Genasi

Earth, Water, Fire and Air Genasi (from Left to Right)

## Overview

Genasi are human-derived planetouched infused with the power of the elements, most often as the result of crossbreeding between humans and the powerful genie races or other elementals that dwell in the Elemental planes. Physically powerful and cunning, genasi are a varied race with
abilities that depend on their lineage and individual experience.

## Physical Description

Genasi are physically similar to humans in many ways, standing between
5'7" and 6'2" on average, just slightly taller than the average human.
Weighing between 130 and 225 lbs on average, genasi areoften also a
fair bit heavier, though not significantly so. In all other ways, genasi are very distinct from their human cousins.
Genasi are in a constant state of elemental energy, having no "neutral"
 state they could fall back on. Each genasi has a native elemental
state, known as a "manifestation", which was passed down to them through
 their ancestry. A few learned to master more than one manifestation. Unlike many planetouched races, genasi generally take pride in their unusual features.

Regardless of their elemental manifestation, each genasi's body was
etched with strange lines of energy that glowed in a color associated
with the element that the genasi was currently manifesting. These lines appeared in a pattern that was passed along family lines, sometimes
extending into small communities as well. Though the patterns could be
similar between relatives in a general sense, the specific
configurations were unique to each individual and served much the same
purpose that fingerprints did amongst humans; the pattern of these lines
 remained unchanged even when a genasi changed their manifestation.

Genasi possess a lifespan comparable with humans, reaching 75 years on average barring accident or violence. Some members of the race live as long as 90 or 100.

## Psychology

Because of their roots in the powers of the Elemental Chaos, genasi are
 by nature changeable and contradictory, meaning most generalizations of
 the race are hard to justify. However, it is probably fair to say that
the psychology of a genasi often depends vastly on what elemental
manifestation is manifested by the individual in question and many
genasi who could manifest in more than one way think of themselves as
possessing multiple personalities.

Elves make strong and uplifting friends. Most elves love simple
joys such as dancing, singing, footraces, or contests of skill. Elves
find a natural aversion to that which they see as uninteresting tasks
and are fun-loving by nature. However, despite how unpleasant some
things such as war can be, elves can become grimly serious if a threat
to their friends, family, or livelihood makes such actions necessary.

Genasi have a strong ability to adapt, perhaps only superseded by
humans in this regard, and embrace change as an inevitability or even
something to be relished. Even lawful genasi embrace this change, and
genasi of all kinds value the possibilities the future might bring,
such as new allies or new opportunities. In many ways, genasi are the
most flexible of races, less stubborn and more willing to accept new
ideas for better or worse.
Though genasi could be extremely passionate in a way that might
seem violent, the race as a whole has a love for family and friends, to
the point that few genasi marriages end in divorce. Most genasi
families are immensely large and the genasi as a whole look upon
every genasi as a potential relative to the point of referring to those
they meet as "brother", "sister", or "cousin"

## Culture

Genasi as a culture, likely due to the inherently chaotic nature of
their psyche and bodies alike, have a strong affinity for change and
chaos. Many genasi philosophers recognize that all of the race had the same origin in crossbreeding, believed that their race was originally created as a compromise between the chaos of the primordials and the divinely crafted world of the gods. A few genasi take this to heart and try to eliminate one or the other
 aspect of their nature, either becoming agents of chaos or disciples of
 order, but these individuals are considered the exception rather than
the rule. Most genasi are simply grateful for the innate connection to
the elemental forces that shaped the world they all share.

Genasi culture is shaped in many ways by ambition and pride among
the race. Genasi everywhere strive constantly to improve their lot in
life and the race is inherently competitive both within itself and with
 other races. As a result, genasi nations tend to be extremely
meritocratic by other races' standards but lack stability as a
consequence. A genasi might be a revered leader one week, only to fall into ruin the next. This has its advantages though and few, if any, genasi look
down upon members of another class since any pauper could, in theory, be
 king the next time the genasi meets them. Genasi culture likewise has no
real concept of nobility or royalty. From a genasi political perspective
 there are only genasi on the rise and those on the decline. This
constantly changing nature means genasi have a very different view of
their current situation than most races. Unfortunate genasi find it
difficult to feel pessimistic, since they truly believe things will
change for the better. Likewise, genasi in positions of prestige and
power never forget that all their success could be undone at any moment

### Magic and Religion

Because of their elemental origins, genasi usually favour elemental magic over other forms of the Art, which they have a particular skill for given their natural elemental abilities. Of those who practice arcane magic, wizards are the most common and such individuals usually focus their efforts
 on researching ways to tie their spells into their manifestations.
Though genasi often lack the discipline typical of many wizards they
make up for this with a surprising degree of accuracy. For this reason, they also make excellent sorcerers.
As a rule, genasi are not as dogmatic as other races and tend
to worship less devoutly and more privately. Most religious genasi have
small shrines in their homes and worship whenever they feel like it. As such, few genasi are truly attracted to the faiths of lawful gods with their rigid schedules and highly organized churches

### Art and Leisure

Genasi art is wild and exciting, similar to the race itself. Genasi
prefer elaborate and bold designs, using bright and vibrant colors to
 express the wide range of emotions they feel. Sculptures are often
explosive in appearance, resembling surges of power more than anything
else. Even for relatively simple or functional items, the genasi pour
care into giving it a flamboyant appearance, marking it with swirling
patterns, gemstones, or elaborate carvings.

Due to the meritocratic nature of genasi society, it should come
as little surprise that genasi artisans often see their craft as a means
 of obtaining prestige. These individuals desiree nothing more than to
be in high demand and so work hard to please their customer base. For
this reason, many genasi often substitute actual excellence for
customization and individuality and while the average genasi swordsmith
might not compare with his dwarven counterpart in terms of quality the
genasi would work much harder to tailor the blade to his or her
customer's specific needs and wants. This could go so far as to make
genasi-crafted items seem uncomfortable or unwieldy in the hands of
those they were not intended for.

Genasi love most forms of recreation, particularly competitive
ones that allowed them to improve their standing among other races. Most genasi prefer recreational activities that are active
and physical, allowing them to release their impulses and wilder urges.
Physical competitions, particularly those of strength, are common in
genasi society and frequently practiced during festivals or other
celebrations.
Because of their chaotic and spontaneous nature, genasi are not
predisposed towards team athletics and prefer sports that favor the
 individual. Genasi are particularly fond of gladiatorial sports, which
 allow them to bask in the attention of others while simultaneously
releasing pent-up passions. Games that feature genasi are often wild
spectacles, loved by crowds.

### Race Relations

Although most genasi were descended from the powerful genie races (most often the dao, djinn, efreet, and marid),
 most genasi have no contact with their elemental forbears. Usually,
genies look down upon genasi as bastard half-breeds and rarely respond positively to one they meet. However, when among the mortals,
genasi take great pride in their distinctive features and abilities.

Genasi as a whole have no longstanding animosity towards other races, at least not intentionally. Humans of Calimshan
 however, were often oppressed slaves who must obey the whims of their
genasi masters, meaning that though genasi did not necessarily see
humans worldwide as an enemy, the antagonism between those within
Calimshan was high. However they share a fair amount of distrust with the dragonborn but it is not accurate to say that the
genasi race as a whole regard either dragonborn or humans as their
enemies, nor vice versa. In fact, many genasi and humans get along extremely well, owing to the
many psychological similarities between the two races and races that
enjoy the company of humans are likely to befriend genasi as well.

## Notable Genasi

### Notable Genasi Individuals

There are no notable Genasi Individuals at this time.

### Notable Genasi Clans

There are no notable Genasi Clans or Tribes at this time.