Plane-Touched

[ArcaneDesperado]

 

Genasi

 

Genasi are a rare race to see outside of their isolated region of Alahan on the eastern region of the continent. For thousands of years their existence was thought to be nothing more than myth and stories to scare travelers away from the area. However with the expansion of technology, travel has become much easier to this areas. As such more sightings of the reclusive Genasi people have become more commonplace. The Genasi rebuke many of the technological advancements as they still cling deeply to the worship of the Titans. The old religion is a massive part of Genasi culture, as the race has a incredibly strong bond to both the natural world and the Umbra. Young and juvenile unbonded Genasi bear a striking resemblance to Elves or Humans and are said to be descendants of Suli that choose to live on the Material Plane. The strong bond the race ties to the Umbra and the spirit world leaves unbonded Genasi with a glowing translucent skin that slowly expands over their entire body as they age. A Genasi left unbonded will live up to between eighty to a hundred years similar to humans while Bonded Genasi have been known to reach up three to four hundred years old.

 

 

Once a Genasi reaches maturity (generally around the age of fifteen) they are eligible for what is known as the Rite of Bonding. This ritual is time of celebration and pride in Genasi settlements. Little is known to outsiders regarding the religious process behind the bonding. What is known however is the end results. Generally taking over the course of a week, sometimes more, a young Genasi offers up their body to an elemental spirit. The Elemental that will choose the host is unknown at the time of the ritual however certain Elementals generally seem to favor certain personality traits over others. Fire Elementals may seek those with quick tempers while Water Elementals might look for persons with incredible patience. The bonding process is said to be painful both mentally and physically.
 

The sacrifice however is welcomed by the faithful. With the ritual complete the Genasi host and the elemental spirit form a symbiotic connection and for all purposes become a new single creature. A Genasi's physical characteristics at this point will dramatically change generally taking on some sort of appearance that indicates the elemental that dwells within. Examples include Earth-Bonded Genasi whos skin takes a more hardened and cratered tone, or Air-Bonded Genasi who seem to have hair that always seems to blow slightly even when there is no breeze present. These characteristics also seem to strengthen and become more dominate as the Genasi ages.

 

Many legends of the Genasi imply that the most elder and gifted of Genasi upon dying actually transcend their mortal shells and become new elementals themselves. This also makes them incredibly powerful warriors to behold, as they can wield the power of Elementals through their own hands naturally without the use of Arcanum

 

As the Rite of Bonding is a integral part of Genasi life and passage, those that choose to forgo the process are generally shunned by the rest of their society. Even worse however are those that undergo the ritual and instead are refused by any elemental from joining with them. To be rejected by any Elemental what so ever is to be rejected by the Umbra itself, and therefor the Old Gods. While being rejected fully is rare, it has happened before. Genasi that have been rejected by the Umbra normally take their own lives in sorrow or flee their village in shame. Just as uncommon are Elementals that represent the Feywild or Darkmoor. Beings that seem to plant-like in nature, or composed of pure shadowy miasma. These pairings are viewed by Genasi society as a marking of a major event. Be it a natural disaster, a war, the death of a great leader, or the the birth of a grand hero yet unknown.

 

Genasi (Unbonded) Racial Traits

+2 Dexterity, +2 Charisma, –2 Wisdom: Genasi are graceful and elegant, but can also sometimes be irrational or wild.

Medium: Genasi are Medium creatures and have no bonuses or penalties due to their size.

Normal Speed: Genasi have a base speed of 30 feet.

Low-Light Vision: Genasi can see twice as far as humans in conditions of dim light.

Keen Senses: Genasi receive a +2 racial bonus on Perception checks.

Elemental-Like Immunities: Elves are immune to magic sleep effects and gain a +2 racial saving throw bonus against enchantment spells and effects.

Poison Resistance: A Genasi has a racial bonus on saving throws against poison equal to its Hit Dice.
 

Deep Breath: Genasi require less air for breathing than normal humanoids. Genasi are considered to have the Deep Breath Feat regardless if they meet the prerequisites  or not. 

 

 

 

 

Changeling

Offspring of Desero's Children of the Feywild.  

In their natural form, changelings are slender and pale with pitch-black eyes and silver-white hair. A changeling can alter its physical appearance with a thought. While this can be used to deceive others, it is a natural form of expression for the changeling. A changeling shifts shapes the way others might change clothes. A casual shape—one created on the spur of the moment, with no depth or history—is called a mask. A changeling mask can be used to express a mood or to serve a specific purpose and then never used again. However, many changelings develop identities that have more depth. They build an identity over time, crafting a persona, with history and beliefs. This focused identity helps a changeling pinpoint a particular skill or emotion. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fetchling

Offspring of Hypnos' Children of the Darkmoor

Tall and slender and with well-defined musculature, fetchlings look like statuesque humans of unearthly beauty. Their hair, eye, and skin colors resemble unnerving versions of their Yokai parent’; many possess a ghastly pallor, particularly in the sunlight, while those with dark complexions often possess skin the color of a bruise. While many fetchlings can pass as humans in ideal conditions, their features are inevitably more pronounced and they move with an unnaturally fluid grace. All fetchlings have elongated incisors. While not true fangs, these teeth are sharp enough to draw blood, and many suffer a reprehensible desire to indulge in sanguinary delights, despite the fact that the act provides most no physical benefit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tiefling

Simultaneously more and less than mortal, Tieflings are the offspring of mortals and fiends. With otherworldly blood and traits to match, Tieflings are often shunned and despised out of reactionary fear. Most Tieflings never know their fiendish sire, as the coupling that produced their curse occurred generations earlier. The taint is long-lasting and persistent, often manifesting at birth or sometimes later in life, as a powerful, though often unwanted, boon. Despite their fiendish appearance and netherworld origins, Tieflings have a mortals capacity of choosing their fate, and while many embrace their dark heritage and side with fiendish powers, others reject their darker predilections. Though the power of their blood calls nearly every Tiefling to fury, destruction, and wrath, even the spawn of a fiend can become a saint or an unsuspecting hero.

 

Aasimar

Aasimars are mortals with a significant amount of Celestial blood in their ancestry. While not always benevolent, Aasimars are more inclined toward acts of kindness rather than evil. Aasimar heritage can lie dormant for generations, only to appear suddenly in the child of two apparently mortal parents. Most societies interpret Aasimar births as good omens, though it must be acknowledged that some Aasimars take advantage of the reputation of their kind, brutally subverting the expectations of others with acts of terrifying cruelty or abject venality. “It’s always the one you least suspect” is the axiom these evil Aasimars live by, and they often lead double lives as upstanding citizens or false heroes, keeping their corruption well hidden. Thankfully, these few are the exception and not the rule.

 

 

Edited February 26, 2023 by ArcaneDesperado (see edit history)