Air Genasi

The Air Genasi are the least numerous of the Genasi, taking refuge in their desert home of Kahrahj, a mercantile state ruled by 8 Trade Princes and their associated Trade Houses and the mysterious yet universally feared and obeyed High Zephyr, who rules autocratically over the populous and has done so for as long as any care to remember.

The Air Genasi are often maligned as greedy, ostentatious and frivilous, with almost no moral codes to speak of beyond the acquisition of knowledge, power and vast wealth, leading the nation and its people to become reclusive and distrustful of one another and outsiders too, though they are often rumoured to meddle in the affairs of other nations with a deft hand in order to further their interests.

## Physiology

The Air Genasi stand on average around 6ft tall, with corporeal bodies ranging from a hard, porcelain like skin that rings hollow, to condensed air bound magically into a humanoid form. Skin and hair tones can vary from shades of grey, to shades of white, blue, black, purple and any colours associated with the sky, clouds or atmospheric phenomena. While many genasi have physical, flesh-like bodies that take on typical male, female or more androgynous appearance, those who are more magically inclined may choose to allow themselves to become unbound and more primally reverted as a show of magical mastery and control, manifesting as swirls of clouds and storms, though this is rare and unadvised, as Primal Reversion is a dangerous and destructive return to the species' roots as mindless soldiers, clashing with any that dare oppose them in a fearsome display of elemental force, though it is thought that a measured form of this is used in magical reproduction and synthesis of new Genasi souls.

Air Genasi can possess hair, and it varies from whisps of cloudlike formations to solid, mammalian-like hair in a similar variety to mortal species in terms of texture, colour and form.

Alike all Genasi, the Air Genasi are functionally immortal due to their elemental nature and age incredibly slowly, at roughly 3 human years for every one genasi year until they reach adulthood at around 70-90 years, at which point aging slows to a near stop.

The Genasi cannot reproduce physically, only magically, or through reincarnation, though reincarnation needs to be induced via unknown ritual to create a new host body for a given elemental essence. The Air Genasi, unlike others of their kin, have all but outlawed reproduction due to the nature of their societal organization and the threat that recurring heirs would have to their economic structures. As such, they are fewer in number and tend to be older than others of their kin.

The Genasi as a race also possess the ability to recall memories from past incarnations. This can happen almost at random, or can be induced through life experiences akin to deja vu, divine aid, ritual practice or near death experiences.

## Society

Air Genasi society is governed by almost no moral codes, making it an incredibly liberal and unchained nation in terms of magical practice and in regards to ethical quandries, however, their regard for trade and the protection of monetary and related interests beckons the Air Genasi to wear masks, veils and other facial coverings in order to mask their identities akin to other classical mercantile societies, however, now with the added connotations that being seen without a mask is akin to nudity or a display of vulgarity, with the only Genasi avoiding this label being Speaker Merlaut of the House of Ballads, who uses her 'nakedness' to aid in her celebrity status and to avoid judgement. The Air Genasi however have happily adapted to this, blending their masks in with their other ostentatious clothing, often having them heavily gilded or enchanted to some degree as a display of wealth and status.

Air Genasi society is ruled by a council of 8 Trade Princes, the heads of the 8 Trade Houses that float above Kahrahj on magically suspended stone pillars, torn from formations in the Kahrasheer Desert surrounding the city, answering only to the High Zephyr, who rule is supreme and undisputed despite never being directly seen by anyone less than a Trade Prince or their personal attendants in the Palace of the Eight Winds. It is the aspiration of many Air Genasi to be inducted into one of the Trade Houses through display of their talents and to rise through its ranks, ensuring their comfort, protection and further indulgence in luxuries and pleasantries such as extravagant balls and travel to far off lands. This is not uncommon, but is often a dangerous business due to the competitive and cutthroat nature of the roles.

Having virtually no birth rate and low death rate means that the Air Genasi have a stagnant, aging population, though immortality prevents this being much of an issue. However, as the threat of reincarnation is too high due to deeds to land and property being able to be claimed across lifetimes, they have adopted the often regarded as unethical practice of Soul Imprisonment of the dead, murdered or executed in constructs, vessels and often everyday objects for use as free labour and slavery, though this is a strictly kept secret to outsiders. Notable among these are the Gryphon Constructs that patrol the city alongside guards, the humanoid Servant Constructs that aid in shopfronts, dining rooms and kitchens, and the lesser constructs such as Vacuum Cleaners or enchanted scribe tomes such as that of Asiir, whom she has called Evelyn.

## Religion

The Air Genasi have no official state religion, though feel an almost religious devotion to the High Zephyr and their rule. Being elementals, the Air Genasi are aware of the cycle of their species, reincarnating infinitely provided they can be recalled to the physical plane of Tessia from the elemental plane.

## Naming Conventions

Air Genasi have no surnames, only forenames, though have been known to distinguish themselves from others by use of titles, accolades, achievements, professions and other descriptors, with the more outlandish the better.

Some examples of Air Genasi names are;

* Asiir
* Merlaut
* Vana
* Aurleone
* Evelyn

## Historical Notes

The Air Genasi have lived in isolation for aeons, venturing out into the mortal world only to trade, acquire knowledge and to meddle in their affairs for their own benefit. As such, their presence is regarded by many in Alexandria as a bad omen despite there being no currently known proven examples of Air Genasi meddling in Alexandrian business.

The Air Genasi were neutral and remain so both before, during, and post the Age of Monsters.

## Trivia

* At present, the only explicit example of Air Genasi going to war with another species was during the Scouring of Nessumset.