Genasi
Aug 9, 2018 0:41:11 GMT -6
Post by Amanojyaku on Aug 9, 2018 0:41:11 GMT -6
Genasi, or sometimes just genies, are a race of lesser elementals that form in pockets of what the philosophers of old referred to as the pure elements of creation, or occasionally when mortals decide to procreate too close to one. The result is a humanoid elemental, or rather, an elemental that thinks it's humanoid. Some greybeards like to think that the Genasi were the prototypal warrior race, seeded across the Wheel by the Syrneth; reports of elemental kill-squads appearing from out of nowhere in Pandemonium to hold the Aboleth forces at bay during the War of Monster's Fall seem to support this idea.
They aren't, however, religious or bloody-minded enough compared to Aasimar or Tieflings to cause concerns about a third side joining the endless Blood War. In fact, they're too generally undisciplined for the Aasimar's liking, while Tieflings consider them to be too hidebound and unfun. Genasi sit squarely in the middle, where they can comfortably poke fun at anyone they please.
Physical Characteristics
Average Height: 1.7-2.1m
Average Weight: 60-105kg
Languages: Trade, Primordial
Common Personality Traits: Capricious, haughty, impulsive, passionate, quixotic
Common Physical Traits: Glowing eyes, tron lines, elemental displays, sculpted build, echoing voice
Example Names: Ashling, Emere, Undine, Ifrit, Set
Racial Statistics
Characteristic Bonus: +1 to Charisma or Constitution
Skill Bonus: +1 to Crafts and Arcana
Power: Elemental Kindred: Choose one of the following options.
- Flame-Kin: Gain +4 to initiative, and your weaponless unarmed strikes deal E damage instead of I damage.
- Gale-Kin: Gain +2 to Static Defense, and a free raise on Acrobatics tests.
- Root-Kin: Gain 2 additional Hit Points, and a free raise on Medicae tests.
- Stone-Kin: Gain +1 Resilience, and a free raise on tests to avoid being forced to move or knocked prone.
- Tide-Kin: Gain the Amphibious trait and a free raise on Athletics tests.
Size: 4
Racial Feats
Inika [Genasi]
It's a bit hard to say why, but your veins glow just a little bit brighter than most other Genasi. You cast light like a torch at all times, and it takes a bit of effort just to get it down to bearable levels. This energy seems a bit like electricity, enough so that you can zap someone who touches you senseless. Gain the Stunning Fist feat.
Jini Nuva [Genasi]
Genasi tend to follow the logic of "if you're good at something, you can still do better." Gain +1 to the Characteristic associated with your Elemental Kindred (but not one gained through Weird-Kin), as follows: Flame-Kin get Charisma, Gale-Kin get Intelligence, Root-Kin get Wisdom, Stone-Kin get Constitution, Tide-Kin get Strength, Heart-Kin get Fellowship, Steel-Kin get Willpower, and Void-Kin get Composure.
Suli-Jann [Genasi, Paragon]
The three great elements are rare to find even among genasi, who only manifest in the purest pockets of them. Choose one of the following options. You may choose one of the following in place of your normal Elemental Kindred choices.
- Heart-Kin: Gain Aura equal to your Excellence, and a free raise on all Social tests.
- Steel-Kin: Gain Armor equal to your Excellence on all body locations, and a free raise on Grapple or Disarm actions.
- Void-Kin: Gain +5 Mental Defense and +3 Resolve. You do not need to breathe and can survive without a voidsuit in the vacuum of space.
Weird-Kin [Genasi]
You are not a pure elemental, but the synthesis of two. Choose an additional Elemental Kindred (Flame-Kin, Gale-Kin, Root-Kin, Stone-Kin, Tide-Kin). You gain the benefits of that Elemental Kindred. You can't take this with the Kid hindrance.
Physical Qualities
Genasi are of roughly the same size and proportions as Humans, though they tend toward broader physiques. A Genasi's body looks as though it was literally carved or sculpted from some hard material, etched with shallow energy lines (that the Genasi themselves refer to as veins) that glow in a color associated with the element that particular Genasi manifests, or a mix of colors in the case of weird-kin. The energy lines on a Genasi's body appear in a pattern that is common between family members and sometimes between Genasi that spawn from the same elemental deposit. The specific configuration of energy lines on each Genasi's face is distinctive, much like how fingerprints differ between other mortals; even if the Genasi's manifestation changes, the energy lines on its face stay the same. Most Genasi tend toward clothing that bares a large portion of skin, so as to show off the energy lines etching their bodies.
Genasi skin tones and "hair" also vary depending on which element is manifested. They don't have actual hair, mind; the substance that covers their heads during different manifestations is just an expression of their elemental nature.
Much like Aasimar, Genasi aren't usually born; they usually spawn fully-formed from a deposit of elemental energy left too long exposed to the Warp, or something. "Natural" Genasi come into existence as young adults, though this doesn't last as long as an Aasimar or Tiefling might enjoy it; Genasi rarely live longer than 50 years, and if they do, no longer than a century. They come into existence with full knowledge of the exact time allotted to them, and make a point of enjoying every second.
Playing a Genasi
Genasi rarely lack confidence, seeing themselves as equal to almost any challenge in their path. This certainty might manifest as graceful self-assurance in one Genasi and as arrogance in another, and such self-confidence can sometimes blind them to risk. Their great plans often get them and others into trouble. Even in Genasi, too much failure can chip away at one's sense of self, and so Genasi constantly hone their talents, pushing themselves to improve.
Individual Genasi, though, tend to have personality traits stereotypical of the element they manifest. The flame-kin tend to be passionate and reactionary, while the stone-kin are stoic and unemotive. The tide-kin might have narcissistic tendencies and mercurial temperaments, the root-kin are patient and nurturing, while the gale-kin are proud and flighty. Other elements tend to be so rare that most cutters don't notice common traits, and Genasi with multiple manifestations tend to think of themselves has having multiple personalities.
Genasi Heroes
Ghorn is a tortured flame-kin, body scorched from within by eldritch fire until his sanity was stripped away. All his existence is pain, all he has left is the knowledge that someone, somewhere on the Wheel caused him this insanity, and when he finds that poor sod maybe - just maybe - he can end the torment by giving it back. Until then, though, he can't help but cause as much pain and fire as he can, regretting it in increasingly rare moments of lucidity.
Flazzard is a living paradox, kin to both fire and ice split neatly along the meridian. This strange being seems to take commands from an unknown demon lord, serving as marshal to a brigade of other, less weird elementals, with an emphasis on pragmatic cruelty. Should you come across a crystal sphere in which the flames roar amidst supercooled rains, be wary, as Flazzard might be near.
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