Post by Stix on Nov 6, 2005 18:11:38 GMT -5
A word about genasi:
The fundamental elemental nature of the multiverse is as much a part of a genasi as flesh and blood. The genasi are plane-touched beings, the descendants of a union of a human and an elemental creature (often a genie, hence the name genasi). These extremely rare beings inspire more distrust and prejudice than any other plane-touched, for public opinion regards them as more alien. In general, they also maintain a contempt for other races and an air of superiority that doesn't endear them to anyone.
It's often assumed that genasi of differing elements have a natural racial hatred for one another, simply by the fact of their warring elemental natures. This isn't true; a single genasi usually resents and dislikes all others of his kind, not just those of different elements. Not surprisingly, two or more genasi are virtually never encountered together, except by happenstance.
* * * * *
The endless lapping of wave after wave, the salty sea foam spraying into the air, the bottomless ocean depths with pitiless darkness and breath-stealing pressure -- these are the pieces of a water genasi's heart.
The "sea kings", as they call themselves, are the descendants of the rare offspring of a mortal and water spirit such as a nereid (the most common parent), marid, or other water elemental.
These elemental children are as unlike their brethren as they are their parents. An independence of a singular sort is bred into sea kings, giving rise to their unique outlook.
Water genasi often become the orphans of the sea, raised by neither parent but cared for by some sea creature; balaena, mermen or tritons sometimes guard these outcasts, although darker beings such as sahuagin, hydroloths, or wastriliths have been known to parent the elemental beings rather than killing them for food. Such unfortunate sods are raised by cruel taskmasters, growing into powerful servants of those who raised them.
Those raised by more neutral or kindly folk usually stay with their adoptive parents for a short time before they take to the open sea alone. There, the water genasi explore and learn on their own. During their isolation, they develop strong personalities, each different from any other genasi but always matching each other in extremes. Some exhibit traits of heroism to the point of martyrdom, while others are paranoid and peery to such a degree that a body can only assume they're completely barmy. This strong personality and extremism give them the arrogance common to all genasi. They believe themselves to be singular beings, unique to all the multiverse -- and, to some extent, they are correct.
Sea kings respect their own element first and foremost, predisposing them toward being elementalists; mages and sorcerers do happen, but are substantially more rare. Clerics, priests, paladins and favored souls must be beholden to a power of water or the sea. Their self-interested nature makes them natural fighters, rogues and spellthieves, and some embrace the romanticism of their wandering souls and take up the arts of the bard.
Water genasi always display one or more of the following physical traits:
- Blue-green skin or hair
- Blue-black eyes
- A light, very thin layer of scales covering the body
- Hair waving and swaying as though underwater
- A muffled voice resembling underwater sounds
- Cold, clammy flesh
Strength: 9 to 18
Dexterity: 9 to 18
Constitution: 11 to 20
Intelligence: 9 to 18
Wisdom: 9 to 18
Charisma: 7 to 16
Size: Medium
Base Speed: 30, Swim 40
Darkvision, 60'
Breathes water as easily as air
Create Water 1/day
+1 to saves vs. water/cold/acid; additional +1 every fifth level
-2 Racial penalty to Diplomacy, Gather Information
Favored Class: Elementalist
Male height range: 5'0" - 5'10"
Female height range: 4'10" - 5'8"
Male weight range: 150 - 230 lbs
Female weight range: 100 - 180 lbs
Starting age range: 21 - 50
Lifespan: 120 years
The fundamental elemental nature of the multiverse is as much a part of a genasi as flesh and blood. The genasi are plane-touched beings, the descendants of a union of a human and an elemental creature (often a genie, hence the name genasi). These extremely rare beings inspire more distrust and prejudice than any other plane-touched, for public opinion regards them as more alien. In general, they also maintain a contempt for other races and an air of superiority that doesn't endear them to anyone.
It's often assumed that genasi of differing elements have a natural racial hatred for one another, simply by the fact of their warring elemental natures. This isn't true; a single genasi usually resents and dislikes all others of his kind, not just those of different elements. Not surprisingly, two or more genasi are virtually never encountered together, except by happenstance.
* * * * *
The endless lapping of wave after wave, the salty sea foam spraying into the air, the bottomless ocean depths with pitiless darkness and breath-stealing pressure -- these are the pieces of a water genasi's heart.
The "sea kings", as they call themselves, are the descendants of the rare offspring of a mortal and water spirit such as a nereid (the most common parent), marid, or other water elemental.
These elemental children are as unlike their brethren as they are their parents. An independence of a singular sort is bred into sea kings, giving rise to their unique outlook.
Water genasi often become the orphans of the sea, raised by neither parent but cared for by some sea creature; balaena, mermen or tritons sometimes guard these outcasts, although darker beings such as sahuagin, hydroloths, or wastriliths have been known to parent the elemental beings rather than killing them for food. Such unfortunate sods are raised by cruel taskmasters, growing into powerful servants of those who raised them.
Those raised by more neutral or kindly folk usually stay with their adoptive parents for a short time before they take to the open sea alone. There, the water genasi explore and learn on their own. During their isolation, they develop strong personalities, each different from any other genasi but always matching each other in extremes. Some exhibit traits of heroism to the point of martyrdom, while others are paranoid and peery to such a degree that a body can only assume they're completely barmy. This strong personality and extremism give them the arrogance common to all genasi. They believe themselves to be singular beings, unique to all the multiverse -- and, to some extent, they are correct.
Sea kings respect their own element first and foremost, predisposing them toward being elementalists; mages and sorcerers do happen, but are substantially more rare. Clerics, priests, paladins and favored souls must be beholden to a power of water or the sea. Their self-interested nature makes them natural fighters, rogues and spellthieves, and some embrace the romanticism of their wandering souls and take up the arts of the bard.
Water genasi always display one or more of the following physical traits:
- Blue-green skin or hair
- Blue-black eyes
- A light, very thin layer of scales covering the body
- Hair waving and swaying as though underwater
- A muffled voice resembling underwater sounds
- Cold, clammy flesh
Strength: 9 to 18
Dexterity: 9 to 18
Constitution: 11 to 20
Intelligence: 9 to 18
Wisdom: 9 to 18
Charisma: 7 to 16
Size: Medium
Base Speed: 30, Swim 40
Darkvision, 60'
Breathes water as easily as air
Create Water 1/day
+1 to saves vs. water/cold/acid; additional +1 every fifth level
-2 Racial penalty to Diplomacy, Gather Information
Favored Class: Elementalist
Male height range: 5'0" - 5'10"
Female height range: 4'10" - 5'8"
Male weight range: 150 - 230 lbs
Female weight range: 100 - 180 lbs
Starting age range: 21 - 50
Lifespan: 120 years