Genasi (Alternative)
Genasi are folk who have been touched by one of the four primordial elemental planes: water, earth, fire and air. They often embody the traits of the element itself, both in physical appearance and in personality. All genasi have innate magical abilities stemming from their connection to the primordial chaos.
Planetouched people
Genasi come about when a child is born in a place where a particular elemental plane is more closely tied to the material plane, such as near a leyline or near powerful elemental conduits such as volcanos, oceans, mountains, or canyons. The development of civilized settlements diminishes a location's connection to the primordial elements. Because of this, genasi tend to only be born in undeveloped areas, and as such are quite rare. Genasi may also be born to a parent whose ancestor consorted with a powerful elemental spirit, such as a Djinn or Efreet. Genasi are most often born to non-genasi parents, but they themselves have a heightened chance that their children will also be born genasi.
Elemental attunement
Genasi are blessed with a natural connection to one of the four elements. This connection makes them more attuned to that element, understanding how the element behaves, and granting them an innate ability to magically manipulate that element. Genasi who spend time focusing this talent can learn to cast a variety elemental spells using their body as a natural focus.
Primordial Nature
Genasi often have personalities which reflect their connected element. Because of the way that they come about, they do not have a collective homeland or culture. However, it is not unusual for genasi of a particular element to find each other throughout their lives and form cliques and communities due to their generally similar personality traits. Air genasi traders often form caravans with one another, earth genasi sometimes pool their efforts to complete large construction projects, there exist some performing troupes that include more fire genasi members than other folk, and water genasi craftsmen often seek each other out to exchange notes and collaboratively hone their skills.
Unlike other planetouched races such as tieflings, genasi are often well regarded by other folk. This is in large part because their natural elemental talents are viewed as a blessing, and many use their talents to bring prosperity to their community. However, genasi of opposing elements (fire opposes water, earth opposes air), sometimes don't get along with one another due to their dissimilar natures.
Genasi Traits
As a genasi, your character has some traits which are common among all genasi:
Ability Score Your Constitution score increases by 2. Genasi are naturally resilient due to their planar connection.
Age Genasi reach adulthood around the age of 20 and can live to up to 100 years.
Size Genasi tend to be similar in size and weight to humans of the same age. Your size is Medium.
Speed Your walking speed is 30 feet.
Language You speak Common as well as Primordial. Primordial is the language of the elemental chaos, and has four different dialects, Terran, Aquan, Ignan, and Auran. These dialects are mutually intelligible. Though genasi are born by chance in the material plane, they have an innate understanding of the Primordial language. Your character speaks the dialect of Primordial which is associated to their particular element.
Natural Spellcasting Starting at 3rd level, you learn one of the spells listed in the Genasi Spells section below. You must choose a spell from the section associated with your genasi subrace. You choose an additional spell to learn when you reach 5th level. You can choose at most one 2nd level spell from this feature. Your spellcasting ability for these spells is your choice of Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma.
Both of the spells you learn from this feature can be cast once, without requiring material components. Once you cast a spell with this feature, you cannot cast that spell in this way again until you finish a long rest. You can also cast these spells using spell slots if you have any.
Subraces There are four Genasi Subraces, one for each of the four primal elements. Choose one subrace for your character.
Note: Ability score bonuses are provided to suggest the natural talents of most members of a race. With your DM's permission, you can apply a total of three bonus points to your character's ability scores in any way you choose (assigning no more than two to a single ability score), rather than using the suggested bonuses of your race/subrace.
The physical description, personality, and known languages of a race are the assumed traits for most D&D settings. Your DM may alter any of these traits to better fit the race with their campaign setting. Be sure to ask your DM how your character's race fits into their setting.
Water Genasi
Water genasi tend to be as persistent as water itself. They typically figure out their passions early in life, and follow the path of least resistance which allows them to pursue this passion. Because of this, Water genasi are often masters at one particular skill or trade, sometimes to the detriment of other skills.
Water genasi artisans, academics, and craftsmen are renowned for the patience with which they perfect their art. Water genasi warriors are known for their calculating style, waiting for the opportune moment before making a decisive strike.
Water genasi are thought to be patient and calculating, but also sometimes too perfectionist or overly idealistic.
Water genasi typically have blue or green skin, and their wavy hair often has the colour of seafoam. Some water genasi have hair or skin which always appears damp or dewy.
Ability Score Your Intelligence score increases by 1.
Aquan Ancestry You can breathe underwater and have a swim speed equal to your walking speed.
Natural Cantrip You learn either Shape Water or Acid Splash (You choose when you receive this feature). Your spellcasting ability for this spell is your choice of Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma.
Earth Genasi
Earth genasi are often rigid in their thinking. They don't typically enjoy travelling far, and they often enjoy being an integral part of their community. They often take pride in knowing that their friends and neighbours rely on their efforts.
Because of this, earth genasi often become farmers, innkeepers, and builders. Earth genasi warriors often adopt a guarded stance, goading the enemy to lower their guard and make the first move.
Earth genasi have a reputation of being somewhat stubborn or inflexible, but also very dependable and loyal to those they consider as their community.
Earth genasi hair and skin range in colour of greys, muddy reds, browns, and black. Earth genasi are occasionally born with metallic stripes of gold, green, red, or silver in their hair.
Ability Score Your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Terran Ancestry You can move through difficult terrain made of earth or stone without expending extra movement.
Natural Cantrip You learn either Mold Earth or Blade Ward (You choose when you receive this feature). Your spellcasting ability for this spell is your choice of Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma.
Fire Genasi
Fire genasi tend to experience emotions more intensely than other races. Many develop new interests quickly and then lose interest within a few months and move on to new pursuits.
These traits have led many fire genasi to have successful careers as musicians, poets, performers, and orators. Fire genasi warriors typically attempt to overwhelm their opponent's guard with a flurry of rapid strikes early, ending the fight before the opponent prepare themselves.
Fire genasi are thought to be hotheaded and fickle, as well as passionate and empathetic.
Fire genasi are born with pale yellow skin and bright orange hair. As they age, their skin turns more orange and their spiky hair turns deeper shades of red, sometimes with streaks of pale blue or white. Elderly fire genasi have skin the colour of embers, with faded reddish grey hair.
Ability Score Your Charisma score increases by 1.
Ignan Ancestry You have resistance to Fire damage. You are also unaffected by extreme heat (DMG p.110)
Natural Cantrip You learn either Control Flame or Produce Flame (You choose when you receive this feature). Your spellcasting ability for this spell is your choice of Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma.
Air Genasi
Air genasi tend to be posessed by a strong wanderlust during their adolescence. It is rare to meet an air genasi over the age of 19 who is within a week's journey of where they were born, or who has lived in the same place for more than a year. Because of this, air genasi tend not to lay down roots, and tend to make friends only with others who travel frequently.
These traits make air genasi good traders, surveyors, and diplomats. Air genasi warriors tend to be skilled at maneuvering on the battlefield, dodging and feinting before striking where the opponent least expects it.
Some people view air genasi as detached or aloof, but they are also thought to be generous and kindhearted.
Air genasi tend to have blue or pink skin, and tend to have curly grey or white hair.
Ability Score Your Dexterity score increases by 1.
Auran Ancestry Your walking speed increases by 5 feet. Additionally, the duration that you can hold your breath is doubled.
Natural Cantrip You learn either Gust or Thunderclap (You choose when you receive this feature). Your spellcasting ability for this spell is your choice of Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma.
Genasi Spells
Genasi can channel their elemental connection in order to naturally manifest magical effects. The variety of spells that genasi may naturally cast reflects the diversity of the genasi themselves.
Note: With your DM's permission, you may choose a spell which does not appear on the list for your chosen genasi subrace. The spell must be of 1st or 2nd level and you should provide your DM with justification of how your character manifests the spell using their associated element. For example, you and your DM may agree that your water genasi character can cast the Shield spell by quickly conjuring a sheet of ice to block an oncoming attack.
Water
- Fog Cloud
- Ice Knife
- Create/Destroy Water
- Armor of Agathys
- Hold Person
Earth
- Earth Tremor
- Pass Without Trace
- Catapult
- Spike Growth
- Earthen Grasp
Fire
- Burning Hands
- Heat Metal
- Scorching Ray
- Flaming Orb
- Aganazzar's Scorcher
Air
- Feather Fall
- Gust of Wind
- Levitate
- Jump
- Warding Wind