The Genasi

The Elemental Planes are often inhospitable to natives of the Material Plane: crushing earth, searing flames, boundless skies, and endless seas make visiting these places dangerous for even a short time. The powerful genies, however, don’t face such troubles when venturing into the mortal world. They adapt well to the mingled elements of the Material Plane, and they sometimes visit—whether of their own volition or compelled by magic. Some genies can adopt mortal guise and travel incognito.   During these visits, a mortal might catch a genie’s eye. Friendship forms, romance blooms, and sometimes children result. These children are Genasi: individuals with ties to two worlds, yet belonging to neither. Some Genasi are born of mortal–genie unions, others have two Genasi as parents, and some even have a genie further up their family tree, manifesting an elemental heritage that’s lain dormant for generations.   Genasi inherit something from both sides of their dual nature. They resemble humans but have unusual skin color (red, green, blue, or gray), and there is something odd about them. 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, depending on the mortal parent. 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 the mortal parent (pointed ears from an Elf, a stockier frame and thick hair from a Dwarf, small hands and feet from a Halfling, exceedingly large eyes from a gnome, and so on)   There exists four different Genasi breeds, just as there are four different elements: Water, Fire, Wind and Earth.   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   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.   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.   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.