Genieborn

Genieborn, sometimes called genasi, were a rare lineage of Planetouched Mortalkind in Somnum. They could be born as "purebred" to a male and female genieborn parent, but just as often appeared in the households of non-Elemental families without any warning. No consistent cause had ever been found for their births; some scholars claimed they were the result of dormant Genie bloodlines resurfacing after many generations, while others suspected the lingering mark of a planar shift or the effect of a bargain made by an ancestor. Such theories remained unproven, and no record or testimony had ever fully explained which pattern persisted.

Physically, most genieborn were similar in stature to Humans, but would resemble the structure of their parents if born of another lineage. Their weight could vary wildly depending on their Elemental Realms lineage. They tended to live somewhat longer lives than their parentage, but purebred genieborn often outlived a century. Their skin, hair, and eyes were wildly influenced by the amount of magic within them, ranging from typical humanoid features to pure elements. These traits varied greatly depending on the strength and nature of their heritage, with some looking only faintly touched by the elemental planes while others appeared wholly otherworldly.

In Somnum, genieborn were treated with a mixture of curiosity and fear, though their reception varied widely depending on local custom. Even among cultures familiar with their kind, the arrival of an genieborn child to unsuspecting parents was often seen as a great omen, but it was unknown if the child would bring prosperity or chaos. Their mystique prompted many families to send the child away to distant relatives or to the care of a temple, where their elemental nature would be better understood.

Their marked childhoods shaped much of their upbringing; many grew into adulthood with an intrinsic sense of pride and spontaneity, walking through a world less magical than themselves. They formed close bonds with others like them when chance allowed, finding kinship in their physical marking, but the sheer rarity of such meetings made such bonds unlikely. Even compared to Angelborn and Devilborn, genasi were rare. As a result, the perception of genieborn in most societies was one of wonder; whether by nature or nurture, they were considered a curiosity by many, especially if their appearance was noticeably different than the surrounding smallfolk.

Genieborn inherited certain abilities that reflected their connection to the elemental planes, possessing a darkvision that let them see without light. Regardless of appearance, their bodies were attuned to the element they represented, a trait that allowed them to survive conditions that would quickly harm others. Each genieborn carried a spark of innate magic, often manifesting as minor Spellcraft or harmless display of power that reflected the temperament or nature of their heritage. Those who trained these gifts could deepen their connection to the elemental planes, unlocking greater magical abilities and learning to wield powers beyond those they had possessed in childhood.

In language, genieborn spoke whatever local tongues were most typical in their place of upbringing, and also innately understood dialects of Primordial. Mastery of this tongue allowed them to speak with others who shared their heritage, to commune with beings from the elemental planes, and to claim a cultural connection to the forces that had shaped their bloodlines. For some, learning such a language was a matter of pride and self-definition, while for others it was a practical skill born of necessity; most genieborn felt their personalities were shaped by their element, and sought to better understand the force they represented.

Names among genieborn reflected their personal histories. Those who were accepted and raised within non-genasi families often kept their given names and surnames, carrying them as a sign of connection to their kin. Ones with genieborn parentage, or simply by parents who embraced their child's magic, were given names that reflected their element. Examples of such names for Flameborn could include Ashton, Mag, or Cindra; Rockborn could be named Slate, Jewel, or Onyx; Seaborn could be named Ocean, Torrent, or Riva; or Windborn could be named Sky, Gale, or Zephyr.

Genieborn were often pushed to become adventurers, as their elemental heritage set them apart from others and sent them toward lives of action. The constitution of elemental blood shaped their choice of Adventuring Classes, meaning that genieborn were commonly found across a broad spectrum of roles. Typically, flameborn had a natural affinity for Artifice and Wizardry; rockborn could become hardy Fighters and Barbarians; waveborn made perceptive Druids and Clerics ; and windborn's natural quickness lead them to often specialize as Monks or Rogues.