Efreet

The Efreet are ancient, elemental genie (also referred to as elemental spirits or demons) born from the raw forces of creation, dwelling within the vast expanses of the Elemental Planes. Manifesting in the Prime Plane only where the barriers between realms are weakest, they appear most frequently near the Elemental Realms—The Sun Realm, The Earth Realm, The Sea Realm, and The Air Realm—each home to a different, distinct species of Efreet.

Efreet are notoriously cunning and malevolent, often appearing as omens of natural disasters, such as wildfires, earthquakes, tempests, and tsunamis. Though feared for their capricious and destructive tendencies, they are also deal-makers, striking perilous bargains with mortal kings and rulers to extend their presence in the Prime Plane. Should an Efreet be slain outside its home realm, it is banished, forcibly returning to its elemental plane where it must claw its way back to power. It is believed that the Efreet are descendants of the Elementari, whose essence was channeled back into the Elemental Planes by the Unknown during The Planar Rapture.

Each of the four species of Efreet is intrinsically tied to a specific element, influencing their powers, demeanor, and physical form.

Species of Efreet

1. Solzaharan (Sun/Fire Efreet)

• Habitat: Sun Realm, particularly in volcanic landscapes like the Fields of the Frenzied Flame and the Forlorn Flames of Fyrashan. Notably, the Solzaharan have constructed one of the only known civilizations of Efreet upon the prime plane -- Sol'Zahir. They are spawned from the Plane of Ignis.
• Appearance: Towering, humanoid figures wreathed in flame, their bodies shifting between molten obsidian and living fire. Their eyes burn like miniature suns, and their laughter crackles like the embers of a dying fire.
• Abilities: Masters of fire and combustion, they can incinerate entire cities with a gesture. They are responsible for unnatural heatwaves, infernos, and solar flares (Sun-Rifting).
• Temperament: Wrathful and prideful, they view themselves as divine sovereigns of destruction, often demanding mortal veneration in exchange for power.
• Known Deals: Have served fire-worshipping cults, tyrannical warlords, and sultans who seek to wield their infernal power.

2. Tremorak (Earth Efreet)

• Habitat: Earth Realm, deep within the Spine of the World or in the bellows of the Underhollow. They are spawned from the Plane of Gaian.
• Appearance: Hulking creatures formed of cracked stone, gilded metal, and shifting sands, with runes glowing like magma across their colossal bodies. Their voices rumble like earthquakes.
• Abilities: Commanders of tectonic forces, capable of shaping mountains, shifting continents, and summoning landslides (Earth-Rifting).
• Temperament: Unyielding and calculating, they see the Prime Plane as clay to be molded, and often test the will of mortals through trials of strength and endurance.
• Known Deals: Have served stone cults, mountain kings, and warring giants who sought dominion over the land itself.

3. Drekaris (Water Efreet)

• Habitat: Sea Realm, lurking beneath the waves of the Atlan Ocean, particularly in places like the Lagoon of the Leviathan and Crescent Island. They are spawned from the Plane of Aquos.
• Appearance: Their liquid bodies shift between crashing waves and sleek, serpentine forms, with glowing abyssal eyes and skeletal, coral-like armor.
• Abilities: Masters of tides, storms, and drowning despair, they can summon tsunamis, manipulate the ocean, and siphon the life from seafarers (Water-Rifting).
• Temperament: Cold and enigmatic, they are known to whisper through the depths, luring sailors into their watery embrace with promises of hidden knowledge.
• Known Deals: Have served drowned kings, pirate lords, and forgotten deep-sea cults who wish to command the ocean’s power.

4. Stratosir (Air Efreet)

• Habitat: Air Realm, dwelling in the highest peaks and tempest-wracked skies near The Skybound Shardlands and The Storm-Shattered Straits. They are spawn from the Plane of Zephyron.
• Appearance: Their bodies are composed of turbulent storm clouds and crackling lightning, shifting between a humanoid form and a swirling vortex.
• Abilities: Commanders of tempests, whirlwinds, and celestial currents, they can shatter cities with storms, call forth hurricanes, and control the very air itself (Ether-Rifting).
• Temperament: Unpredictable and mercurial, they are the most difficult to bargain with, as they often act on whims rather than any tangible goals.
• Known Deals: Have served sky-lords, airship captains, and desperate storm-riders who seek dominion over the skies.

Engagements of the Efreet

Despite their fearsome presence, Efreet cannot exist on the Prime Plane indefinitely without a tether. To remain, they must forge pacts with mortals, binding themselves to a contract in which they offer power in exchange for servitude, worship, or sacrifice.

However, all bargains with Efreet come at a terrible price—their promises are rarely straightforward, and their gifts often lead to ruin.

Some scholars claim that the first great calamities of the world were caused not by gods or war, but by mortals who struck reckless bargains with the Efreet.