Also, because this bears all the hallmarks of being all written by the same guy, you don't capitalize races.
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Revision as of 06:22, 31 May 2015
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[[File:Watersoul_Genasi.jpg|150px|thumb|right|A Watersoul Genasi. Depsite what the growth on the head looks like, this is not an [[Video_games|Asari]].]]
[[File:Watersoul_Genasi.jpg|150px|thumb|right|A Watersoul Genasi. Depsite what the growth on the head looks like, this is not an [[Video_games|Asari]].]]
−
'''Genasi'''
stand on
the
line between
[[
Humans
]] and
Elementals
.
If both
of
those stand at
the
far ends on the line
, and
Archons and Genies are in between them
,
the
Genasi
are in between
the
Humans and
the
elementals
.
+
'''Genasi'''
are
the
descendants of both mortal races and elementals. Like
[[
tiefling
]]
s
and
[[aasimar]], genasi owe their existence to [[Planescape]] and "grid-filling
.
" Genasi got carried over to 4e, while the aasimar got dumped in favor of [[Deva| a new concept]]. In older editions, there was one genasi type for each
of the
Elemental (Earth, Air, Water, Fire), Paraelemental (Magma, Ooze, Smoke, Ice), Negative Quasielemental (Vacuum, Dust, Ash
,
Salt)
and
Positive Quasielemental (Lightning
,
Steam, Mineral, Radiance) Planes.
Genasi
of
the
same elemental type could look wildly different, even if they had
the
same kind of elemental ancestor. For example, one water genasi might be covered in fish-scales and have webbed hands, a second might look like a humanoid frog, and a third might be a normal human with blue hair
.
−
Like [[Tiefling]]s and [[Aasimar]]
,
Genasi owe their existence
to
[[Planescape]]
.
Like Aasimar
,
Genasi were basically born of the "grid filling" tendency of the edition
,
showing up
in
Planescape bestiaries after the Tieflings
were
originally introduced in the Planescape corebook
.
Unlike Aasimar
,
Genasi were popular enough
to
get carried over to 4e
,
whereas Aasimar got their asses dumped for
the
fallen angel-based [[Deva]]s
.
In older editions, there was one Genasi type for each of the Elemental
(
Earth
,
Air, Water, Fire), Paraelemental (Magma, Ooze, Smoke, Ice), Negative Quasielemental (Vacuum, Dust, Ash, Salt) and Positive Quasielemental (Lightning, Steam, Mineral, Radiance)
.
Even then, Genasi of the same type could look wildly different, based on what their elemental ancestor - and even if they had the same kind of ancestor, two Gensai could look very different
.
For example
,
one Water Genasi might be covered in fish-scales and have webbed hands, a second might look like a humanoid frog, and a third might be a normal human with blue hair
.
+
3.5 added a "half-elemental" template that gave some explanation as to where genasi might have come from, but still
,
most people chose
to
ignore them in these editions
.
Additionally
,
earth genasi
, in
a rare move for ''D&D'' races,
were
explicitly noted to come from non-human stock
.
Dwarvish
, to
be precise
,
which only becomes more hilarious
the
more you think about it
.
(
"When a dwarf loves his mine very
,
''very'' much
..
." Bram Rockfucker
,
etc
.
)
−
In 2e and 3e, Genasi weren't particularly popular. 3.5 added a "half-elemental" template that gave some explanation as to where Genasi might have come from, but still, most people chose to ignore them in these editions.
+
It wasn't until 4th edition that
genasi
got promoted to a full-bore playable race, in the [[Forgotten Realms]] Player's Guide. This makes sense because FR has always had a fairly substantial population of them; one of the more exotic countries spent a long time under the rule of [[Genie]]s, so there are lots of genie-blooded genasi running around. [[Dragon Magazine]] #350 even introduced the Azerblood and D'hin, genasi of dwarf/azer and halfling/djinn ancestry.
−
+
−
It wasn't until 4th edition that
Genasi
got promoted to a full-bore playable race, in the [[Forgotten Realms]] Player's Guide. This makes sense because FR has always had a fairly substantial population of them; one of the more exotic countries spent a long time under the rule of [[Genie]]s, so there are lots of genie-blooded genasi running around. [[Dragon Magazine]] #350 even introduced the Azerblood and D'hin, genasi of dwarf/azer and halfling/djinn ancestry.
+
Genasi got a 5e update in the Elemental Evil campaign, appearing in both the Princes of Elemental Evil adventure book and the "Elemental Evil Player's Companion" web-enhancement. Which can be found [[http://media.wizards.com/2015/downloads/dnd/EE_PlayersCompanion.pdf|here, if you want to chase it]].
Genasi got a 5e update in the Elemental Evil campaign, appearing in both the Princes of Elemental Evil adventure book and the "Elemental Evil Player's Companion" web-enhancement. Which can be found [[http://media.wizards.com/2015/downloads/dnd/EE_PlayersCompanion.pdf|here, if you want to chase it]].
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==In 4e==
==In 4e==
−
Genasi are easily
recognisable
: though of similar built to humans, they tend to be slightly taller and broader in build. That's not their most distinct feature; their skin is of a most definitely non-human color, ranging from brown to blue, purple, red and pretty much anything you can mention. Their skin is also marked with a pattern of lines called ''szuldar'', with the patterns of blood relatives looking somewhat alike. Some amongst them display their lines with pride, wearing clothing that [[PROMOTIONS|exposes a good amount of skin]]. Genasi have no hair, though certain manifestations have crystaline growth on their heads.
+
Genasi are easily
recognizable
: though of similar built to humans, they tend to be slightly taller and broader in build. That's not their most distinct feature; their skin is of a most definitely non-human color, ranging from brown to blue, purple, red and pretty much anything you can mention. Their skin is also marked with a pattern of lines called ''szuldar'', with the patterns of blood relatives looking somewhat alike. Some amongst them display their lines with pride, wearing clothing that [[PROMOTIONS|exposes a good amount of skin]]. Genasi have no hair, though certain manifestations have crystaline growth on their heads.
−
[[File:Corrupt_Genasi.jpg|300px|thumb|left|Caustic, Cinder, Plague and Void Abyssal Genasi.]]Every
Genasi
has an elemental manifestation, which largely determines their character;
Firesoul Genasi
are passionate in everything they do, whereas
Earthsoul Genasi
are more contemplative. Pretty much every elemental cliché you know is reflected onto them. Though they are born with only one, some
Genasi
obtain different manifestations during their lives. Them doing so depends on their environment: a
Firesoul Genasi
that spends a lot of time with
Watersoul Genasi
is likely to develop a water manifestation. This tends to happen around adolescence and young adulthood, and though the first change between manifestation can be an uncomfortable, painful and sudden event (nice puberty analogue there, [[WotC]]), over time the
Genasi
comes to control the new manifestation. Nearly all of those who develop an additional manifestation have a clear barrier between the two: though there are some who embrace the strife between their manifestations, and become Elemental Tempests. The most common
Genasi
are those who share a manifestation with the four classical elements: Earth, Fire, Water and Wind. A common fifth manifestation is the Storm, because everybody likes lightning. A darker aspect of the
Genasi
is derived from their association with the Elemental Chaos. Because it
is tainted with
the Abyss, sometimes a
Genasi
will be born with a corrupt manifestation, and carry the touch of the Abyss with them for the rest of their lives. These are the Caustic, Cinder, Plague and Void souls, twisted versions of the Water, Fire, Earth and Wind manifestations. Lightning doesn't get one.
+
[[File:Corrupt_Genasi.jpg|300px|thumb|left|Caustic, Cinder, Plague and Void Abyssal Genasi.]]Every
genasi
has an elemental manifestation, which largely determines their character;
firesoul genasi
are passionate in everything they do, whereas
earthsoul genasi
are more contemplative. Pretty much every elemental cliché you know is reflected onto them. Though they are born with only one, some
genasi
obtain different manifestations during their lives. Them doing so depends on their environment: a
firesoul genasi
that spends a lot of time with
watersoul genasi
is likely to develop a water manifestation. This tends to happen around adolescence and young adulthood, and though the first change between manifestation can be an uncomfortable, painful and sudden event (nice puberty analogue there, [[WotC]]), over time the
genasi
comes to control the new manifestation. Nearly all of those who develop an additional manifestation have a clear barrier between the two: though there are some who embrace the strife between their manifestations, and become Elemental Tempests. The most common
genasi
are those who share a manifestation with the four classical elements: Earth, Fire, Water and Wind. A common fifth manifestation is the Storm, because everybody likes lightning. A darker aspect of the
genasi
is derived from their association with the Elemental Chaos. Because it
touches on
the Abyss, sometimes a
genasi
will be born with a corrupt manifestation, and carry the touch of the Abyss with them for the rest of their lives. These are the Caustic, Cinder, Plague and Void souls, twisted versions of the Water, Fire, Earth and Wind manifestations. Lightning doesn't get one.
In [[Dark_Sun|Dark Sun]] they have different manifestations, namely Ember, Magma, Sand and Sun.
In [[Dark_Sun|Dark Sun]] they have different manifestations, namely Ember, Magma, Sand and Sun.
−
The
Genasi
are a highly emotional race. A desire for [[Tzeentch|change]] is deep-rooted in the race, to the point that even [[Alignment|Lawful Good]]
Genasi
embrace the idea of change. Genasi society is small due to the nature of the Elemental Chaos, yet highly dynamic. It is rare to find a
Genasi
that held the same position for several years, or in some cases, even months. You rise and fall in the eyes of a
Genasi
based on merit and ambition, but nothing lasts forever, and you'll quickly need to find something to keep proving yourself. In comparison to other races,
Genasi
settlements know few paupers and less to no permanent poor folk, for a near-impossible ability to feel pessimism and a constant drive to improve one's lot in life quickly restores one's social standing. (as Cruijff would say: "If you're at the bottom there's only one way you can go: up.") The idea of nobility and royalty is foreign to the
Genasi
, as one's position could be undone at any moment. The downside to this view is that the
Genasi
don't look to the future, they only know that it'll be different, embracing it whatever it may be.
+
The
genasi
are a highly emotional race. A desire for [[Tzeentch|change]] is deep-rooted in the race, to the point that even [[Alignment|Lawful Good]]
genasi
embrace the idea of change. Genasi society is small due to the nature of the Elemental Chaos, yet highly dynamic. It is rare to find a
genasi
that
has
held the same position for several years, or in some cases, even months. You rise and fall in the eyes of a
genasi
based on merit and ambition, but nothing lasts forever, and you'll quickly need to find something to keep proving yourself. In comparison to other races,
genasi
settlements know few paupers and less to no permanent poor folk, for a near-impossible ability to feel pessimism and a constant drive to improve one's lot in life quickly restores one's social standing. (as Cruijff would say: "If you're at the bottom there's only one way you can go: up.") The idea of nobility and royalty is foreign to the
genasi
, as one's position could be undone at any moment. The downside to this view is that the
genasi
don't look to the future, they only know that it'll be different, embracing it whatever it may be.
−
As is to be expected from their wild and competitive nature,
Genasi
love competitive sports that focus on the individual, like feats of strength, tests of arms, or in extreme cases, gladiatorial combat. Whereas another master craftsman (for example, a [[Dwarf|
Dwarven
]] smith) might make a weapon that is of great quality, a
Genasi
craftsman prefers to tailor-make every item to the needs and wants of a customer, a
Genasi
-made blade is perfect for an individual person. Likewise,
Genasi
works of art are [[Slaanesh|vibrant, bright items that express the wide range of emotions of the artist]].
+
As is to be expected from their wild and competitive nature,
genasi
love competitive sports that focus on the individual, like feats of strength, tests of arms, or in extreme cases, gladiatorial combat. Whereas another master craftsman (for example, a [[Dwarf|
dwarven
]] smith) might make a weapon that is of great quality, a
genasi
craftsman prefers to tailor-make every item to the needs and wants of a customer, a
genasi
-made blade is perfect for an individual person. Likewise,
genasi
works of art are [[Slaanesh|vibrant, bright items that express the wide range of emotions of the artist]].