Genasi (Species)

*“Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain.” ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War*

**Genasi** are the descendants of both mortals and elementals. Infused with the power of the Elemental Chaos, they are physically powerful and cunning, often living as hermits.

The Genasi have a supernatural connection to a specific element and the power to induce hallucinations. They are proud individuals with temperaments and abilities that are varied depending on their lineage and individual experience.

Contrary to what one might think, Genasi are not descended from Djinn. Though genasi *are* considered to be cousins and possess a similar ability to induce hallucinations.

Genasi are born human, though after they undergo the first manifestation, they are forever changed.

## History

The origins of the genasi, as with all supernatural creatures, is difficult--if not impossible--to place. Some genasi themselves believe that they are descendants of travelers to Earth from the Elemental Chaos and they consider djinn to be their kin.

The first genasi are recorded to have appeared in the Middle East and Eurasia, though Africa seems to have its own fair share of genasi legends. Additionally, there are certain native legends in Alaska and parts of northern Canada that describe "men of storms" walking among us.

A mated pair of fire genasi is known to have been targeted by the **Order of St. George** in Chicago in 1871, where they was believed to have started the Great Chicago Fire.

An ice genasi is thought to have been behind the Summer Snow in the Black Forest during World War I; the resulting snow proved disastrous for the Allied line and they suffered horrible losses.

**The Hoffman Institute** discovered that a lightning genasi was the cause of the Northeast Blackout of 1965, which resulted in a major electrical disrupting throughout the North American eastern seaboard.

### Breeding & Transformation

Genasi can breed with humans and other genasi. The type of genasi that results from such a pairing does not necessarily *have* to be that of the genasi parent(s). The manifestation has as much to do with the individual as it does their genetics.

When they are born and through adolescence, genasi appear to be completely human. However, starting around puberty (though it can occur at any time), their abilities can be activated. Sometimes this occurs when the genasi is exposed to a large amount of their manifestation; other times it is the result of a near-death experience; other times still it is the result of exposure to magical energies.

## Nature & Psychology

Genasi are great lovers of art and music, regardless of their manifestation or place between order and chaos. More orderly genasi tend to appreciate art with clean lines, clear geometry and beautiful structure. Chaotic genasi tend to fall in with art that is more experimental, open to interpretation and difficult to place within a genre.

## Characteristics

### Appearance

Genasi are physically similar to humans in many ways, though they tend to stand slightly taller. Their eyes, hair and skin, which looks relatively human most times, though they can flare a color--such as bright red, green, blue, and so on--depending on their manifestation in times of stress. They can flare this elemental state as a show of aggression.

Regardless of their manifestation, all of a Genasi's body is etched with strange lines of energy that glow in a color associated with the associated element. They refer to these lines as *szuldar*.

### Elemental Manifestation

All genasi have a primary elemental manifestation, which not only separated genasi into subraces but also play a major role in their culture and psychology. The most common manifestations by far are ones that are related to the four classical elements--air, earth, fire and water--though others certainly exist. This manifestation results in a variety of traits that are visible at all times and cannot be controlled. These traits can include: hair that appears crystalline or like crackling fire, etc.

Genasi have a supernatural connection to their manifestation and can exert a certain amount of supernatural control over and immunity to this element. The more common manifestations include:

* **Concrete**
* **Dust**
* **Earth**
* **Fire**
* **Ice**
* **Lightning**
* **Magma**
* **Neon**
* **Ooze**
* **Smoke**
* **Steam**
* **Storm**
* **Tar**
* **Water**
* **Wind**

### Powers & Abilities

* **Divination:** Genasi can learn to scry using their manifested element.
* **Elemental Manifestation:** A genasi has a special attunement and affinity for a particular element. They can sense, control and absorb this energy and are not harmed by it.
* **Enhanced Durability:** Genasi are far more resistant to physical harm than a human but are not invincible.
* **Enhanced Strength:** Genasi possess the ability to physically assert themselves with ease. They can kick and throw full grown humans several feet with ease, allowing them to lift and throw weights far in excess of a human of their size.
* **Hallucination Inducement:** Genasi can induce a series of delusions in the mind of their target, forcing them to see or hear things that are not there.
* **Healing Factor:** Genasi heal faster than a normal person, allowing them to fully heal and recover in minutes, especially when exposed to their element.
* **Increased Lifespan:** A genasi can naturally live a little longer than a human; usually between 90 and 130 years old.
* **Particle Charge Manipulation:** Genasi generate great amounts of energy and force between molecules and particles around them, on them or even part of them, allowing them to generate greater kinetic energy and other forces.

### Weaknesses

* **Elemental Magic:** Magic that affects elements can be used to bind, trap or even kill a genasi.
* **Hoodoo:** Practices of hoodoo and special, blessed dust can keep a genasi away.
* **Hunter's Knife:** Can kill almost any monster.
* **Silver:** A silver knife can bypass the genasi's natural healing factor and kill them outright.

## Notable Genasi

 **Elizabeth Crowther**     | 17
 **Anderson Knox**     | 17