speed is 30 feet.
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 discern colors in that darkness only as shades of gray.
Primordial Talent: Choose one of the following skills to be proficient in: Acrobatics, Athletics, Nature, or Survival.
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. Starting at 5th level, you can also 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 these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this race).
Languages: Your character can speak, read, and write Common and Aquan.

Earth Genasi

Ability Score Increase: You can increase one Ability Score by 2 and another Ability Score by 1.
Creature Type: You are an Elemental.
Size: You are Medium or Small. You choose the size when you select this race.
Speed: Your walking speed is 30 feet.
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 discern colors in that darkness only as shades of gray.
Primordial Talent: Choose one of the following skills to be proficient in: Acrobatics, Athletics, Nature, or Survival.
Earth Walk: You can move across difficult terrain 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 these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this race).
Languages: Your character can speak, read, and write Common and Terran.

Air Genasi

Ability Score Increase: You can increase one Ability Score by 2 and another Ability Score by 1.
Creature Type: You are an Elemental.
Size: You are Medium or Small. You choose the size when you select this race.
Speed: Your walking speed is 30 feet.
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 discern colors in that darkness only as shades of gray.
Primordial Talent: Choose one of the following skills to be proficient in: Acrobatics, Athletics, Nature, or Survival.
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 also 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 these spells when you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this race).
Languages: Your character can speak, read, and write Common and Auran.